Men’s Firsts 23 – Rainey OB 17

A brilliant second half performance saw Galwegians overcome Rainey Old Boys at a windy Crowley Park on Saturday afternoon in the fight for the last promotion play-off place in Division 2B of the Energia All Ireland League.

This was the proverbial game of two halves where each side got the better of their opponents when playing against the elements. Wegians had the wind advantage in the first-half, and two early penalties by Stevie Mannion put them 6-0 ahead on the scoreboard. Although the home side were well on top in the opening exchanges, it was the visitors who would score the game’s first try at the end of the first quarter, very much against the run of play. When Wegians failed to secure the restart, Rainey worked their upfield and won a penalty which they kicked into the 22. With their first meaningful attack, they set up camp on the try-line, with captain and hooker Dan O'Neill barging over near the posts. Out-half Scott McLean added the simple conversion to put them ahead by a solitary point.

The Blues continued to use the breeze to create territory. Mannion tried his luck with a long-range penalty soon after, only to misjudge the cross-wind on this occasion, before finding his range in the 34th minute to nudge Wegians back in front 9-7. However they were undone once again from the restart, when an attack from deep saw Rainey's lively centre Jack Hardy slice through midfield and score his side’s second try on the left. McLean landed the difficult conversion to make it 14-9 to the Ulstermen. Wegians still had plenty chances before half-time to regain the lead. An excellent 50-22 by full-back Cian Brady created the platform, however despite being awarded three penalties in the final play, they were unable to convert, with the visitors keeping their line intact to go into half-time with a surprise lead.

Rainey started the second-half fully intent on building on their lead, as they kept the hosts pinned deep in their half. McLean opted for a penalty shot at goal on 47 minutes to try make it a two-score game, but his effort sailed wide to give the hosts a reprieve. Having initially struggled to exit in the opening 10 minutes with some wayward kicking, finally the Blues started to make some inroads. They managed to regain the lead just before the hour mark when they scored their first try. It followed patient attacking, switching from right to left and just when Mannion looked like he ran out of space near the touchline, a deft offload found Oisin McKey in support. The winger still had a lot of work to do before grounding the ball near the corner-flag. Mannion then landed what looked an impossible conversion straight into the teeth of the breeze, and suddenly the hosts were back in front again 16-14.

The inevitable onslaught followed by the visitors as the game entered the final quarter. However they met a solid wall of excellent Blues defence who refused to buckle, forcing errors which allowed them hold their line intact. McLean did manage to restore the visitors’ lead with a penalty in front of the posts on 72 minutes. That looked like it might be the late winner, however credit Wegians who showed no lack of belief as they went in pursuit of victory. An excellent passage saw them take the game to their opponents, and when a penalty was kicked into the 22, a well-set maul was steam-rolling towards the try line before being taken down. Referee Brian Bennett had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try.

The Blues still had to see out the final few minutes, and they were reduced to 14 men when sub winger Eoghan Fahey was binned for a high tackle. However they had the greater desire and discipline to make their tackles, and when they forced a penalty at the breakdown on halfway in stoppage time, the game was done.

This sets up an intriguing final game round this Saturday April 5^th. There are still three teams in contention for the fourth and final promotion play-off place. Wegians travel to relegation-threatened Skerries, while fourth-placed UL Bohemians also travel to face another relegation-threatened side in Sligo. Meanwhile Rainey entertain the newly crowned champions Wanderers at home, so all three are in with a chance of making it with just four points separating these sides in the table.