Purcell on point as Creggs secure four in a row
The Creggs team that lined out against Dunmore in the J1A league final.
Creggs have secured their fourth successive J1A league title as they battled past Dunmore on a wet and windy evening in the Dexcom Stadium.
Mark Purcell’s 72nd minute try proved decisive while the winger’s penalty from just inside the Dunmore ’22 five minutes later sealed another piece of silverware for Creggs.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for a Dunmore side who contributed immensely to a full blooded affair in what was a very tough evening for rugby.
Ultimately, Creggs laid the platform for this win in the first half as they got to the dressing room with the score at 0-0 after playing against a gale force wind.
Conor Burns hit the post for Dunmore in the first half while they came close to crossing the try line on a number of occasions. Creggs captain James Brandon produced a vital turnover after a strong Michael Mannion carry as Creggs were forced to live on their wits and survive until half time.
A Ronan Dowd penalty after 51 minutes gave Creggs a platform but in a rare Dunmore foray forward in the second half, a Johannes Duvenage break in midfield helped Dunmore earned a penalty that they kicked to the corner.
From the resulting maul, hooker Jamie Geraghty dotted down to give Dunmore a 5-3 lead.
With Dunmore defending valiantly as they sought to claim their first J1A league title, Creggs eventually earned a penalty. Ronan Dowd’s effort crashed off the post but Sean Burns was subsequently driven over his own try line for a Creggs 5m scrum.
Eventually the pressure told as from the resulting put in, Ronan Dowd’s crossfield kick was gathered by Mark Purcell who dived over in the corner.
Even though the conversion was unsuccessful, Purcell stepped up to nail a long range penalty from just inside the Dunmore half.
Creggs saw out the final stages to ensure they were crowned league champions once more.
*Full report and reaction in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
