Rugby
Since the foundation of the school rugby has been the main sport for boys. There are several teams in the school ranging from first to sixth year. Sligo Grammar School is renowned in Connacht as a strong team historically and this has continued in recent seasons with the school enjoying great success. In both 2010 and 2014 the Seniors won the Connacht Schools Cup!
We were the winners of the Connacht League cup in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
Since 2010 Sligo Grammar School has had six players capped for Ireland. These were Aaron Spring, Danny Qualter, Thomas Ferrari, Gary McConnell, Shane Boyle and Matthew Cosgrove, Kuba Wojtkovicz and Kacper Palamarczuk.
Numerous SGS players have been capped for Connacht at U17, U18 and U19.
The rugby players have weight training twice a week as well as strength and conditioning sessions and both have proved very popular and successful for our senior squad.
Our rugby pitch was revamped in 2013 and is in great condition despite the rain! With such fantastic new sporting facilities we expect our sports teams to do us proud in the hunt for silver-ware!
2022 – 2023
What a great year for rugby in SGS! Not only did our U14, Junior and Senior Boys Teams bring home Connacht League Cups but our Senior Boys won the Connacht Schools Cup for the second year running. We also had a great run with our Senior Girls Rugby Team this year. Well done to all our Rugby players and here’s to 2024!!
U14 CONNACHT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
CAPPED FOR IRELAND
Three of our Senior boys represented Ireland in U18 Rugby. Arann Platt, Ambrose Bamber and Gerard Murtagh all started for Ireland on 2nd April in Ashbourne in the Ireland v Italy match. Unfortunately Italy came out on top, but not before Gerard Murtagh scored his first try for Ireland. Well done all!
CONNACHT SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS!
On Wednesday 22nd March the Sligo Grammar School Senior Rugby Team did the school proud as they became Connacht Schools Senior Rugby Cup Champions for the second year in a row. They beat Marist College, Athlone at the Sportsground in Galway with a final score of 28 – 7. The three tries were scored by George Barlow, Jacob Kilcoyne and Arann Platt, with all but one successfully converted by Earl Norris. Earl also kicked 3 penalties during the game. Almost 300 of their fellow students came to Galway to cheer on the squad. The supporters created a sea of blue and white and did themselves and their school proud with their very vocal and good-natured support. After the match the victorious Rugby Team stormed the spectators stand to show their appreciation of the support from their fellow students. Sligo Grammar School is immensely proud of the Senior Rugby Squad, their coaches, the supporters and the teachers and staff who generously agreed to work beyond their contract and make it possible for so many students to make the journey from Sligo to Galway.
Fixtures and Results
Connacht Schools Senior Cup 2023
Jan. 12th: SGS v Roscommon CBS – 12 – 5 (win)
Jan. 26th: SGS v Marist College, Athlone – 22 – 10 (win)
Mar. 8th: SGS v Coláiste Iognáid (Jes) Galway – 38 – 7 (win) SEMI FINAL
Mar. 22nd: SGS v Marist College, Athlone – 28 – 7 (win) FINAL
Connacht Schools Junior Cup 2023
Jan. 12th: SGS v Coláiste Iognáid (Jes) 46 – 5 (win)
Jan 25th: SGS v St. Joseph’s (The Bish), Galway 19 – 3 (win)
Mar. 2nd: SGS v Summerhill College 17 – 18 (loss) SEMI-FINAL
Connacht League Senior League games 2022
Sept 29th : SGS v St Muredach’s College, Ballina – 25 – 12 (win)
Sept 20th: SGS v Garbally College, Ballinasloe – 36 – 16 (win)
