Sligo Grammar complete Connacht Senior Cup hat-trick

The Sligo school came through a thrilling final with Marist College, Athlone.

Connacht Rugby Senior A Schools Cup Final, Dexcom Stadium, Galway 13/3/2024

Connacht Senior Schools Cup final: Marist College, Athlone 18 Sligo Grammar School 29 

Sligo Grammar School have won their third Connacht Senior Cup title in a row after a thrilling encounter with Marist College Athlone at Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Wednesday evening.

The sides were deadlocked at half-time with Marist College coming out fast from the blocks in the second half to take the lead. But Sligo Grammar grew into the game, scoring tries from Quentin Moughty, Liam McNamee Mas and Gareth McGinty, with Mark Tempany adding three conversions.

It was a nervous start with both sides making handling errors. Sligo Grammar had the majority of the possession but were unable to convert it on the scoreboard.

The first score of the game came from a turnover at the breakdown by Marist College who earned a penalty just inside Sligo Grammar’s half on the ten metre line. Charlie O’Carroll stepped up and slotted between the posts to give the Athlone side a 3-0 lead.

Sligo Grammar responded with a running break down the line and a patient build-up from the forwards working the ball across the five-metre line until the hard-working co-captain Dylan McCloat burrowed his way over the line. Mark Tempany added the conversion to give Sligo Grammar a 7-3 lead after 18 minutes.

Sligo were finding space down the outside with Jack Draper making a breaking run down the line before passing to Gerard Murtagh and Jack Deegan but Marist College earned a penalty at the ruck with Sligo Grammar holding on.

Marist grew into the game and off the back of a lineout James Clarke found Daniel Reid who passed out to Lorcan McCormack who made his way over the line only to be held up by Sligo's Dara Holmes.

Marist College finally got their breakthrough after Liam McNamee Mas turned over the ball and broke the line to pass to the oncoming Gerard Murtagh to bring play to Sligo Grammar's five-metre line. The forwards patiently worked the opening to allow Otega Awhinawhi find his way over the line. O’Carroll added the conversion to take a 10-7 lead after 28 minutes.

From the kick-off Sligo Grammar worked a penalty for offside with Tempany slotting over to level the scores 10 apiece.

Marist College came out of the traps quickly in the second half with O’Carroll stepping up to kick a penalty after eight minutes to make it 13-10.

Sligo Grammar responded with a well-worked team try from their own half which saw Gareth McGinty find Murtagh who passed to Quentin Mougthy to cross the line with Tempany missing the conversion leaving the score 13-15.

Sligo’s dominance was now total and their third try was another well-worked score from full back Liam McNamee Mas. The conversion from Tempany left it 22 -13.

Sligo Grammar were over the line again when full-back Gareth McGinty crossed, with Tempany stepping up again for the conversion, 29-13.

Marist College added their second try in the 77 minute from substitute Rian Claffey but O’Connell failed to convert to leave the final score 29-18.

Scorers for Marist College: Tries: M Hunter, R Claffey Conversion: C O’Carroll (1) Penalties: C O’Carroll (2) 

Scorers for Sligo Grammer School: Tries: D McCloat, Q Moughty, L McNamee Mas, G McGinty Conversion: M Tempany (3) Penalties: M Tempany(1) 

MARIST COLLEGE: A Henson, L McCormack, T Cotton, T Sheehan, D Reid, J Clarke, C O’Carroll, K Blessing, E McMickan, J Heaslip, M Fallon, C Kelly, P Egan, O Awhinawhi, N Tallon (c) 

Replacements: M Molloy, M O’Sullivan, S O’Connor, K Byrne, T Bourke, R Claffey, C Naughton C Dowling, K Mahon, M Turner, S MacCarthy 

SLIGO GRAMMAR SCHOOL: G McGinty, D Holmes, G Murtagh, E Norris (CC), J Draper, M Tempany, J Kilcoyne, J Deegan, W Draper, A Platt, D McCloat (CC), L McNamee Mas, Q Moughty, M Hunter, D O’Connell Replacements: S Fallon, A Devine, I Marsden, K Mojekwu, B Bamber, A Ryan, B O’Connor, L Mavrak, A Lawlor, A Deegan, J Winters O’Donnell 

Referee: C Roddy Connacht Schools 

Connacht Schools Senior C Cup final: St Gerald’s College 53 Rice College Westport 27 

Connacht Schools Senior B Cup final: Coláiste Bhaile Chláir 27 Presentation College Athenry 36 

Connacht Junior A Schools Cup final: Marist College Athenry 22 Sligo Grammer School 22