U17 Boys 26 – Creggs 32

Our U17 Boys bowed out of the Cup at the semi final stage under the lights in Creggs on Wednesday evening.

After a tense opening 10 minutes, Wegians were awarded a scrum 5 metres out. This led to some serious forward carries by Emmanuel Makinde, Adam Finn and Barry Gavin and finally they drove Micháel Walsh over for the opening try. The conversion by Conor gave the blues a 0-7 lead.

Creggs hit back immediatelty when their 10 Kaylum Curran raced through a gap to send 8 C Tiernan under the posts, with the conversion making it 7-7.

A huge defensive effort by Galwegians then kept Creggs out as they launched a series of attacks. Vital tackles were made by Sam Allnutt, Max Wall Cooke and James Coleman that led to Adam forcing a penalty and Conor O'Reilly clearing our lines.

Some impressive play by Bren O'Byrne resulted in Creggs being forced into a goal line drop out which was collected by Alban Hart who beat his man and sent JJ Phillips through a gap to touch down. Conor's conversion made it 7-14 to Wegians.

Once again Creggs got in for a try. With half time almost upon us Micháel Walsh drove himself forward from a 5 metre penalty to make it 12-19 in our favour at the break.
Creggs nailed a penalty early in the second half and followed up with a converted try to lead 22-19.

Despite some last ditch defending from Sean Cloherty and Bren, the Creggs centre got in for their fourth try.

Injuries to our half backs James and Conor led to a reshuffle for the last 15 minutes. Creggs kept attacking but Wegians defended manfully to stem the flow. With 5 minutes left Curran again spotted a gap to bring the score to 32-19.

Showing great character, the Blues players kept fighting and were rewarded with a lovely Dara O'Coilean try which Bren converted. The final score was 32-26.

The lads left the pitch beaten but unbowed to rapturous applause from the travelling supporters.