Oct 19th: SGS v Jes (Coláiste Iognáid, Galway) – 22 – 14 (win)
Nov. 18th: SGS v Summerhill College, Sligo – 22 – 13 (win)
Nov. 30th; SGS v Marist college, Athlone – 36 – 6 (win)
Dec. 19th SGS v Summerhill College, Sligo LEAGUE FINAL – 10 – 3 (win)
Connacht League Junior League games 2022
Sept 15th: SGS v Garbally College, Ballinasloe 53 – 0 (win)
Sept 21st: SGS v St. Joseph’s College Galway (The Bish) – 8 -0 (win)
Oct. 6th: SGS v Roscommon CBS – 57 – 0 (win)
Oct 19th: SGS v Jes (Coláiste Iognáid, Galway) – 65 – 12 (win)
Nov. 18th: SGS v Summerhill College, Sligo – 10 – 9 (win)
Nov. 30th: SGS v Marist College, Athlone – 18 – 23 (loss)
April 25th: SGS v Marist College, Athlone – 27 – 7 (win) FINAL
Connacht U14 League games 2022
Sept 21st: SGS v St Joseph’s College, Galway (The Bish) – 34 – 19 (Win)
Oct 13th: SGS v Marist College, Athlone – 35 – 19 (win)
Nov. 9th: SGS v Garbally College, Ballinasloe – 40 – 0 (win)
Dec. 6th Dec: SGS v Roscommon CBS – 56 – 7 (win)
Jan 25th : SGS v Summerhill College – 26 – 0 (win)
Mar. 28th: SGS v Garbally College, Ballinasloe – 56 – 0 (win) SEMI-FINAL
Apr. 19th : SGS v Marist College, Athlone – 19 – 17 (win) FINAL
Connacht Senior Girls League games 2022
Oct 4th: SGS v Ballinrobe Community School – 24 – 10 (win)
Oct 25th: SGS v Sacred Heart School, Westport – 33 – 17 (win)
Nov. 10th: – SGS v Gortnor Abbey – 21 – 14 (win)
Nov. 15th: – SGS v St. Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina – 40 – 20 (win)
Dec. 7th: SGS v Mount St. Michael, Claremorris – 10 – 53 (loss)
Feb. 28th: SGS v Mercy Convent, Roscommon – 20 – 60 (loss) SEMI-FINAL
RUGBY LEAGUE WINNERS.
On Monday 19th December Sligo Grammar School Senior Rugby Team met Summerhill College in a tightly fought Connacht Schools Rugby League Final game. After a fantastic League campaign where SGS remained undefeated, the final was played at Heffernan Park, Ballina. After conceding a penalty, SGS was 3 – 0 down until a try by Gareth McGinty was converted by Earl Norris at the rend of the first half. That left the score at 7 – 3 at half time. The second half was very evenly contested with the only score coming from a penalty kicked by Mark Tempany to leave the score 10 – 3 at full time in favour of Sligo Grammar School. This was the third successive win for SGS in the League. Well done to all the players and their coaches.
SENIOR TEAM DOES MOVEMBER 2022!
Well done to the SGS Senior Team who raised over 3,000 for Movember!
IRELAND RUGBY
photo courtesy of @CallanTansey
Well done to Ambrose Bamber and Arann Platt who were called up to the Ireland U18 Rugby Squad. They travelled to Rome on Thursday 3rd Nov. where they played Italy on Saturday 5th. The final score was 43 – 10 to Ireland, with both Ambrose and Arann scoring Irish tries. Well done to both boys.
GIRLS RUGBY
In the last couple of years there has been a growing interest among SGS girls in developing a Girls Rugby Team. This year there was a great turn-out for training and, in view of the interest shown, the school has entered the Connacht Schools Senior Girls Rugby League. Under coach Jake Sexton the team has trained hard.
Wednesday Oct. 5th
SGS Senior Girls Rugby Team played their first competitive game of the season, meeting Ballinrobe Community School at Ballinrobe RFC. After a hard-fought first half the schools were level, but the SGS girls pulled away in the second half to win 24 – 10. SGS tries were scored by Lara Clinch (2 tries), Saoirse Lawley and Anna Rose McLoughlin. Two of the tries were converted by Lara Clinch. Well done to the girls, who are truly trailblazers for Girls rugby in SGS!
