U16 Boys 57 – Sligo 17

Galwegians U16 Boys welcomed Sligo to Crowley Park for their first League match of the season last Saturday. Ideal weather conditions made for a good fast paced start from both teams.

Galwegians would be first to cross the line after 7 mins with a penalty tap from Rory Bourke 10m out.

Sligo defended well for the period to follow but ultimately it was only a matter of time before the boys in blue would cross the line again on the 17^th min with a huge 20m carry from Siaosi Fifita beating countless defenders before dotting down under the sticks. Successful conversion from Oisin Scanlon would make it 12-0.

Sligo would be next to register some points on the 24^th minute as they worked hard through the phases on Galwegians try line to eventually get the better of their opposition & find a gap to register 5 points for the visitors, successful conversion put it 12-7 to the hosts.

Galwegians were quick to answer back just 3 minutes later when a lovely offload from Rory Bourke to Sean Deely would see Sean run it in under the sticks from the half way line untouched. Successful Conversion from Oisin Scanlon made it 19-7.

For the remaining minutes of the first half Galwegians would have to defend their line like warriors to keep Sligo out & so they did in very impressive style until they eventually forced a turnover followed by the half time whistle.

Galwegians started strong in the second half with a lovely score from Out half Conall Mullarkey & another successful conversion from Oisin Scanlon making it 26-7.

Not 2 minutes later some outstanding interplay between Dylan McCullagh & Oisin Parker would see Oisin get in for another great score. Successful conversion from Oisin Scanlon had the score at 33-7.

And again 2 minutes later Galwegians would score another from set piece attack off a scrum on the half way line. Conall Mullarkey in for his second & under the sticks this time. This was to be the try of the match & the point where things started to look very ominous for the visitors. Another successful conversion from Oisin Scanlon & a very healthy lead of 40-7

Despite the constant pressure from the boys in blue Sligo began to fight back really well at this point. They showed great resilience & would be next to score from a well worked 5m penalty tap making it 40-12 with 43 minutes played.

Minute 48 & the hosts would score again when Conall Mullarkey took a quick tap & go from Galwegians 22m line & ran the full length of the pitch to make it a hatrick for the Out half.  Score at  45-12.

Minute 53 scrum down to Galwegians 20m out from the Sligo try line, No.8 Dylan McCullagh picks & goes and carries all the way to the try line to register another 5 points for the hosts. Successful conversion 52-12

With only 7 minutes remaining both teams would register one more each. Sligo took advantage of an unprotected blindside from a breakdown just outside Galwegians try line to register 5 more points. Galwegians Sean Deely would gather an exit kick from Sligo & register his second score  & the final try of the match with a strong run in from 30m out.

Scorers: Conall Mullarkey x3, Sean Deely x2, Dylan McCullagh x1, Oisin Parker x1, Siaosi Fiffita x1, Rory Bourke x1

Man Of The Match: Wyatt Post