Match Result
- Result: Galwegians Firsts 7 - UL Bohemians 29
- Venue: Annacotty on Sat Apr 7th 2007
- Competition: AIL Division 1
Match Report
Galwegians went down to play-off shoe-ins UL Bohemians at Annacotty on Saturday, but this was a much closer contest than the result suggests, as the final scoreline somewhat flattered the hosts.
A slightly understrength Wegians were not given much chance by many going into this game, but the Blues were more than a match for their hosts for long periods of this contest. Indeed Wegians held sway for much of the opening half but they failed to turn possession and territory into scores. And it was Bohs who took the lead courtesy of a breakaway try on 21 minutes, with lock Anthony Hartigan finishing off a move created by full-back Mark Butler from inside his own 22. Centre Ben Martin converted for a fortunate 7-0 lead.
Wegians lost their talented U-20 full-back Cormac O'Beirne just before half-time, and shortly after the restart, and worse was to follow when Bohs ex-Connacht and ex-Galwegians centre Martin McPhail scored an excellent second try to stretch the lead to 12-0. However Wegians stuck to their task, and on 54 minutes a superb break by Galwegians' Nick Wakley was finished off by his centre partner Anthony Barrett for a great try, with Wakley's conversion reducing arrears to 12-7.
Sensing an opportunity, the visitors then went in search of the lead, and Wakley thought he scored an equalising try, only to be held up on the line. Bohs, who needed to copperfasten their play-off place, then went eight points in front when Ben Martin knocked over a penalty on 69 minutes. And with Wegians forced to field substitute flanker Aaron McGettigan on the wing due to injuries in the final quarter, the pressure began to tell. Bohs made the game safe with a late try from sub Ian Hanley, and in stoppage time they secured an unlikely bonus point when out-half Fergal Lawlor crossed for a fourth try.
Wegians' final game is away to another play-off contender, Garryowen, on Saturday April 21st in Dooradoyle.