Tuesday Oct. 25th:
SGS Senior girls won their second match in the Connacht Senior Girls Rugby League on Tuesday 25th October. The game was played at home against Sacred Heart School, Westport. The SGS girls won 33 – 17 with a total of 5 tries coming from Saoirse Lawley, Ellen Hunter and Lara Clinch. Lara also kicked four conversions. Photos from the match are here…
SENIOR RUGBY BONDING TRIP
On Friday 30th September the Sligo Grammar School Senior Rugby Team went on an overnight bonding trip to Limerick, arriving back in Sligo on Saturday evening. On Saturday SGS played Crescent College, Limerick, 2022 Munster Schools Cup winners. The game was played in beautiful conditions and after a very tight first half crescent led 14 – 12, SGS tries coming from Gerard Murtagh and Max Hunter with a conversion from Mark Tempany. In a furiously physical second half Sligo Grammar scored an excellent try from Earl Norris to hold on for a narrow win, 17 – 14. A very pleasing aspect to the game was how our scrum held up and, in many cases, dominated, during the game. A special word has to go to the front row players, Ross Clarke and Max Hunter in the first half and Jack Deegan in second half, and also to Arann Platt who had a simply brilliant game and gave an exhibition in scrummaging. Apart from the game, the team trained at UL and got an opportunity to use wonderful 50m pool. They also had an evening talk from past pupil, Cathal Sheridan who is Sports Psychologist to the Munster Senior Rugby Team. The trip was a great success, and thanks go to SGS Director of Rugby, Jimmy Staunton and S&C coach Séan Taylor who accompanied the team.
CALLAN TANSEY SOLICITORS SPONSOR SCT
As the school rugby season kicked off this month, Sligo Grammar School Senior Rugby Team was delighted to accept this year’s Senior Team jerseys from our main sponsors Callan Tansey Solicitors. On Friday 16th September, Niamh Ní Mhurchú and Brian Gill, partners in Callan Tansey Solicitors, presented the set of jerseys to the captain of the Senior Team, Conor Creaven. Also accepting the jerseys on behalf of the whole team were the seven members of the Senior squad who were selected to be part of the U18 Connacht Rugby Team for 2022. Ambrose Bamber, Gerard Murtagh, Earl Norris, Conor Creavan (captain), Diarmaid O’Connell, Dylan McCloat and Arann Platt, all Connacht U18 players, are pictured here with Niamh Ní Mhurchú and Brian Gill of Callan Tansey Solicitors. Also pictured is SGS Deputy Principal and Director of Rugby, Jimmy Staunton. Absent on the day was our eighth Connacht U18 player, Max Hunter. We wish the SGS Rugby Teams all the best in the coming season.
U18 CONNACHT PLAYERS 2022
Well done to 8 members of the Senior squad who were selected to be part of the U18 Connacht Rugby Team for 2022. This year an unprecedented eight players were selected from Sligo Grammar School to play for Connacht at U18 level. They were Ambrose Bamber, Gerard Murtagh, Earl Norris, Conor Creavan, Diarmaid O’Connell, Dylan McCloat, Max Hunter and Arann Platt. Well done to the boys and to their coaches who put a lot of hard work and dedication into their training over the last number of years.
2021 – 2022
Girl’s Rugby
A big congratulations to our girls U16s 7s rugby team who played 3 games on March 10th, winning 2 and drawing one to qualify for the Connacht finals in Galway on March 23. Well done girls!
Connacht Schools Cup 2022
Senior Cup champions 2022!!
Connacht Schools Cup Competition is up and running. In the Junior Cup Sligo Grammar School Junior Team drew 14 – 14 against Marist College, Athlone in the first game at home on Saturday 15th. This was a great team performance from our juniors who were up against the League Champions. Two tries were scored, one by Issac Marsden and the other by Dara Holmes, both converted by Mark Tempany. The Junior Team then played Garbally College away on Thursday 20th, winning with a score of 21 – 7. This places them in the semi-final of the competition which will be played in mid-February. Good luck to them in their campaign.
