Men’s Firsts 17 – Corinthians 29

Galwegians lost a closely fought and entertaining city derby against Corinthians last Friday night under lights at Cloonacauneen.

It was a tale of four quarters, as the hosts dominated the first and last, with Wegians on top in the middle part of the game. But Corinthians' ability to take their chances on offer ultimately proved decisive. Wegians had a nightmare start as they lost two players to injury in the first 10 minutes, including sub Conor O'Shaughnessy who barely lasted a minute before suffering a wrist injury and being replaced himself. Although a bandaged Rob Deacy came back on, the disruption clearly didn't help the visitors who made a slow start. The hosts were 10-0 up inside as many minutes courtesy of an early Jack Conway penalty and a line out maul try from hooker Charlie Leonard which was converted by Conway.

Wegians soon steadied the ship and on 16 minutes they got back into the game with a very well worked try. Patient attacking play was rewarded when a skip pass found Liam Angermann hugging the right wing, and the number 8 dotted down in the corner for an unconverted try. Five minutes later with the Blues well on top, another well worked score led to young debutant fullback Paul Sharkey take his opportunity well also on the right. This time Stevie Mannion nailed the conversion to put his side 2 points to the good. Although reduced to 14 men for ten minutes when flanker Johnny Terblanche was binned, Wegians completely dominated the second quarter but were unable to add their tally, with Mannion narrowly off target with a long range effort just before the break.

The third quarter saw the visitors maintain the upper hand and look the more threatening side. A yellow card for the hosts gave them a numerical advantage, and they stretched their lead with a magnificent try near the hour mark. It followed an excellent break from deep with Sharkey combining with winger Darragh Kennedy, before Mannion finished strongly after some well worked phases. His conversion was narrowly off target, giving them a 7-point advantage heading into the final quarter.

Unfortunately for the Blues, they were unable to defend their lead and promptly conceded a penalty from the restart. Corinthians wasted no time in taking advantage and they soon levelled courtesy of a pick and go try by Johnny Hughes, which was converted by Conway.

The game was effectively decided in this short spell, as moments later a fortuitous break of the ball saw Wegians cough up possession near their 22. The hosts latched onto it with scrum half Joey Tierney taking advantage to score a third try which was converted. The Blues tried hard to claw their way back into the game and with the changes being rung from the bench, they became a bit disjointed. But it was Corinthians who finished stronger and a late bonus try from Declan O'Loughlin sealed victory and added some gloss on the final scoreline.