Creggs teach Galway students a lesson
The Creggs U-14 girls' team that played Ballina in their latest league game on Saturday last.
The scoreline suggests that this was a simple victory for Creggs but, in fact, the home side dominated possession for large periods of the match. However, a failure to turn possession into scores came back to haunt the Galway City-based team.
The visitors capitalised on the majority of opportunities that came their way. They started strongly in perfect playing conditions on the banks of the River Corrib with a try from Mark Purcell, which was converted by his brother Shane.
They soon crossed the line again through front-row forward Tom Farrell after some good support work by team-mates James Brandon and Tom Callaghan.
Shane Purcell converted but the college side sprung into life and dominated the remainder of the first half, with their forwards surging across the gain line. The Creggs defence stood firm with good tackling from Danny Arnold, Eoghan Coyle, Brian Diffley and Tom Farrell.
Then a turnover from the home team saw Mark Dowd pass to Shane Purcell who released Mark Purcell down the right wing. The centre linked with OJani Lalogafu who expertly cut inside and left defenders in his wake for Creggs’ third try. Shane Purcell converted, leaving Creggs 21 points ahead at half time.
The second half saw the University of Galway finally rewarded when some weak defence allowed them to score a try score under the posts, which was converted. However, Creggs responded with a great team try from Kieran Purcell after good link play by Ronan Dowd, Chris Duignan, and scrum-half Cormac Dolan who was making an impression on his debut for the first team.
Creggs made some further changes and prop forward Tommy Curley made a huge impact off the bench, charging over the line for two further tries, aided by support from players like Mikey Dunne, Ronan Cahill and Chris Duignan. Mark Purcell converted one of the tries. It left Creggs winners by 31 points.
Creggs now look forward to a home game against Tuam in two weeks’ time as they hope to maintain their path for a home semi-final in this competition.
A blistering first-half display laid the foundations for Creggs’ emphatic victory against OLBC in a highly entertaining game in Saturday's J1C League contest at Creggs.
An early try by hooker Enda Tully got Creggs off to a positive start after only five minutes, with Mark Brandon adding the conversion. Shortly afterwards, prop forward Tommy Curley burst through for a second try, which Brandon converted to leave Creggs 14 points to the good. Brandon also added a close-range penalty when OLBC strayed offside in defence.
Things got worse for the Galway City-based side when a backline move resulted in Creggs scrum-half Cormac Dolan making a brilliant interception and racing 70 metres for a wonderful solo try. Brandon converted once more to put the home team 24-0 ahead after 25 minutes.
Before half time, Creggs added two further tries with centre Jack Fleming scoring out wide after some mesmerising footwork in midfield. Fleming followed this with a brilliant run, which resulted in a try for left winger Michael Dunne. Mark Brandon converted Fleming's try from close to the touchline and Creggs turned around leading 36-0 after a fine exhibition of open, attacking play involving all 15 players.
The second half started in a similar vein with second-row Luke Divilly powering over for a try. Boys Club hit back with two well-worked tries as their forwards enjoyed a period of dominance when Creggs were rather harshly reduced to 14 players for a high tackle.
However, Creggs finished strongly with tries from Aodan Kelly and Michael Dunne to round off a performance of quality. Players from the bench also made a substantial impact when introduced to the action.
Creggs have a break next weekend before two games against Carrick and Tuam, which will provide a serious test for this rapidly-improving squad.
CREGGS: Ger Comer, Michael Dunne, Padraig Geraghty, Jack Fleming, Michael Farrell, Mark Brandon, Cormac Dolan, Matthew Curley, Enda Tully, Tommy Curley, Eoghan Farrell, Luke Divilly, Leon Doyle, Lee Kilcoyne, Eoin Kelly, Mike Sampier, Luke Meehan, Seán O’Roarke, Aodan Kelly, Darren Gately, Michael Holland, Gearoid Egan.
The Creggs RFC U-13s travelled to Westport on Saturday. Creggs opened the scoring through Eoin Callaghan after five minutes. The try was converted by Harry Trimble.
Westport capitalised on the mistake by Creggs to score a unconverted try shortly afterwards. Creegs got back on track when Harry McDermott crossed the line. The half finished with another try from Harry McDermott and another unconverted try from Westport to leave Creggs 17-10 ahead.
Creggs utilised their bench and made changes for the second half. Their dominance was pronounced with tries from Harry Feeley and Ryan Sharkey, which were converted by Harry Trimble and Charlie Madden, to leave the team 57-15 winners at the final whistle.
The U-14 girls travelled to Ballina for a league game on Saturday last.
It was a lovely day for rugby. Creggs’ scorers were Ella Gannon, Ally Hegarty, Isabelly Sassuarana, Clodagh Finneran, Mariah McSharry, Lily Richardson, Emer Timon and Darcy Thorose. Alice Featherstone and Claire Featherstone added conversions.
This team continues to improve. Well done girls.
The Creggs U-16 boys’ Tier 2 team played their final league game at home against Loughrea RFC on Saturday last.
Five minutes into the game, Jack Keane got over in the corner to hand Creggs a 5-0 lead. That advantage didn’t last long as Loughrea scored a try, which was converted.
The home team were not long retaliating to score twice — one try by Rory Kelly and the second one by Ivan Bikoi to push Creggs 15-7 ahead. With time closing in on the first half, the visitors narrowed the gap to 15-12.
Loughrea got their noses in front with another try in the corner. Creggs, after playing all the rugby in the first half, seemed to be just hitting a low point. But they got going again and were unlucky not to get over the line when they seemed to have the Loughrea defence stretched on two different occasions. But the final pass didn’t go to hand.
Loughrea added to their tally, stretching their lead to 15-25. With time running out Creggs needed something and they did manage to score a fourth try. But Loughrea ran out 20-25 winners.
Once again, it was an improved performance by the Tier 2 U-16 team who are producing better performances and learning all the time.
Creggs minis welcomed the Westport RFC U-9, U-10, U-11 and U-12 boys to Creggs on Saturday morning. Over 100 players travelled and played a few games each.
The weather was polite, so the other Creggs minis had a training session. Thanks to all the parents and families for attending.
The club congratulates U-13 boys’ coach and committee member, Kenneth Loughrey, who is also a Connacht Referee, on his graduation from the University of Galway with a Bsc in Science and Technology.
The club’s lotto jackpot was not won. The lucky dip winner was Seamus Ward.
Next week’s jackpot is €11,000, which would make a nice Christmas present. Please support the club by joining the lotto. Members of the club get a reduction of 30 per cent annually once they pay membership. Membership is open until next Thursday, November 30th and can be done online.
If membership is not paid by that date, playing or training is not permitted. Those who have any issues online should contact their coach who will assist them.
