Match Result
- Result: Galwegians U17 22 - Buccaneers 17
- Venue: Dubarry Park on Sun Apr 19th 2015
- Competition: Connacht U17 League
Match Report
Galwegians U17’s won the Connacht League in a superb contest when they overcame their hosts and rivals Buccaneers in Athlone on Sunday afternoon.
Wegians started well and deservedly went in front through a try by scrum-half Robert Hennessy on seven mins, which was converted by Jonah Culligan. The Blues were well on top for most of the opening period, but were unable to make their dominance count as their plucky hosts kept them at bay. Indeed their inability to score looked like being costly as Buccaneers scored just before half time, through a fine solo effort by winger Tommy MaGann. This was converted by Kyle Higgins to level the game.
Buccs then got a further shot in the arm after the restart when a penalty by Higgins put them in front for the first time. However Wegians knuckled down to the task and refused to panic. Shortly after entering the fray, a great run by substitute Hugh Lane saw him cross in the corner for a well-taken try to regain the lead for the Blues. Culligan then landed an excellent conversion from the touch line, and he tagged on a penalty soon after to stretch their lead to seven.
The Blues looked to have sealed it with a third try scored by Jasper Byrne following some enterprising play by Eamonn Kelly, giving them a comfortable 22-10 lead with 10 minutes to go. However Buccs refused to lie down in characteristic fashion, and they stormed back from restart with a try from Cory Reed, which was converted by Higgins. Try as they might, they were unable to breach a determined Wegians defence who held their line intact in the closing stages and secure a deserved victory.
Leo Galvin of the IRFU presented the League trophy afterwards to the victorious Wegians captain Tiernan Surlis.
Celebrations were somewhat curtailed however, as Wegians now face Creggs away in the U17 Cup semi-final on Wednesday evening.