Skerries’ winning start to the AIL 2B campaign came to a disappointing end at Hamilton Park in Strandhill on Saturday, as hosts Sligo earned a 23-17 victory in challenging conditions.
For the third away game on the spin however, the final play of the came yielded something of a positive outcome for Skerries, as on this occasion Peter O’Neill’s fourth try of the season meant they travelled home at least with a bonus point in the bag.
Although there were no storm warnings to contend with over western counties this weekend, that didn’t mean for any let-up in the seemingly ever-present sideways rain at the Atlantic Coast venue.
Playing with the better of the conditions in the first half, Sligo looked to make the most of the advantage but in truth, it was a tough task for both sides, with dropped balls and scrums aplenty.
Sligo were on top in that department for much of the encounter – with former Connacht prop, Conan O’Donnell using all the guile gained from years on the professional circuit – and it proved a valuable avenue for possession, territory, and ultimately, points.
It was from an attacking scrum deep inside Skerries territory that the first score of the game arrived, as a strong platform was set, and Sligo number eight Fintan Crawley crashed through a couple of tackles to dot down, with Euan Brown adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Brown and his opposite number, Ronan Mulcahy then traded penalties, before the home fullback extended the lead with a monster three-pointer from the halfway line on the stroke of half-time, to leave his side 13-3 in front at the break.
A second successful penalty from Mulcahy just two minutes after the resumption looked to be the perfect tonic for Skerries but when try-scoring opportunities were always going to be scarce, another converted touchdown for Sligo just a few minutes later from man-of-the-match O’Donnell, seemed a killer blow.
And so it proved, as Skerries continued to press but just couldn’t find a way through the resolute home defence – reduced to 14 for a ten-minute stint – with two further penalties from Mulcahy all they had to show for the considerable efforts.
Brown’s third successful penalty of the afternoon made it 23-12 and essentially sealed the home win with three minutes to play, before Kevin McGrath broke away from his own half and a standing start, and Darragh McEneaney fed O’Neill to earn a valuable bonus point for Skerries and ensure the ever-faithful traveling support, would not go home empty handed.
Round five showed just how competitive AIL Division 2B is likely to be this season, as UL Bohemians ended the only other unbeaten record with a hard-fought 26-24 win over table-toppers, Wanderers.
The results mean Wanderers remain top, with Dungannon leapfrogging Skerries into second place on points difference, and Bohs rounding out the top four.
All sides will now enjoy a week off from AIL action, as Skerries’ attentions turn belatedly to Metro League action for the J1s on Friday night, before Rainey make the journey to Holmpatrick on November 9th.
15. Ronan Mulcahy
14. Jack Litchfield
13. Kevin McGrath
12. Mike Sherlock
11. Davey Goodman
10. Paul O’Loghlen
9. John Healy
1. Trevor Scuffil
2. Kieran Leonard (capt)
3. Tomás O’Donovan
4. John Waters
5. Sam Deering
6. Alex Cleary
7. Darragh McEneaney
8. Peter O’Neill
16. Evann Shelley
17. Paddy Finn
18. Ben McKiernan
19. Tim Deering
20. Luke Mitchell