Retaining junior cup would mean everything to Creggs

Despite being reigning champions, Creggs can relate to Tuam’s build-up ahead of this season’s Connacht Junior Cup final at the Dexcom Stadium on Easter Monday (kick-off at 2.30 p.m.).

Tuam are appearing in their first junior cup final since 1978 — the North Galway side finally breaking their duck and reaching a provincial decider. But reaching a final is one thing, winning it is an entirely different proposition.

Ironically, it was Creggs that defeated Tuam in that decider 48 years ago, fuelling Tuam’s appetite even further to end their famine. But, just 12 months ago, Creggs claimed their first junior cup in 32 years when they ousted Dunmore.

That was one of the club’s greatest days in recent times, and vice-captain Brian Diffley maintains that the hunger within the squad is still as strong as ever ahead of his side’s title defence at the home of Connacht Rugby.

“It would mean everything to the group. It would have been a target that we set ourselves last August. Let’s go back and win a league, win a junior cup, and see where we go from there. We have the opportunity to do that now.

“We have only won one in the last 30-odd years, so to go back-to-back and do the double again, it would mean everything to the group. I would say if you did a questionnaire with the lads in the group, everyone would say the junior cup is the one we would most want to win,” he noted.

Diffley is all too aware that cup final days are never guaranteed. He has seen Creggs teams fall just short of reaching the final while also experiencing the heartache of losing on the biggest stage in domestic rugby.

The back-row feels that these days are to be embraced, highlighting that the club has given the team the perfect platform to try and secure another piece of silverware.

“A few years ago, we would have bitten your hand off at a chance at one of these trophies. I don’t think we take it for granted.

“You can see a pep in everyone’s step out there. They don’t come around easy and they don’t come around often. We are trying to capitalise as much as we can.

“There is always a great buzz out in Creggs. The café is open out there and you have the gym. The facilities are second to none, so everyone is really in good form.

“At this time of year, the underage teams are getting through their cups and plates. Everyone knows that it’s the business end of the season and there is always a bit more of a buzz when you know you don’t have a second chance. Any Tuesday or Wednesday could be your last night out training for the season so that keeps us grounded,” he concluded.