In the Senior Connacht Schools Cup Sligo Grammar School was drawn in a group with Coláiste Iognáid (Jes), Galway and St. Muredach’s College, Ballina. On January 11th SGS lost away to Jes with a score of 28 – 7. In a must-win game on 21st January at home, the Grammar School won 26 – 14, scoring four tries and therefore earning a bonus point. Their progress to the semi-final will depend on the Jes/St. Muredach’s match, and if St. Muredach’s do not earn a bonus point victory SGS will contest the semi-final. We wait with bated breath.
Connacht Schools League 2022
In the Connacht Junior League the SGS team won matches against Garbally College in September (33/0) and Roscommon CBS in October (31/12). They then went on to draw with Coláiste
Iognáid (Jes). Two games were cancelled due to Covid-19 and were declared draws. SGS Juniors made it to the Connacht semi-final, which was ultimately lost away to Marist College, the only unbeaten side in the competition. Regrettably, the U14s lost to Marist College in their first game of the season in October, but since then they have won all their games, comprehensively beating Enniskillen Royal College, Wilsons Hospital, Garbally College & Roscommon CBS. This leaves them in second place in the Connacht Schools U14 League. The remaining games will be played in the New Year. The Senior League Team played six games in the Connacht Schools League, winning four matches against Roscommon CBS, Marist College, Athlone, Summerhill College, Sligo and Coláiste Iognáid, Galway (Jes). They lost to Garbally College and St Muredach’s College, Ballina. Nevertheless the team finished in second place, and played in the League Final against Garbally on Dec 21st, winning 25 –
13! Well done and good luck in the Connacht Schools Cup! SEE PICTURES HERE
2020 – 2021
THREE OUT OF THREE
On Thursday 17th June the Sligo Grammar School Junior Rugby team played a final match against Buccaneers RFC. Athlone. This was only the third match this year due to Covid-19, but it was great to finish the 2020 – 2021 season with a competitive game. The hard work that went into training in SGS this year didn’t go unrewarded with yet another win for the Juniors. The final score was 34 – 19 to SGS. This was a complete team performance with every player doing a sterling job. Three of the touchdowns were courtesy of Gerard Murtagh. Buccaneers RFC were wonderful hosts and Sligo Grammar School are very thankful to them for that.
To view the game, click below.
A GREAT GAME OF RUGBY – AT LAST!
Today, Saturday 12th June, the Junior Boys Rugby Team played their first game of 2020 – 2021 at Creggs RFC. They played Creggs RFC U16 team for the Fitzmaurice Cup. This Cup was established to honour a former member of Creggs RFC. The SGS team had a comfortable win and it was great to get a game after the a difficult year marked by Covid-19 restrictions. Well done to all the boys and especially to Max Hunter who was named “Man of the Match”. A big thanks goes to Creggs RFC for being such wonderful hosts. The team looks forward to the game against Buccaneers RFC U16s on Thurs night in Athlone. Kick-Off at 7.30pm.
Our Senior Rugby players had a successful run this summer in Connacht Schools Rugby with six students making the Connacht Schools teams. At U19 level Matthew O’Hara, Kacper Palamarczuk, Eddie Coyle and Mark McGlynn were chosen for Connacht, while Adam Hunter also made the Connacht U18 squad. Hubert Gilvarry was selected for the Sub Academy of the Connacht professional team. Well done to the boys and many thanks to their coaches.
