Sligo opened their 2020/2021 competitive season in the Energia Community series, with a 33-14 win over Buccaneers at Dubarry Park, Athlone on Saturday.
The newly-established series sees Sligo in a regionalised conference with the other
Connnacht senior clubs in a home and way scenario, with the winners earning a semi-final
spot in the prestigious Bateman Cup.
With Buccaneers residing in All Ireland League division 2A, and Sligo in 2B, the midlanders
would have been considered favourites to prevail, but Sligo produced a strong
performance and were well-deserved winners on the day.
Sligo’s defence was strong with Brian West prominent, and after 3 minutes the error was forced. Jack Keegan collected a loose pass and raced in from the 10meter line to dot down right off the posts. Euan Brown added the extras.
Buccaneers responded and levelled the scores after 10 minutes with a converted try from a
lineout maul.
Sligo bit back and reclaimed the lead with fifteen minutes gone. Diarmuid O’Dowd Hill
secured the lineout, the maul was driven forward and Matthew Earley finished off with a
well-deserved try. Brown again converted.
Buccaneers again tried to respond and made their way into the Sligo danger zone. An
attacking scrum looked likely to yield a score but a huge effort from the Sligo forwards, led
by Kuba Wojtkowicz and Pedro Bengaló, dominated the home scrum, turned over
possession for Sligo and the seven-point lead was brought into the interval.
Following the resumption, Sligo continued to press knowing that the next score was significant. A long cross field kick from Brown was collected by Ryan Feehily on the 22. From the resulting ruck, Brown collected, chipped over the onrushing defence, raced through and collected the ball before racing to the corner to dot down.
Sligo were now on top in all facets of play and were hunting for the bonus point. From a
scrum in midfield, Brendan Cunningham fed Enda Gavin, who combined with Keegan, to
open up the home defence. Keegan linked up with Brown, who raced to the line for his
second and Sligo’s fourth of the day. Another successful conversion from Brown pushed
Sligo’s total to 26.
To cap the scoring Sligo added a fifth try with 15 minutes remaining. Another well-secured
lineout, this time taken by the excellent Adrian Cummins, was mauled to the line and James
O’Hehir was on hand to touch down. Brown again converted to put the game beyond
Buccaneers’ reach.
Sligo rang the changes, giving well-deserved rests to Craig Trimble, Mata Fifita and Bengaló,
who all brought a huge level of physicality to the contest, but were ably supported by Michael McMorrow, Christian Nielsen and Ross O’Boyle when brought into the fray. Buccaneers scored a consolation try with a couple of minutes remaining but the day belonged to Sligo and when the long whistle sounded the Yeats county men were celebrating.
Next week Hamilton Park will play host to Galwegians in round 2 of the Energia series. Sligo
will be looking to continue in the same vein and back up their excellent start. The match
kicks off at 2.30 on Saturday.
Sligo: Guilherme Coghetto, Ryan Feehily, Jack Keegan, Enda Gavin, Hubert Gilvary, Euan
Brown, Brendan Cunningham, Kuba Wojtkowicz, James O’Hehir, Pedro Bengaló, Craig
Trimble, Adrian Cummins, Mata Fifita, Brian West, Diarmuid O’Dowd Hill. Reps Matthew
Earley, Ross O’Boyle, Michael McMorrow, Christian Nielsen, Franco Di Meglio.
Energia Community Series – Connacht Conference
Buccaneers 14 Sligo 33
Galway Corinthians 41 Ballina 20.
