Galwegians claimed victory in the first home game of their AIL Division 2C campaign with a clinical performance over Midleton, beating the Cork side 41-22.
After defeating Tullamore in their opening game of the season, the Blues were determined to make their first home visit memorable. Crowley Park hosted Saturday’s match-up in tricky, wet conditions as the rain hammered down in the first half.
Line-outs appeared to be Galwegians’ strong suit and were the key to their success in the first half. From five metres out, the maul surged towards the try-line with Smith touching down for their first of the afternoon, with Tiarnan Neville adding the conversion. The home side continued the scoring just six minutes later. Although Midleton repelled the maul this time around, Galwegians opted to go wide and Shane Mallon scored on the left, his second try of the season.
Mallon did not have to wait long before adding another. From another line-out on halfway, Galwegians once again went wide, taking advantage of a three-on-one overlap for Mallon’s second. Neville’s kick gave the hosts a healthy 19-point lead.
The search for the bonus point try was complete by the half-hour mark with Mikey McGriff adding to Galwegians’ first-half tally following more line-out magic.
Galwegians continued their first-half rout with a fifth unanswered try. An advantage left a free play at their disposal, with Neville finding Barry Walsh with a crossfield kick to the corner to give the hosts 31 points advantage after Neville’s conversion.
A difficult opening 40 minutes for the visitors left them confounded, but they found some solace with a try on the stroke of half-time. A moment of brilliance from Fionn McGibney saw him chip the ball over the defence and found Rian Hogan at the corner flag.
As the showers dissipated for the second half, Midleton flourished as Hogan found space in the corner to put Midleton back on track. They grabbed another when Stephen Monaghan charged his way through the forwards to bring the visitors closer, with fullback Jack Colbert added the conversion to make it 31-17.
However, the home side put the game to bed in the 66th minute when new signing Garyn Daniel scored his first AIL try in Galwegian colours. The tried and tested method of the line-out routine proved effective once more as Daniel etched his name on the scoreboard, 36-17.
Midleton claimed a consolation bonus point try through Evan Donovan, but Galwegians ended the game on a high note when excellent footwork from Shane Mallon saw him burst through the Midleton defence to secure a hat-trick.
Galwegians head to Clonmel in County Tipperary this Saturday for round three of the AIL season (2.30pm ).
Galwegians: Jack Winters (Captain ), Ryan Smith, Garyn Daniel, Oisin Halpin, Eoin Tarmey, Jesse Va’asuaga, Dylan Keane, Liam Angermann, Andrew Sherlock, Tiarnan Neville, Barry Walsh, Mikey McGiff, Finn Tracey, Josh Munn, Shane Mallon. Replacements: Conor Joyce, Mike Loughlin, Bobby Power, Rob Deacy, Cian Brady.