SGS MOVEMBER RAISES €2,300
2019 – 2020
This was an outstanding yearfor rugby at SGS. The highlight was the winning of the Connacht Schools A Senior League in December with a hard-fought victory over Garbally College. The score: 21 – 12. After conceding two tries in the opening quarter, when they were down to 14 men due to a yellow card, SGS slowly found their way back into the match, and, just before half-time, Kacper Palamarczuk broke through the Garbally defence where he was tackled by the Garbally full-back about 10m from the try line. Fiachra Staunton, in support, picked up the ball and powered over the line despite the best efforts of two Garbally defenders. The try was converted by Hubert Gilvarry. This gave SGS great hope as they started into the second half. The forwards continued to dominate with powerful carries from Matthew O’Hara, David Barlow, Seán Nee and Adam Hunter. A further try from Kacper, superbly converted by Hubert Gilvarry, put the Grammar School 14 – 12 up. For the next 13 minutes the game was mainly played between the two 22’s and some excellent rugby was in evidence despite the wind and rain. With 5 minutes to go Garbally attempted a clearance from outside the 22 which was superbly blocked down by Fiachra Staunton. Garbally retrieved the ball but Adam Hunter turned it over in the middle of the pitch and the ball was moved quickly by Jacob Fleming. a ruck developed out wide and quick thinking by Kacper saw him accelerating through a gap in the Garbally defence to score a try under the posts. A conversion by Hubert left the score at 21 – 12. Three minutes later the final whistle blew to leave the Grammar School as League Champions. While this was truly a team effort with every member playing his part, there were outstanding displays on the day. There was precision line-out throwing from James Whelan and an excellent defensive display from his brother Will. The excellent performances from Matthew O’Hara and Mark McGlynn got them an invitation to train with Connacht U19s. Well done to the team and thanks to all the fantastic supporters who travelled. Thanks especially to their dedicated coaches James Gavin, Diarmuid O’Dowd Hill and Gavin Foley.
Having won the Senior Connacht Schools Rugby League in December the Senior team was ready for battle when they came back to school in January. A fantastic 22- 14 win at home in the Connacht Schools Cup Semi Final against Roscommon CBS meant a place in the final before St Patricks Day. A wonderful season ended in heartbreak, however, as SGS were narrowly beaten 14-12 on March 11th in Galway. The squad were ably led by William Whelan and Fiachra Staunton.
Each player can be proud that they won a Connacht League and gave everything to the cause throughout the year. A huge thanks to Mr Gavin, Gavin Foley and Diarmuid O’Dowd- Hill who coached them so well throughout the year.
The juniors had a good 2019/2020 season. Still a young squad, they won 3 of their 7 League matches with victories over the Bish and Jes from Galway and St. Muredachs College, Ballina. They had some narrow defeats and were beaten by the eventual winners of the Connacht Schools Junior Cup in the semi-final of that competition. Many of the boys are back again for next season and no doubt their time will come. Well done to Captain Alastair Hill. A big thanks to Mr. Staunton and Diarmuid O’Dowd- Hill for their coaching throughout the season.
The U14s Showed great commitment during the year. They won about 50% of their matches and were well captained by Isaac Marsden. As a team-building trip they were to go see Ireland v Italy at the Aviva Stadium, but that match was unfortunately called off due to Covid19. Never fear, boys, we’ll get there in the future! A big thanks to Mr Alan Brandon and Luke Sexton for coaching.
CAPPED FOR IRELAND!
Fifth year student Kacper Palamarczuk has this week been capped for the Ireland U18 rugby team. Kacper was on the U18 Irish team that played Italy at Badia Polesine, near Venice, Italy. Kacper was selected at no 6 in the back row. Ireland was leading 19–17 with one minute to go but in the last play Ireland had a scrum and unfortunately the box kick from the no. 9 was blocked down by an Italian player who ran the length of the field to score a try, leaving the final score at 22–19.
Kacper is pictured here being presented with his Ireland cap. Well done!
Well done to Kacper Palamarczuk and Eddie Coyle who were both selected for the Connacht U18 Rugby Team and to Hubert Gilvarry and Will Whelan who were selected for the Connacht U19 Team.
MOVEMBER 2019
Sligo Grammar School Senior Rugby Team once again grew facial hair for charity! The boys went about growing a variety of beards, moustaches and goatees in aid of the Movember charity. The charity raises funds to increase awareness of mens health among men themselves and it funds various mens health charities. The senior boys rose over €900 for the charity.
