Mens Firsts 10 – Sligo 42

Galwegians had their first match in nearly a year when they got their Connacht Senior League campaign up and running on Saturday at home to a strong Sligo side.

Playing with the aid of a stiff first-half breeze, the young Wegians stared impressively and were more than a match for their much fancied opponents. The hosts took the lead on 10 minutes when out-half Adam Cunningham made a brilliant solo burst to scythe through the opposition and touch down near the left–hand corner.

The young Blues were value foot their lead, although the visitors started to gain a foothold. When awarded a penalty near the corner, they opted to kick for the posts and Euan Brown struck an excellent kick into the wind to reduce the margin. A few minutes later and Brown put his side in front when Wegians went offside in front of their posts. Both sides had chances to add to their first-half tally, with each keen to play an expansive game, but it remained 5-6 at the break. Just before half-time Sligo were reduced to 14 when Brown was binned, only for Wegians to immediately suffer the same fate when scrum-half Stephen Browne followed him for retaliation.

In the second-half Sligo went straight on the offensive, using the wind advantage to set up camp deep in Wegians territory. And following a set-play, multi phases later it resulted in a try near the left corner by Stefano Giantorno. At 11-5 the Blues were still well in the game, but the game turned a minute later when the visitors scored straight from the restart. It began with a break by Rob Holian and after some excellent handling and an interchange of passing between several players, James O’Hehir ended up scoring an excellent try on the right. Jack Keegan converted and suddenly there was daylight between the sides at 18-5.

The visitors used the wind wisely to keep Wegians pinned in their own half, and they always looked threatening with ball in hand. Try number three came on the hour mark from Enda Gavin on the left, and the bonus came soon after when another backline move saw Giantorno complete his brace to put daylight between the sides.

Both sides then rang the changes, and on 72 minutes Wegians scored an excellent second try when winger Darragh Kennedy finished off a break in style. However Sligo had the final say, demonstrating a ruthless streak to finish in style. Full-back Guilermo Coghetto scored a late brace in the final two minutes to put some gloss on the final score. That win puts Sligo in pole position to go on and seal another League title.