Sligo Rugby Club claim impressive win in Rainey to stay second



Sligo strengthened their place in second spot in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League Division 2C thanks to a hugely impressive defeat of third-placed Rainey Old Boys at Hatrick Park in Magherafelt on Saturday afternoon.

A try from Conor Kerins midway through the opening half proved crucial for Sligo, as they claimed a 17-13 win in difficult conditions.

And the second team strengthened their lead at the top of the Connacht Junior 1B League, thanks to a 16-5 defeat of Corinthians in Strandhill on Sunday.

Matthew Davey got Sligo’s try, while Enda Gavin landed 11 points.

An early morning pitch inspection was needed in Rainey before the game was given the go-ahead, and Sligo started brightly with Jack Keegan landing two penalties, as Ross Mannion’s side opened up an 11 points to three half-time lead.

The home side battled back with a try of their own in the second half. And despite a third converted penalty, the gap was down to the minimum as Rainey pulled it back to 14 points to 13.

But Keegan landed another three-pointer as Sligo secured a hugely-important win, that leaves them three points ahead of Rainey, and four behind leaders Navan, with four games remaining.

Their next game is at home to Bruff in Strandhill’s Hamilton Park next Saturday, March 11, at 2.30pm.

RESULTS

Bruff 8 Navan 15

Rainey 13 Sligo 17

Boyne P Seapoint P

Kanturk P Tullamore P

Midleton P Bangor P

 

Earlier in the week, Summerhill College booked their place in a second Connacht Senior Cup final in two years.

Ross O’Boyle’s side beat Garbally College by ten points to nine in Summerhill on Thursday, to gain a measure of revenge for their defeat to the same opposition in the 2015 decider.

There was disappointment for Sligo Grammar School, however, as they lost to Colaiste Iognaid 29-7 in the other semi-final.



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