Slick Sligo capture Connacht crown

Garbally, Ballinasloe 10 Sligo Grammar School 17

Despite the phenomenal growth in schools’ rugby west of the Shannon, it was the traditional favourites who lined out for the 77th occasion of this highly-prized schools’ trophy. And on this occasion Garbally were unable to extend their tally of a record 43 wins.

As usual, the popular event attracting 600 supporters, and was a highly competitive and entertaining clash, kept alive to the dying minutes by the Ballinasloe school which had overcome a 12-3 half time deficit to get to within two points.

But in the end it was the better balanced Sligo, backed by a superior backline, who claimed the honours when right wing Aiden Blake scored a 71st minute try.

Ironically, it was only their second incursion into their opponents’ domain in a second half that was ruled by Garbally.

The Ballinasloe school, which lost the title last year to Colaiste Iognaid, seemed set to reap rewards for their determination. They mustered a try from No 8 and captain Tom O’Brien when the quick-thinking Simon Leonard took a tap penalty on 57 minutes. But they spurned four penalty attempts and several try-scoring opportunities.

Despite their early pressure, it was the Sligo school which went in at half time the better. After Sligo fullback Mark Butler missed a 14th minute penalty from the 22, centre Luis Rodriquez, on the loop with his outside partner Brian Taylor, carved the gap through the midfield and finished off a superb backline move with a burst of acceleration for a 16th minute try. Butler added the conversion to put Sligo ahead 7-0.

Five minutes later Sligo scored again when their superior backline capitalised on a tap penalty. Captain Taylor ghosted through the midfield cover from half-way for an unconverted try.

Sligo had the opportunity to extend the lead but Butler was unlucky to see his huge half-way penalty attempt bounce inches short, and it was only in first half injury time that Garbally were able to get some points on the board when centre Simon Leonard kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit to 12-3 at the break.

GARBALLY COLLEGE: C Lavelle, J Campbell, A Naughton, S Leonard, N Loughrey, E Fenton,

F Sweeeney, D Donoghue, M Carroll, A O’Hara, M Beecher, I Cullinane, P Callaghan, K McGovern, T O’Brien. Replacements: K Stephens for Carroll, K Hurst for Beecher (43m).

SLIGO GRAMMAR: M Butler, A Blake, B Taylor, L Rodriquez, C Goulden, P Gillespie, S Considine, E Aldridge, B Carson, R Boyle, B Heath,

K Williams, S Coulter, K Richardson, J Bell.

Replacement: A Gregg for Richardson (59m).

Referee: A Rowe (Connacht).