Creggs celebrate ‘double double’ following cup success for girls' teams

Creggs……………………………24

Ballinasloe RFC……………….10

Connacht U-18 Girls’ Cup Final

The Creggs U-18 girls completed the league and cup double with a 14-point victory over Ballinasloe RFC on Sunday. The game took place in Creggs due to the ongoing development of the Dexcom Stadium.

Ballinasloe started the game well and enjoyed the better of early territory. But a floated pass in midfield was intercepted by Jemima Adams Verling who scored the game’s opening try. Mia White converted for a 7-0 lead.

Creggs were penalised a number of times for holding on in the rucks, which gave Ballinasloe territory, but Creggs were keeping their opponents at bay with some excellent defence.

Although down a player due to a yellow card, Creggs went through a number of phases and carries. When they moved the ball wide, Jemima Adams Verling was there to finish the move from short range to increase the Creggs lead to 12-0, which they held at half time.

The second half started with Creggs continuing to be penalised at the breakdown. However, their defence stood strong. When they attacked, they looked the more likely to score. They were held short twice before moving the ball wide for Jemima Adams Verling to dive over from close range to get her third try, which Mia White converted for a 19-0 lead.

Creggs were again reduced to 14 players after a number of penalties were conceded and Ballinasloe, to their credit, created some great breaks — one of which they converted to reduce Creggs’ lead to 19-5.

However, Creggs gathered the kick off, went back on the attack and got over in the corner to increase the lead to 24-5 with ten minutes remaining. Ballinasloe continued to attack and, with time running out, they broke the defence to score an excellent try to reduce the lead to 24-10.

The final whistle was greeted with great joy as Creggs completed their first ever U-18 league and cup double to round off a great day for the club following the U-14 girls’ double earlier in the day.

The day marked the end of youth level for a number of girls, and they are thanked for their commitment over the last number of seasons.

The management and coaches must be congratulated for their efforts in moulding this superbly-successful team into champions.

Ireland U-18 girls internationals, Siofra Hession and Merissa Kiripati, missed the final as they are playing in the Six Nations competition in England, but their team-mates in Creggs remembered them during the celebrations.

CREGGS: Mary Hoare, Mattea Cox, Ena Dupanovic, Isabelle Quinn (joint-captain), Ciara Downey, Mollie Coleman, Stacy Corbally, Jemima Adams Verling (joint-captain), Rachel Kilcoyne, Mia White, Ciara Corrigan, Sadie Devaney, Olivia Kelly, Shona Kennedy, Grace O’Shaughnessy, Clodagh Hanly, Joelah Okambawa, Ciara Kellehan, Emily Kelly, Caoimhe Smyth, Meabh Egan, Abigail Quinn, Dilan Odemis, Aisling Moran.

Creggs……………………27

Ballinasloe RFC………14

Connacht U-14 Girls’ Cup Final

The Creggs U-14 girls completed their league and cup double earlier in the day at Creggs.

Both teams scored a converted try in the opening half to leave the scoreboard tied at half time, 7-7.

Creggs came out of the blocks in the second half with a quick try within three minutes. They scored two more tries, thanks to some lively flowing rugby, to open up a 22-7 lead.

Ballinasloe pared the gap back to eight points, but Creggs finished out the game with another try of their own to secure a very well-deserved cup triumph to add to their league title.

Try scorers on the day were Clodagh Finneran, Muireann Mulry, Maisie Holmes and Kate Thompson, with Maisie Holmes kicking one conversion.

CREGGS: Leah Connolly (vice-captain), Amy Hannon, Lilly Higgins, Eabha Finneran, Kate Thompson, Marissa Tansey, Isabelle Boyle (vice-captain), Emer Timon, Maisie Holmes, Clodagh Finneran, Kayla Walsh, Muireann Mulry, Darcy Thorose, Sophie Dwyer, Saoirse Scott, Keeva Glennon, Mia Dolan, Emma May Jameson, Dearbhla Gregg Haugh, Megan Kilroy, Julianna Gaynor, Ella Finneran, Lily Richardson, Lana Cox, Grace Tighe, Laoise Flaherty, Afia Darby, Carrie Cillian.

U-13 BOYS

Creggs were defeated in the Plate semi-final by Carrick-on-Shannon, 20-14, on Saturday.

Trailing 10-0, Creggs found it difficult to get out of their half. But they defended bravely and finally gained a reward for their efforts when captain, Jack Donoghue, opened his side’s scoring with a try, which was converted by Zac Kelly to leave the score 10-7 to Carrick at half-time.

Carrick continued the second half as they finished the first, scoring twice early on to extend their lead to 20-7. Creggs stuck to their gameplan and kept contesting the breakdown.

Mixing the play between forwards and backs, Jack Donoghue got over once again for the team’s second try, which Kelly converted.

Creggs pushed hard but the final pass just didn’t go to hand. Unfortunately, time ran out as Carrick progressed to the Plate final.

CREGGS: Rian Davis, Ethan Coyne, David Thompson, Tadhg Duignan, Donnacha Hession, Kyle Fahy, Dylan Cryan, Jack Donoghue, Blake Burke, Zac Kelly, Daniel Foley, Harris Curran, Liam Fleming, Harry Dolan, Chris Walsh, Will Fallon, Kyle Maloney, Thomas Kelly, Cillian Finan, Matthew Towey, Harry O’Byrne, Alex McGarry, Donnacha Clarke, Owen Connolly.

LOTTO

The lotto jackpot wasn’t won and now lies at €5,000. The lucky dip winner was Keith O’Connor. Support for the lotto, which helps run the club, would be appreciated.