Colaiste Iognaid retain their title

Connacht Senior Cup Final Colaiste Iognaid 13 Sligo Grammer 10A superb defensive display in the second half was the bedrock on which Coláiste Iognáid laid the foundations for their retention of their Connacht Schools Senior Cup title in a game marred by a strong wind at the Sportsground yesterday.

It was the first time since 1925 the Galway city school put back-to-back titles together, as they lifted the crown for the seventh time.

For Sligo Grammar it was another day of heartbreak as they lost their third final in a row, despite having seven of the side that went down to Coláiste Iognáid a year ago.

Sligo Grammar looked good for their ninth senior cup success when they reduced the margin to three points seven minutes after the restart but even with the wind at their backs they were unable to crack a solid and disciplined Coláiste Iognáid defence.

Their back row of Gavin Hartigan, Dermot Murphy and Hugh O'Donnellan were immense in the second half and with Chris Connolly, Robert Hurley and Ross Shaughnessy superb behind the scrum, they held too many aces for a brave Sligo Grammar side.

Sligo Grammar, with centres Ross Butler and Phillip Hunt always capable of providing a cutting edge, were starved of possession in the second half.

Coláiste Iognáid had the benefit of the near-gale-force wind in the opening half but their interval lead of 10-0 seemed insufficient.

Sligo Grammar worked extremely hard in the opening period and were unlucky not to register a few scores, twice being whistled back for knock-ons after touching down.

Outhalf Simon Gillespie was most unfortunate not to crown a hard-working performance for the Sligo school with a score, but he saw a second-minute penalty into the wind go narrowly wide, and he was also off target with a drop goal effort just before the break.

Coláiste Iognáid were limited in the amount of ball they won in the opening half, but they made good use of what possession they did gain, getting off the mark with a penalty from impressive outhalf Shaughnessy after 11 minutes.

Skipper Hurley sprinted through for a superb try after 25 minutes when he evaded a series of tackles in a run from just inside halfway to touch down near the posts.

Shaughnessy added the points and then extended Coláiste Iognáid's lead with a penalty three minutes after the restart to make it 13-0.

But Sligo Grammar hit back with a try from Phillip Hunt a minute later.

Gillepsie added a superb conversion from the right wing.

Sligo Grammar piled on the pressure and were rewarded three minutes later when Gillespie landed a drop goal.

That left them just three points adrift with almost half an hour to go but Coláiste Iognáid battled superbly for every ball and kept it in tight.

Sligo Grammar had a couple of chances to snatch victory in the closing minutes but the Coláiste Iognáid defence was superb and they held out for victory.

SCORERS: Coláiste Iognáid - Shaughnessy two pens, con; Hurley, try); Sligo GS - Gillespie, dp gl, con; Hunt, try)

SLIGO GRAMMAR: E Farragher; C Connolly, C Moyles, R Hurley (capt), P Cuddy; R Shaughnessy, H Griffin; A Collins, M Nolan, C Ryan; J Browne, E Keane; G Hartigan, D Murphy, H O'Donnellan.

SLIGO GRAMMAR SCHOOL: C O'Grady; D Tansey, P Hunt, R Butler, D Torsney; S Gillespie, S Sheridan; J East, R O'Boyle, P Allen; R Forrester, A Parsons; P Ryder, J Draper (capt), R Wasson. Replacement: C McCann for Parsons (55 mins).

Referee: R Gibson (CBIRFU).