Egan calls the tune for Coláiste Iognáid

AN INSPIRED performance by Colm Egan, brother of Westlife’s Cian, was not enough for Sligo Grammar at the Sportsgrounds yesterday.

Coláiste Iognáid’s powerful front eight did most of the damage, allied to the strong running of captain and centre Brian Dixon and right wing Robert Butler.

But in the first-half they couldn’t stop Egan, whose passing and kicking game helped his side into a 13-3 lead midway through the opening half.

However a 10-minute period either side of the break proved crucial. Sligo lock Diarmuid O’Dowd-Hill was sin binned and the Galway school scored two tries to take a lead they preserved.

Butler and Egan swapped early penalties before the game opened up. Sligo’s Enda Gavin darted from the back of a ruck and slipped in David Heath who touched down.

Although Egan missed the difficult sideline conversion, he made amends when he raced from his line to the opposition’s 22 before putting John Healy in to finished off.

Coláiste Iognáid looked rattled but with Sligo a player down, flanker Michael Burke crossed with Butler adding the extras.

They took the lead when David Cunnane supplied Butler from a quick ruck to go over in the corner. Soaking up Sligo’s pressure Butler hit two late penalties to seal it.

In the Connacht Junior Cup semi-final, Calasanctius Oranmore overcame Marist 15-7, and will meet Rice College who beat St Joseph’s College, Galway with the last score of the game by 17-14.

COLÁISTE IOGNAID: N Murphy, R Butler, F Bourne, B Dixon, C Divilly, D Cunnane, P Power, R Brennan, R Murray, D Wilkinson, J Healy, J O’Donnell, M Burke, J Kennedy, C Murphy.

Replacements: J Dooley for Burke, P Kelehan for Cunnane, S Fallon for Brennan and R Browne for Power (all 64).

SLIGO GRAMMAR: J McGoldrick, M Martin, J Healy, K McGoldrick, M Green, C Egan, E Gavin, T Ferrari, D Rooney, B McCormack, S Boyle, D O’Dowd Hill, C Brady, C Goulden, D Heath.

Replacements: C Cooper for K McGoldrick (58), P Deering for C Goulden (65).

Referee: Karol Collins (CBIRFU).