Match Result
- Result: Galwegians Firsts 35 - Corinthians 18
- Venue: Crowley Park on Sat Aug 18th 2018
- Competition: Connacht Senior League
- Match photos
Match Report
Galwegians Seniors got their season off to a winning start when they overcame city rivals Corinthians in this Connacht Senior League opener at Crowley Park on Saturday. And while the winning margin was ultimately decisive, it was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests for long periods of a closely fought tussle, with a late flurry of tries proving ultimately decisive.
The first half was largely nip and tuck. Wegians got the first of their tries midway through the half when veteran centre Brian Murphy crossed the whitewash after being fed by Rory Gaffney after a mazy run. This was converted by the trusty boot of out-half Morgan Codyre. The visitors Corinthians crossed for two first-half tries, one which was converted. However Codyre also landed two penalties either side of Murphy’s try to give the Blues the slenderest of half-time leads by 13-12.
The visitors regained the lead after the break, but the Blues took control of the game when Gaffney, starting at full-back for the first time in his senior club career, crossed for his first try of the game on 55 minutes. Another excellent conversion by Morgan Codyre gave the Blues a five-point cushion.
The impressive Gaffney then had to show his defensive capabilities when he managed to hold up a Corinthians attack on the line. However the visitors did get a penalty for their efforts, and the gap was now back to just two points.
This was how it remained on the scoreboard as the game entered the final ten minutes. However Wegians were now gaining the upper hand with fitness starting to show. On 74 minutes Gaffney again struck a decisive blow when some great running saw him finish off good play to complete his brace of tries. With the hosts finishing impressively, the game was made safe shortly afterwards when hooker Christy Reilly finished well in the corner after a 5 metre lineout to seal what had seemed an unlikely bonus point.
There was even time for a fifth try right at the death when an excellent steal in contact saw second-row Eoin Tarmey claim the final touchdown to put some final gloss on the scoreline. So all told it was an entertaining game and a very good workout for both sides.
The late flurry of tries put Wegians on top of the table marginally above newly-promoted Ballina. Next up for Brian McClearn’s charges is an away trip to Sligo this Saturday August 25th.