Sligo U13s got their cup campaign off to a winning start coming out 21-15 victors over a strong Corinthians team in Hamilton Park on Saturday 18th of March. The team had trained diligently since the end of the league with an eye to this Cup opener having succumbed to the same opposition at Hamilton Park 24-10 earlier in the League.
On a heavy pitch with a light drizzle the game kicked off with the heavier Corinthians pack benefitting from a knock on to camp for the opening 10 minutes on Sligo’s line. The Sligo team were obviously ready for anything that came there way and repelled several attacks beforefinally conceding a try wide out to go down 0-5. Cue the restart and man of the match Jack Dennison scything through the Corinthian’s defence off a planned move set up beautifully by out half Sean Garavan who’s distribution was excellent all day. Accurate kicker David Keyes added the extras.
Encouraged by this Sligo swept the ball wide from the kick off with Jack Dennison once again the beneficiary in the corner and Sligo went in at half time 14-5 up courtesy of David Keyes adding the conversion. After half time a fumbled Corinthian’s restart provided possession to Sligo. A solid front row of Teddy Kilgallen , Cathal Shovlin and Ross Clarke gave livewire scrumhalf Sean Keane good quality ball which he brought down the blindside. The back row of John Mackey, Matthew Ryan and James McDermott recycled quickly and Jack Dennison swept past Coronthian’s for the third time to do down under the posts. James McDermott added the conversion to a strong display.
With 10 minutes to go Corinthians swept up the blindside evading a number of tackles from a tired Sligo to close the gap to 21-10. Sligo were showing the effects of a heavy pitch after a huge effort against a bigger team and Corinthians came back quickly for another try out wide g to bring the score to 21-5. Sligo showed resilience to bring the game to a successful close spending the last 10 minutes tackling with Ben O’ Brien, Hugo Filan , Cathal Morahan and Andrew Barlow showing the way in a wonderful defensive effort.
Jake McNiff in action against Ballina in an U15 Challenge Game
