The battle of the bottom two turned out to be a war of attrition in the wind and rain of Crowley Park on Saturday and it was Galwegians, beginning the day four points adrift of UCC, that got the all important 13-6 victory thanks to a quick fire start to the game.
The early flurry of scores came against the elements and was born out of their determination not to let another result slip. UCC had the majority of possession and territory throughout the contest but just couldn’t find a way through but the losing bonus point might yet prove vital.
Galwegians were against the howling wind and rain in the first half but started with all guns blazing and pinned the home side back from the outset. The first score was a penalty try after a five metre scrum was pulled down by the home side. Tadgh Leader kicked the conversion, Jamie Stephens and Ja Naughton in the front row rightly got the plaudits.
A brilliant break from their captain John Cleary led to the home side’s next score, he made 25 metres deep into College territory and an infringement at the breakdown provided 19 year old Leader with the opportunity to add to his sides lead.
UCC were now ten points down playing with the wind and their prospects looked bleak. They upped the tempo as half time approached but despite finding themselves on the sky blues’ line twice, they couldn’t find a five pointer. Two penalties from Andrew Burke were their only return.
Galwegians missed a couple of early kicks which somewhat opened the door for a UCC fight back but once again they couldn’t turn territory into points and on the hour mark, Leader, who was prominent in attack and defense, pushed his side seven clear with another penalty.
For the home side a strong defensive effort led by the likes of Ivan Muldoon, Eoin McKeon and David Nolan who marked his return from injury with a win, helped to keep them in front in a frantic finale and sealed their second win of the season.
Galwegians: L Bibo; C Conroy, B Murphy, D Clarke, J Cleary; T Leader, B Lee; J Naughton, C Muldoon, J Stephens; D Nolan, B McClearn; D O’Hara, I Muldoon, E McKeon.
Replacements: L Scahill for O’Hara; D Murphy for Muldoon.
UCC: W Walsh; B Derham, A Burke, Joe Holland, C Crowley; John Holland, B Slater; G Duffy, K O’Byrne, J Ryan; B Quill, P Donnellan; J McCarthy, B O’Callaghan, J Ryan.
Replacements: N O’Donoghue for McCarthy; M Kenefrick for G Duffy.
Ref: Brian MacNeice
