Sligo 24

Galwegians 22

A last-gasp stoppage time try for Sligo denied Galwegians the chance to claim their first Connacht Senior Cup since 2015 in a thrilling 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, but the Glenina side met a resurgent Sligo outfit 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 at 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.

Pictured: Ryan Roche in determined mood to retain possession as Darragh Kennedy moves in to support. Photo courtesy Connacht Rugby.