Galwegians, still searching for their first win of this season’s Ulster Bank League, face another difficult assignment this weekend. They face one of last season’s newly promoted sides, Belfast Harlequins, on Saturday in Crowley Park, desperate to kick start their division 1b campaign.
Galwegians suffered their second successive defeat when they lost 21-10 away to All-Ireland Cup holders Bruff on Saturday.
While the home side deserved the points, Wegians will be kicking themselves for this was a game very much for the taking, yet they came home empty-handed.
Galwegians made the brighter start, going in front on 15 minutes when Tadgh Leader converted a penalty after a blindside break by hooker Conor Muldoon.
Bruff responded well, but they spurned several chances to put points on the board, kicking three successive penalties to the corner, only to be held up each time by a determined and resolute Galwegian defence. When outhalf Tony Cahill opted to kick for goal, he was once again wide.
Wegians seized control again, and full-back John Cleary should have scored but for a knock on with the line at his mercy. However the strong Galwegian scrum earned another penalty which Leader converted for a 6-0 lead.
The Blues seemed well poised to kick on from here, but instead they were left to rue a lack of concentration which effectively cost them the game in the final five minutes of the first half. From the restart an unforced handling error in midfield gave the initiative back to Bruff, and moments later they finally got their lineout maul working smoothly with flanker John Shine touching down for the opening try in the left-hand corner.
Although Cahill hit the post with his difficult conversion attempt, more ill-discipline saw Wegians cough up two further penalty opportunities before half-time, and the out-half finally found his range to put the hosts 11-6 to the good at the break.
Early territory and pressure saw Leader reduce the arrears to 11-9, and he put his side in front by 12 - 11 after a fine break by winger Paddy Finn after 60 minutes.
However Wegians once again conceded within minutes of scoring, and centre Brian Cahill, taking over the kicking duties, put the hosts back in front 14-12.
The key moment of the half came on 65 minutes when Ulster referee Stuart Gaffikin lost patience with the mounting penalty count against the Blues and lock Brian McClearn was sent to the bin. This gave the hosts the impetus they needed, and they eventually wore down the seven-man Wegians pack. On 75 minutes flanker Shine burst over from a five-metre scrum for his and Bruff’s second try, and Cahill’s crucial conversion put them nine points in front. In the last minute Shine was also binned, but Wegians’ attempt to run from deep in their own half came unstuck.
Galwegians XV: J Cleary; G O'Brien, B Murphy, T Leader, P Finn; D Clarke, D Moore; J East, C Muldoon, J Stephens; L Scahill, B McClearn; D Murphy, I Muldoon, E McKeon Subs, J Naughton, I O’Grady, B Lee, R Moore, O Tarmey.