Previous Years
2018 – 2019
On Wednesday 3rd April the Sligo Grammar School U18s won the Plate in the IRFU School National Sevens Rugby Competition. In the quarter final they defeated Bandon Grammar School, Munster Senior Cup Semi-Finalists, by 6 tries to 2. In the semi-final they played Castletroy College, Limerick, and, after going 14 – 0 down, SGS came back to win 19 – 14. It was a great end to the year for the rugby seniors. The U14s had a fantastic season, losing only one of their 10 games in the U14 Connacht A League. They are a promising team and are looking forward to next year – especially their European tour in February! In the Connacht Schools Cup, our Juniors had a good cup win over Summerhill College and lost narrowly to Marist College, Athlone, at which point they exited the Schools Cup Competition. In Senior Cup Rugby, we lost the semi-final to Garbally College, the eventual Cup winners.
RUGBY SEVENS VICTORY
On Wednesday 3rd April the Sligo Grammar School U18s won the Plate in the IRFU National Sevens Rugby Competition. In the quarter final they defeated Bandon Grammar School, Munster Senior Cup Semi-Finalists, by 6 tries to 2. In the semi-final they played Castletroy College, Limerick, and, after going 14 – 0 down, SGS came back to win 19 – 14. The turning-point of that game was a try scored and converted by Hubert Gilvarry, just before half-time. Two minutes into the second half Mark McGlynn got a break-away try which was converted by William Whelan, to tie the score 14-all. In a nail-biting finish, following a sweeping move involving all players, James Whelan finished in the corner with a one-handed try, to give the Grammar School victory. In the final they faced Newbridge College, Leinster, whom they defeated 36 – 14. This game was never in doubt after a blistering start when Fiachra Staunton scored a try after making a break from 40 metres out. This was quickly followed by a try from James Whelan which was converted by his brother Will, bringing the score to 12 – 0. Almost immediately after this Fiachra Staunton broke through again and scored under the post. From the re-start Kacper Palamarczuk caught the ball and, with help from Matthew Earley, set up a ruck where the ball was moved quickly by Andrew Ward out to Hubert Gilvarry who scored the Grammar School’s fourth try of the half, to bring the score to 24 – 0. Just before the break Newbridge scored and SGS continued to dominate thanks to two further tries from James Whelan, with Newbridge getting a consolation try towards the end. The Grammar School had made 5 changes by this time, bringing on Joseph Asare, Matthew O’Hara, Lucas Codyre, Sean Ndego and Mark McMcGlynn. Overall this victory today was achieved by a great team performance from everyone on the panel.
The squad was: Joseph Asare, Sam Atumonyogo, Lucas Codyre, Matthew Earley, Jacob Fleming, Hubert Gilvarry, Mark McGlynn, Sean Ndego, Matthew O’Hara, Kacper Palamarczuk, Fiachra Staunton, Andrew Ward, (Captain), James Whelan, William Whelan.
CONNACHT SCHOOLS RUGBY TEAM OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to 5th year student, Hubert Gilvarry who made the Connacht Schoolboy Team of the Year, by virtue of his performance for SGS in this year’s Connacht Schools Cup Competition. The Team of the Year is sponsored by the Irish Independent. Hubert was presented with a team jersey on Saturday 13th April at the Sportsgrounds, Galway before the Connacht/Cardiff Blues Pro 14 Game, which was won by Connacht, 29 – 22.
MOVEMBER
This November the Senior Rugby Team took on the Movember challenge! The Movember Foundation is a global organisation committed to changing the attitude to and awareness of men’s health, from cancer to mental health. During the month of November men all around the world take up the challenge to grow moustaches or beards and raise funds for the charity through donations and sponsorship. Our rugby boys did their best to grow facefulls of hair for the month. Some had an easier time of it than others, but all did their best and raised a spectacular €1,110 for the charity!
