Sligo development side pick up another win at home to Corinthians

Last Sunday, Sligo hosted Galway Corinthians in another potential top-of-the-league clash. This game had added significance to Sligo as this was a re-fixture due to Corinthians’ inability to field earlier in the season. Such occurrences from senior clubs are always viewed with suspicion of the reason for the no show. The afternoon was ideal for a good game of rugby with little wind and dry underfoot. Corinthians kicked off but immediately gave away a restart as the ball did not go the required ten metres. This gave the Sligo pack the chance to demonstrate their strength to the visitors and the front row of Gormley, O’Boyle and Tansey with a back row made up of Sexton, Heath, Berlin and driven by captain McMorrow, gave an assured welcome to Corinthians driving them off the ball and gaining an early penalty.

A sure-footed Gavin kicked to touch. The Sligo line-out, improving with each game, won the ball and the pack drove forward forcing Corinthians to give away a penalty. Enda Gavin stepped up and put Sligo on the scoreboard 3-0 after 15 minutes. The first half of the game was played primarily in the Corinthians half but Sligo were unable to break down a solid Corinthians defence and, after sustained pressure, a further penalty was awarded to Sligo, Gavin raising the score to 6-0. The Sligo backs marshalled by an ever-alert Stuart O’Brien, delivered a crisp ball out to his backs but at times the final pass went astray. But after 30 minutes their perseverance was rewarded with fine work from full-back Gerrity scoring an unconverted try – score now 11-0. The Sligo pressure continued on Corinthians try-line and just before half-time Corinthians gave up a penalty which gave Gavin the opportunity to finish the half with a score from his boot to make it Sligo 14 Corinthians 0.

The second half saw a more aggressive Corinthians side using their colossal back-row players to make ground and after a period of sustained attack, the Sligo line was broken with a finely worked Corinthians try, which was converted to make it Sligo 14 Corinthians 7. Corinthians sensed a change in the Sligo resolve and maintained the ball in the Sligo half, but this time unable to further break the Sligo defence.

After a Sligo attack into the Corinthians half, a penalty was awarded to Sligo giving Gavin another opportunity to put more light between the two battling teams in this arm-wrestle of a game. Sligo 17 Corinthians 7. The final ten minutes saw a Sligo side defend well but concede a penalty for Corinthians, leaving the final score at 17-10 to Sligo.

Coaches Paddy Pearson and Roger Burrows were both pleased with another hard-earned win and Pearson, in an unusual end of game feedback, was full of praise for all his charges in the passion and perseverance shown on the pitch. Sligo’s development squad now look forward to a well-earned short break, but need to be mindful of the next fixture on January 8 at home to Creggs.

Sligo Team: Mark Gerrity, Matt Kavanagh, Gavin Foley, Sean Mullin, Clive Morris, Enda Gavin, Stuart O’Brien, Thomas Gormley, Ross O’Boyle, Michael McMorrow (captain), David Cawley, Jake Sexton, David Heath, David Bergin, Gary Conneely, Gerard Kearney.

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