Galway Tribesmen were 62-42 victors in a high scoring contest against Dublin City Exiles in Saturday's Rugby League fixture.
The first outing for the team in its new kit sponsored by Hyundai Galway and in partnership with Act for Meningitis, the Tribesmen were keen to impress. The match was two minutes old when James ‘Junior’ Kennedy skipped across the line to open the Tribesmen's account, with Conor Loughrey adding the conversion.
The lead, however, did not last long when the experienced Adam Cox scored, with the two points levelling the contest.
Myles Upton and Gavin Dolan were impressive for the Tribesmen, setting the platform for the backs,and it eventually paid off in the 17th minute when Seosamh McDonagh crossed for four points, with Loughrey converting.
The Exiles, though, were determined to push the Galway men all the way. In a period of control, centre John Rhattigan crossed for their second, followed by Collie Ryan on 25 minutes.
Tribesmen responded well with converted tries from Ed O’Keeffe, McDonagh and Loughrey to put them ahead 30-16 at the break, and they continued to forge ahead, again through Loughrey, Kennedy and O'Keeffe for a 52-22 lead.
The Exiles were not finished, and bagged tries from Ryan and Cox in seesaw but the result was never in doubt after Nathan Cooley scored his first try, and Shane Faulkner finished the scoring for the Tribesmen after Rhattigan secured his hat-trick for the opposition.