Men’s Firsts 22 – Sligo 24

A last gasp stoppage time try for Sligo denied Galwegians the chance to claim their first Connacht Senior Cup since 2015 in the Final played in Creggs on Sunday.

Having recently done the double over Sligo in the AIL, the Blues came into this game determined to earn some silverware, however they met a resurgent Sligo side who have hit form at just the right time, and both sides served up a cracker of a final. The Blues opened the scoring in the second minute from virtually their first attack. A lightning breakdown the right by Eoghan Fahey caused the initial damage, and when play was swung wide, left winger Oisin McKey grounded the ball in the corner. Stevie Mannion nailed a perfect touchline conversion to put Wegians 7-0 to the good.

However the big Sligo pack were causing damage at scrum time and they pegged the Blues back with two early penalties from Euan Brown to make it a one-score game. Wegians were not helped by the early departure of back-row Liam Angermann, and a key moment came on 17 minutes when the Blues were awarded a penalty near their 22, only to see it reversed for needless backchat. It proved extremely costly as Sligo kicked to the corner and successfully mauled their way over, with prop and Polish international Kuba Wojtkowicz claiming the touchdown for an unconverted try and an 11-7 lead.

Galwegians were looking very dangerous particularly in the backs, and they immediately set about regaining the advantage. An excellent break up the middle by centre Rob Deacy again caused havoc in the Sligo defence, who failed to clear their lines. Once more the ball was spun wide, this time courtesy of a long looping pass by full back Darragh Kennedy who found McKey, and the left-wing dotted down again in the exact same spot for his second try at the end of the first quarter. It was also déja vú for Mannion as he split the posts once again, and Wegians were back in front 14-11.

The Blues were getting on top at this stage and although they lost another key player in scrum-half Andrew Sherlock, they would soon score a third try. Following more pressure, this time Deacy finished himself from close range after the hard yards were done by his pack, making the score 19-11. Mannion was this time uncharacteristically wide with a much easier conversion. Another penalty for Sligo came from the restart, which Brown duly knocked over to reduce the arrears to 19-14 at the break.

The second half was another closely contested affair. Wegians had an opportunity to push home when Sligo soon went down to 14 men. However they were unable to capitalise and although down a man, it was Sligo who would score next. Working their way upfield with penalties, another unconverted try from a lineout maul scored by hooker and captain Matthew Earley made the game level. With half an hour left it was all very much in the balance, with Sligo dominant in the set piece and Wegians the livelier attacking backline. The Blues dominated territory and possession in the final quarter and looked the more likely to score, however a succession of knock-ons and misplaced passes were proving costly as they were unable to add to their tally.

As the game entered stoppage time, Wegians were awarded a scrum penalty under the posts and Mannion made no mistake with what seemed destined to be the winning score. However in a cruel final twist, the Blues were penalised straight from the restart. It seemed a harsh call after the outstanding lock Oisin Halpin took a clean catch, however referee Shane Gaughan blew up for obstruction.  Sligo took their opportunity, kicking to the corner and mauling their way over, with flanker Benjamin Hynes claiming the touchdown with the last play of the game.

It was a sucker punch for the Blues and a throw back to the start of their AIL campaign when losing games in the last play. They will hope to rectify this on Saturday when they travel to Clogher Valley up North for a crunch game, as both teams eye up a promotion playoff place in Division 2B.