Towards a century at the heart of Connacht rugby

Men’s Firsts 15 – Rainey Old Boys 17

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Match Result

  • Result: Galwegians Firsts 15 - Rainey OB 17
  • Venue: Rainey OB RFC on Sat Sep 28th 2024
  • Competition: AIL Division 2B

Match Report

Galwegians suffered a second straight loss in Division 2B when they had to settle for a losing bonus point away to Rainey Old Boys in Magherafelt on Saturday.

In an error-strewn game played in very damp conditions at Hatrick Park, the hosts were the livelier in the opening exchanges, and they took the lead midway through the first half courtesy of the opening try of the game. It followed a multi-phase attack in the Wegians 22, ending with a powerful finish by no. 8 Jody McMurray with 2 defenders hanging off him as he crossed the line. This was converted by winger Scott McLean.

Wegians never really got firing in the opening period, and their hosts had almost all the territory in the second quarter, as their huge pack were asking questions of the hard-working and resolute Blues defence. The terrible wet conditions made handling extremely difficult, and it cost Rainey on more than one occasion when they spilt the proverbial bar of soap when in the red zone. So it was the Blues who were probably the happier of the two teams to go into the half-time break with the score remaining 7-0.

Whatever the Wegians coaches Brendan Guilfoyle and Shane O’Brien said at half-time had an impact, as the visitors came right out of the traps after the break. They were level within three minutes, when some great rampaging work by captain Jack Winters was followed by a superb break by out-half Ryan Roche. And with the Rainey rearguard punctured, Argentine lock Gonzalo Alvarez was on hand to take a simple pass from Andrew Sherlock and dive over out wide on the right for his first try in a blue jersey. Wegians centre Stevie Mannion made light of the driving rain to split the sticks with his conversion and level the game.

With a pep in their step, Wegians took the game to their opponents and were looking the likelier to score next. However a miscued lineout 10 metres out saw them lose the initiative, as the Ulstermen took advantage to relieve the pressure. They would get the crucial next score on the hour mark when they worked their way upfield through two quick penalties in succession. Following some patient build-up phases, prop Tommy O’Hagan went on a barmstorming run, evading the attention of at least four defenders to make his way over the line and ground the ball near the posts.

McLean added the simple extras to restore a seven point lead for Rainey. Then on 68 minutes he stretched the lead to ten points when a needless crossing infringement in the Blues backline saw them cough up the softest of penalties, and the home marskman made no mistake from outside the 22.

Given the conditions, it looked a big ask for Wegians get a result at this stage of affiars, however they kept their heads and kept plugging away. On 71 minutes Mannion reduced the margin back to seven when he kicked a simple penalty in front of the posts after Rainey were pinged for not rolling away. This set up an exciting last few minutes with the game back in the balance. The Blues were looking to stretch the home defence by putting width into their play through the hands, but some basic errors were costing them at key moments.

McLean had a chance to make the game safe in the 78th minute when a scrum penalty on the 10 metre line saw him line up the posts, only to see his effort fall just short. Credit Wegians who ran it out from their goal-line, and with the help of two quick penalties they set up an attacking lineout in the opposition 22 with the very last play. The hone defence repelled a few phases under their posts, and the Blues eventually worked it out to the right where outside centre Cian Brady found a gap to glide over near the corner flag. This gave Mannion a chance to snatch a late draw. From near the touchline, he struck it extremely well and arrowed it on target, only to see it agonisingly drift inches wide at the very last second.

It was a cruel ending for Wegians for a second successive week, however they have much to reflect on with many positives to take and clearly some areas to address, before they take on last year’s Division 2B champions Clogher Valley who will make the trip west to Crowley Park this Saturday (2.30pm k-o).

Players

Jack Winters (C), Ryan Smith, Kobi Joyce,, Gonzalo Alvarez, Rob Holian, Oisin Halpin, Dylan Keane, Eanna McCarthy; Andrew Sherlock, Ryan Roche, Oisin McKey, Steven Mannion, Cian Brady, Eoghan Fahy, Darragh Kennedy. Subs: Eoin Ferry, Guerschom Mukendi, Jack Quinn, Paddy Dolphin, Cameron Carruthers.

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