Match Result
- Result: Galwegians U15 38 - Westport 14
- Venue: Westport RFC on Sat Apr 1st 2017
- Competition: Connacht U15 Cup
Match Report
Galwegians U 15s continued their progress in this year’s Cup campaign with a strong win away to Westport on Saturday April First. It was no April Fool’s!
This was a tough battle particularly in the first half which finished 14:14 with scores from our No. 8 George Hill on 8 minutes with a fine conversion by Jack Beatty at 10. Westport hit back shortly afterwards with a converted try to bring it to all square on c 18 mins. Game on. Westport pulled ahead with another converted try soon afterwards and we knew we were in a battle despite being on top in most areas on the pitch – our own errors let the opposition back into the game. On the 28th minute, after sustained pressure and hard carries from Galwegians, Conor Joyce got over near the posts and Jack Beatty converted again. All square at half time 14:14.
Our half time chat asked the players to compete more at ruck time and carry direct ball. We did just that. At 12 Zak Rather breached the Westport line on 40 minutes after Galwegians had dominated to score his first try for us, jack Beatty converted – 21:14.
On 46 minutes George Hill got over on the far wing to bring us to 26:14 with a narrowly missed conversion attempt. George Hill scored another try after great work by our team and with another fine conversion by Beatty, we were 33:14 up.
On 56 mins, Zak Rather got over again on the far side to bring us into safety and we finished with a scoreline of 38:14.
Overall, Galwegians grabbed this game by the throat against a strong wind in the second half. They delivered in the areas asked them to at half time.
We had fine performances from our pack, particularly in the second half where Gary Lally, Liam Griffin and Conor Joyce made their presence felt. Edward Shekete had a fine performance in the second row alongside Henri Bartolzzi.
Our back row is a fine set up with Garvin Surlis at 7 as usual a hard working at the ruck - their backline knew he was there on the day. Hugh Duffy had a good game at 6 with some solid carries. At 8 George Hill had a very strong second half where his runs penetrated and scored vital tries.
Jack Beatty at 10 kicked some lovely conversions -particularly against the wind and he and our 9 Darragh Creighton, communicated much better to manage our game plan. Darragh managed the pack very well and loves to take on the ball. In the center, Zak Rather was destructive and carried very well at 12 alongside our 13 Luke Kelly who tackled very well punching above his weight and once again showed great hands in the line.
On the wing Conor Jackson showed lovely steps and tackles throughout the game. Cian Clancy, just returned from a nasty knee injury carries and runs with huge strength posing a real threat each time he carries.
Great to see him back playing. Patrick Keane had a fine game at full back. He showed great confidence under the high ball and managed his line very well. Our replacements delivered on the day also. Ben Kelly went into the second row at half time and was very disruptive and hard working. Great to have Ben back as well. Oliver Kelly went in as flanker and shows why he is always to be considered with his hard work and fitness, never lost on the pitch.
Joe Agbo was also introduced into the first row and made a significant impact, which is what you want, when he came on. Tom Kelly came in at 9, an experienced campaigner at this stage and lovely to have a 9 as a replacement. Robbie Olatokunbo was also introduced on the wing and is a powerful ball carrier that we look forward to seeing more of in the coming weeks.
Finally, Matas Sadukas was introduced also on the wing and is really making his way in this panel over the last number of weeks. Also, part of the panel were Alan Whyte (Hooker), Shane Devlin (2nd Row), Morgan O’Loghlen (2nd Row), Shane McComiskey (Winger) and Marcin Drozdz (Prop).
We had a couple of players out sick/injured – MacDara O’Griofa, Tristan Kirby, Cian Mulrooney, Colm Finnerty, Ciaran O’Fleaheartha, Sean Curley and Gabriel Herescu. Ben Hornibrook was also missing today due to a bereavement in the family
We would like to thank Paul Casserly for travelling with us on the day to add his experience to the coaching ticket on the day. We also have two young Galwegians Cian Hornibrook and Tiernan Surlis who have given selflessly all year of their time and have helped us enormously with their knowledge of the game as current players. It is very much appreciated.
