Connemara take top spot at Creggs' expense

CREGGS 10

CONNEMARA 21

Connacht J1A League 

Creggs dropped from top spot in the Connacht Junior 1A league on Saturday following a poor start against rivals Connemara, as two Marty Conneely tries in the opening 10 minutes laid the platform for the visitors’ victory.

These two teams have built a serious rivalry in recent seasons with the west Galway side winning their last three encounters, including the league final last February. But it was the All-Blacks who took the spoils here to go top of the table.

Creggs will take many lessons from this with some decision making errors, and especially their set pieces, allowing their opponents the early momentum.

Connemara got over the whitewash in the third minute after out half Shane Sweeney found touch inside the 22. Hooker Ian Staunton was a major influence along with prop David O’Reilly and they showed the intent that ensured Connemara held possession in rucks.

The ball quickly spread from left to right with Sweeney, Staunton and Henry O’Toole involved. The latter’s final pass let Conneely through for the try.

While Creggs were able compete around the middle third, they struggled to strike a blow. Despite receiving 18 penalties, they often chose to go for touch, or take a scrum, rather than attempt an early shot at the posts.

In contrast, Connemara dealt with the assault before turning the screw at the other end. Creggs were put under pressure as both Shane and Ciarán Purcell tried to clear deep in their own half. Connemara took control and punished the hosts.

Again moving from left to right, David O’Reilly, Staunton, Michael O’Toole and Sweeney moved the ball across with Conneely the recipient of the final pass to get in again on 10 minutes making it 10-0.

Three minutes later, Creggs got closest to the opposing line but the lineout was lost again; Daniel Arnold had an opportunity himself but couldn’t break down the defence; while Connemara’s Tommy Mullen also overturned another Creggs attack.

Eventually, Creggs went for the posts on 19 minutes and Shane Purcell got them off the mark, leaving them 10-3 behind.

Connemara restored their 10-point margin on the half hour through a Staunton penalty after Creggs were initially punished for a collapsed scrum, and then offside. And the hosts also suffered a blow when Tommy Devine had to go off injured.

Connemara sensed a bonus point was up for grabs and even though they didn’t get one themselves, Creggs can take some relief that the Clifden-based team left with just four points.

It remained 13-3 at half-time but Connemara attacked again upon the restart through O’Toole, Staunton, O’Reilly and Conor O’Malley but eventually a knock forward spared Creggs’ blushes.

However, it was short lived as Joe O’Connell’s side powered over for their third try on 47 minutes with Staunton getting down, leaving Connemara 18-3 clear.

The game was stop-start in stretches before finishing with in intense fashion as neither team wanted to show any weakness. Connemara were destined to win but the bonus point for a fourth try, or for Creggs to get within seven points, was worth fighting for.

Creggs attacked through Mark Dowd, Thomas O’Brien and Mark Purcell but O’Toole cut out their push forward. However, they did get a penalty on 55 minutes, which resulted in Connemara’s Shane Hathaway being sin binned, but Creggs took the scrum option.

That being said, Creggs finally made the breakthrough after a couple of turnovers moved play out left. Eoghan Coyle crossed the gain line sucking in Connemara bodies, before offloading to Ronan Dowd who got the five points.

Shane Purcell added the conversion leaving Creggs just 18-10 in arrears but Connemara’s response was immediate, winning a penalty which Staunton registered on 61 minutes.

It was the final score as both teams launched tackles into each other, with Connemara’s Diarmuid Roche and Creggs’ Jack Tucker each receiving yellow cards. The best chance fell for Ojani Fuata Lalogafau but the Creggs winger couldn’t win his race to the end line.

Creggs now sit three points behind Connemara and Castlebar but have plenty of time to get back on track. However, a trip to Dangan in two weeks to take on University of Galway won’t be a formality.