Match Result
- Result: Galwegians U20 11 - St Marys 17
- Venue: Crowley Park on Sun Nov 24th 2019
- Competition: JP Fanagan U20 League Premier 2
Match Report
Unbeaten table toppers St Marys College RFC rode in to Crowley Park on Sunday to play our second placed team in this JP Fanagan (U20)- Premier 2 League clash. This game was eagerly awaited and turned out to be another excellent advert for this level of Rugby, competitive, hard fought and, above all, clean from start to finish.
The visitors came with an enviable record having racked up some 160 points in their four games and equally remarkable defensive performances conceding just 35. Despite being short several regular starters on the day, however, our boys made light of the apparent superior strength of our opponents and started brightly being rewarded with a successful penalty kick by debutant out half James Deacy after 10 minutes.
The lead was short lived as Marys scored a fine try through left winger Max Whelan, out half McAuliffe missing the conversion. Not to be out done we gained a foothold in Marys half and, following great support play right wing Lambertus Hechter crossed in the corner. Deacy was wide with the difficult conversion from the touchline. Nonetheless we finished the half with our noses in front by 8 points to 5.
The second period proved to be nip and tuck with neither side exerting any particular dominance. After 10 minutes we were dealt a cruel blow when a loose pass was intercepted by Marys wing Jack McSharry and he went in unopposed. McAuliffe added the easy conversion.
When fullback Luke Mannion scored a fine try for Marys with an hour on the clock it looked like the game was up for our boys. However this team simply never gives up and managed to get back in the game with another Deacy penalty to leave six points between the sides with 5 minutes remaining. Not being satisfied with a losing bonus point we threw everything at Marys but their excellent defence remained resolute for the remainder of the game.
NUIG are next up in Dangan next Sunday. Please come out and support the lads in this local derby. Kick Off is at 2PM. A quite lengthy Christmas break follows so it would be wonderful to ensure success against both city rivals before the holidays!