CAPPED FOR CONNACHT
(August 2018)
Well done to Kacper Palamarczuk, Matthew Earley and and Hubert Gilvarry who represented Connacht U18 Rugby at the Inter-Provincial tournament held in University of Limerick. The boys were in camp with the rest of the Connacht Team for 10 days during August. Connacht went on to defeat Munster Leinster and Ulster to win the competition. All three will be part of SGS Senior Squad for the upcoming 2018/19 season.
2017/18
RUGBY SEVENS FINALISTS!
On Thursday 10th May Sligo Grammar School U17 Rugby Sevens team returned home from an All Ireland Schools Sevens Finals as National runners-up. The team travelled to Terenure College RFC, Dublin to represent Connacht along with three other schools from the province and proceeded to beat all comers until they were finally vanquished by St Muirdeachs, Ballina. In an exhausting day of matches they beat Drogheda Grammar School, Nenagh CBS, Marist College, Athlone and Ballingcollig Community School. The team played magnificently well but by the time the final match came along sheer exhaustion and a mere 10 minutes break between the final group game and the tournament final played a part in their ultimate defeat. Overall it was a great experience and the tournament was well organised by the IRFU. The players are looking forward to the 2018/19 season. Well done to team captain Andrew Ward and his squad. A big thank-you to Mr Gavin and Mr Staunton for taking them to the competition.
This year the rugby season got off to a good start. In the Connacht League we lost one match to Garbally College which was enough to knock us out of the competition. The senior team this year is a very young one with 8 of the squad still only 16 years of age. The team has great potential for the future and displayed some of that in their first Connacht Schools Cup match against Summerhill College in Sligo RFC. The SGS team won the game 15 – 9. They face Coláiste Iognáid (Jes) in January at home. Jes are the favourites to win the group so our seniors will have a tough fight ahead of them. The Junior rugby team has had a dificult year so far. They won one of their League matches and have won their first Cup match agaist Castlebar. Their next Cup match is against strong favourites, Garbally College in January. This year’s U14 team is exceptionally enthusiastic with great numbers turning out to training.
Rugby Honours
Senior rugby players Graham Kerr and Kuba Wojtkowicz were selected for the Connacht Schools Rugby Team of the Year and were presented with their jerseys in Galway in April. Kuba was also named both the Connacht Provincial Player of the Year and the Ulster Bank All-Ireland Division 2C Player of the Year. He was presented with his award by Joe Schmidt at the Aviva in May. Both boys have worked hard at their game over the last 6 years and richly deserve their awards. Well done!
Season 2016/2017
Once again, after an unbeaten run, the Senior Cup Team won the Connacht Schools League Cup. This is the second year running that they won the League Cup. The cup was formally presented to the team at the last assembly of the year as were the individual medals.
Unfortunately, this year neither of our teams made it to the Connacht Schools Cup finals. In January the Junior Cup Team started their Connacht Cup campaign against St. Joseph’s College, Galway (Bish) in what was a brilliant performance. They won 33 – 7. They went on to play Roscommon CBS but lost that match. in Ferbane they won by 3 points to Gallen Community School. Their campaign came to an end in Galway with a loss against Garbally College. Despite a strong campaign the Senior Cup Team did not qualify for this year’s final. They won their first match against Marist College, Athlone and went on to beat the Bish 33 – 18 in their second match. On 25th January they played Summerhill College at home with the whole school out supporting the boys. They fought hard and played a great match but lost the battle. As a result they lost home advantage for the semi-final and had to play Coláiste Iognáid in Galway where they were beaten.
Live to fight another day!!
SGS Senior Team Chant from Maire Hynes on Vimeo.
Capped for Connacht
Four of Sligo Grammar School’s Senior rugby team were lucky enough to be chosen to represent Sligo Rugby Club – and their school – at Connacht Level. Kuba Wojtkowicz, Christian Neilsen, Graham Kerr and Niall Gray trained and played with Connacht throughout last summer (2016) and during the year, Unfortunately injury prevented Chriatian from playing from October on but he’s on the mend and looks forward to a summer of Connacht rugby. Well done to the boys and good luck to them all.