Match Result
- Result: Galwegians Firsts 14 - Old Belvedere 12
- Venue: Crowley Park on Sat Oct 25th 2008
- Competition: AIL Division 1
Match Report
Galwegians won an enthralling contest when they edged out their Dublin visitors in this Division 1 game played in atrocious wet & windy conditions at Crowley Park. The hosts had the advantage of a gale force wind in the first–half, and they raced into a 7-0 lead in the fourth minute when lock forward Dave Nolan finished off a line-out maul for the opening try, with full-back Rob O’Beirne landing an excellent conversion. But despite their territorial supremacy ‘Wegians could not add to their first-half tally, as some resolute Beldevere defence kept them at bay.
The visitors were quick to take advantage of the elements after the re-start, and within ten minutes they found themselves in the lead. A 47th minute try by winger Dave Mongan was soon followed by a Leo Auva’a touchdown under the posts, with the latter converted by sub Eamonn Fitzgerald to leave them 12-7 in front.
The winning score came on the hour when some smart Galwegians play and a succession of penalties saw them work their way up to the visitors line, and when a powerful 5-metre scrum was dragged down, referee Colin Stanley awarded a penalty-try, with O’Beirne landing the crucial conversion to regain the lead. The visitors came close to snatching it late on, but Fitzgerald was off-target with a late penalty from the 10 metre line, and some heroic Galwegians last-gasp defence saw them defend their line & hold out to claim the four points.
This win beings Wegians up to fifth place, which leaves them nicely poised as the League now takes a mini-break for five weeks. The action then resumes on November 29th, when Wegians travel to Temple Hill to take on the defending champs Cork Con.