A struggling Galwegians suffered another disappointing All Ireland League defeat on Saturday when they unexpectedly went down to division one newcomers Bruff at a rain-sodden Crowley Park by 22 - 11.
Despite a good start for the home side, Bruff enjoyed superiority up front and they made it count, particularly in the second half.
Promising young Galwegian outhalf Tadgh Leader set up field position for Galwegians early try, and from a five-metre scrum, a strong shove created the opportunity for lock Brian McClearn who took a scoring pass to touch down near the left corner. Fullback Rob O’Beirn was narrowly wide with the conversion, leaving the hosts 5-0 in front.
However the visitors, superior in the set piece, established territorial control and took advantage of a positive penalty count through veteran centre Brian Cahill, who landed two kicks in the 16th and 27th minutes.
Wegians responded well and a good passage of play created a penalty opportunity with John Clary adding the points to restore the lead. It was short-lived as the visitors, having won three penalties in quick succession off scrums, restored their one-point margin on the stroke of half time with his third successful penalty from four attempts.
With the elements unrelenting in the second-half, the Co Limerick side struck the decisive blow with their only try in the 45th minute. From a penalty kicked to touch, captain and hooker Cathal O’Regan eventually got over from a driving maul, with Cahill adding the extras to put the visitors eight points in front. Cahill stretched to 19-8 with another excellent penalty from near halfway to put the visitors in the driving seat.
Wegians eventually began to assert themselves in the final quarter and were rewarded when Rob O’Beirn struck a penalty to reduce the deficit, but dogged Bruff defence and a lack of inventiveness meant the hosts were unable to make any further dent on the scoreboard.
The visitors made certain of the four points when Cahill landed a fifth penalty in front of the posts and they comfortably closed out to record their third successive win to move into the top half of the league table.
Galwegians XV: R O’Beirn; D Fanning, D Butler, D Clarke, J Cleary (capt ); T Leader, R Dillon; J Naughton, C Muldoon, J Stephens; ABrowne, B McClearn; I Muldoon, N McCarthy, E McKeon. Replacements, L Bibo for Butler (60 ), I Cullinane for McKeon (60 ).
