Summerhill College Sligo made a winning start to Rugby’s Connacht Senior Schools Cup on Wednesday with a 13-8 victory over St Muredach’s College, Ballina, at Hamilton Park in Strandhill.
Recent weather made pitch and playing conditions challenging but Summerhill established a 5-0 half-time lead thanks to a first-half try from Clyde Regan.
Muredach’s responded well after the break a scored a levelling try, which their play deserved.
However, momentum swung Summerhill’s way once again and a converted try in the closing quarter helped steer the Sligo school to victory.
Muredach’s kicked a penalty on the stroke of full-time to pick up a losing bonus point.
Summerhill are in a four-team Pool 1 along with Garbally College and last year’s beaten finalists, Coláiste Iognáid (The Jes).
Current holders Sligo Grammar School begin their group stage on Thursday against Roscommon CBS.
The Grammar are in a three-team Pool 2, which also includes Marist College Athlone.
The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the Schools Cup semi-finals.
Wednesday, Jan 11th
Connacht Senior Schools Cup – Pool 1
Summerhill College 13 St Muredach’s College 8
Thursday, Jan 12th
Pool 2
Sligo Grammar School (holders) v Roscommon CBS
