Westport injury woes too much in Junior Cup exit against Sligo

CONNACHT JUNIOR CUP ROUND OF 16

Westport 10

Sligo Second XV 26

In Carraholly

'The Bulls' have exited the prestigious Connacht Junior Cup after a tough game against a more experienced Sligo team.

Westport were aware of the challenge facing them before kick-off, because their number one fly-half Stephen Loftus was out injured since their previous game against Galwegians a week earlier 

Things got even worse for the home side after only 13 minutes of the game when replacement number ten Harry Sheridan sustained a bad knock in an attempt to slide for a ball on the ground. He crashed into an opponent and had to be substituted. 

Enter young fly-half talent Cillian McKeown who experienced a baptism of fire in his debut appearance for the first team. 

That wasn't all. There were further starters missing for Westport. Tom Ginnelly who started as center also got his first senior match und his belt.

All squad permutations aside, Westport squared up with Sligo and even got the first score of the game. Back-row Cormac Lyons burst through the defensive line and surged forward. When he was finally brought down, second-row Paddy Cafferkey crashed over after picking up the ball from the ruck. 

After the conversion was missed, Sligo quickly responded. Two rolling mauls were one too many. And the guests took a two-point lead to the interval.

In the second half, Sligo's experience told. Their backs were always dangerous with ball in hand. Time and time again, they were comfortable running the ball from inside their own 22. 

The game was effectively over after 65 minutes as Sligo had added three more tries and were up 26-5 clear. 

Westport to their credit, always stuck at it. Alan Masterson, who started as full-back and later on moved on the fly-half position, had a good game, beating many defenders, solid under the high ball.

Flanker Caolan O'Brien got a second try for the 'Bulls' who bowed out of the Junior Cup having thrown everything at the Sligo opposition.

At the end, having no experienced player in the crucial number 10 jersey and very young players in the centre positions, changed the game completely for Westport.

They will have to dust themselves down, as in two weeks they'll meet the same opposition in the Junior 1B League. 

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News

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