Match Result
- Result: Galwegians U14 Blue 17 - Sligo 12
- Venue: Strandhill on Sun Jan 5th 2020
- Competition: Connacht U14 League
Match Report
It was a difficult end to the year for both Black and Blue teams with both squads very low on numbers due to flu, vomiting bugs and injuries resulting in some games being played without a full team or with no replacements which was a big ask for both teams against some strong competition.
With the start of the new year however things have improved with 35 players training on Monday Night and some great progress being made by both squads.
It was a luxury for the Blue team to travel to Sligo last Sunday (5th) with 18 players and face the Connacht Cup title holders from last season.
After a slightly shaky start for the Blues when they let a strong Sligo winger to get in for a try in the first few minutes, the boys eventually found their form and began to play some great rugby . After a well worked series of phases followed by a kick over the top, centre Sean Murphy dotted down the ball down for a try, and no .10 Calum Elwood narrowly missing the conversion from near the touchline.
It was all Galwegians for the rest of the half with Elwood crossing in the corner for a try after an excellent break by centre Alex Brown . Then no. 7 James Keane was not going to be stopped after he broke through the Sligo defence in midfield and crossed under the posts. Elwood converted and left the score 17: 7 to the Blues at the break.
After the restart the Blues momentarily dropped their previously excellent defence and Sligo got in for a try leaving it 17: 12.
A huge defensive effort from the Blues followed including surviving two Sligo 5 m scrums under the posts, with prop Senan Flynn performing a text book steal and relieving the pressure. Second-rows Rory Gavin and Caleb Fleetwood had an excellent half with several successful counter-rucks . Front rows Tomas (Mossy ) Fitzgerald and Jack Kennedy stood up and defended well against a physically larger Sligo.
No 8 Colm Marnell continued to work the Sligo defence with several strong carries. The Blues efforts were rewarded and the game finished 17: 12 to the Blues, leaving them in contention for the league playoffs .
Its an important fixture for the Blues away against Ballina this Sunday (12th) and a tough fixture vs table toppers Buccaneers for the Blacks this Saturday (11th) . The Blacks then face Sligo once again on the 18th which is an important fixture for both Black AND Blue teams!
