After a poor start to the season, Galwegians have given themselves a massive boost ahead of their next Ulster League division 1b outing at Crowley Park on Saturday (2.30pm ).
Having secured two wins on the bounce, Galwegians now face bottom-of-the-table UCC, who are pointless from their first four outings. This is a home fixture Galwegians must win if they are to maintain the momentum from last Saturday’s 26-13 win over UCD at Belfield.
That bonus-point victory, which saw Wegians move up the table, was achieved on the back of a strong performance from the pack, which dominated the exchanges up front against their lighter opposition. Crucially, it also allowed the Wegian backline, led by centre Barry Murphy, to shine.
Although playing against the breeze in the first half, Wegians took the game to their hosts and opened the scoring after 10 minutes. A well-worked backline move saw winger and converted scrumhalf Barry Lee score his try of the season, converted by outhalf Matthew Jarvis.
The students replied with a penalty from outhalf Niall Earls, but Galwegians remained in control with the pack outmuscling their opponents, and halfbacks Dave Moore and Jarvis controlling proceedings.
Wegians deservedly extended their lead shortly before the break when another good backline move saw the promising ex-Blackrock College centre Kyle Tonetti score a try on his Galwegians debut. Jarvis was wide with the conversion before Earls struck his second penalty to reduce arrears to 12-6 on the stroke of half time.
However the visitors wasted little time in making the most of the elements in the second half. A thundering hit by centre Brian Murphy soon after the restart led to turnover ball, and following a good charge upfield by Moore, winger Lee was once again the beneficiary, crossing the whitewash for his second try. Jarvis converted to put Wegians 19-6 in front.
The Dublin students responded immediately, producing a sustained attack on the Galwegian line. However some excellent defence and a superb tackle by Eoin McKeon lifted the siege for the visitors.
Galwegians went in search of the bonus point and it arrived before the hour when another excellent hit by the outstanding Murphy turned defence into attack, and this time the Shrule native finished off the move himself to score the clinching fourth try. Jarvis converted to put his side 26-6 to the good.
The students’ response was a try by fullback Michael Twomey who scored near the corner on 70 minutes, and Earls’ conversion made it 26-13. Although Wegian sub Tadhg Leader was sinbinned, Wegians kept their defensive line intact to ensure a well-deserved first away win in this year’s campaign.
Galwegians: J Cleary; C Conroy, K Tonetti, B Murphy, B Lee; M Jarvis, D Moore; J Naughton, D Murphy, J Stephens; E Tarmey, B McClearn; I O’Grady, I Muldoon, E McKeon. Subs: J East, R Fitzgerald, C Muldoon, P Finn, T Leader.
