After surviving a few close shaves in recent years, Galwegians finally found themselves relegated from the All-Ireland League division 1B on a dramatic final day in this season’s campaign.
Four places off the bottom going into this final fixture, Wegians were in pole position to survive the drop. However victories for fellow-strugglers Bruff and UCD, and crucially a bonus point win for the students, ensured those two clubs escaped the dreaded drop. All Wegians needed was a one bonus point, but their inability to take anything sealed their fate.
Despite a successful 90th year for the club, in which the u-17s, u-21s, ladies, and the junior side won titles, Galwegians senior XV will now join Corinthians in division 2A. However they will look to rebuild their side with a host of promising youngsters, most notably their u-21 cup winning side.
After a poor start to the season, Galwegians showed great spirit to recover well and get themselves right back into contention, before faltering at the end and failing to realise their potential.
On Saturday they got off to the worst possible start, conceding a try in the opening minutes and, with less than eight minutes gone, James Simpson scored a second try for Hinch. When Hinch scored try number three before the half hour mark, the home side had stretched their lead to 19-0.
An Eoin McKeon try, and a conversion and another penalty from outhalf Tadhg Leader hauled Galwegians right back into contention. But once again a crucial lapse in concentration cost the Blues as they conceded a fourth try.
The Blues came out fighting in the second half, reducing the deficit to nine through another Brian Murphy try. Leader converted and added another penalty,, reducing the deficit to just six points - enough to see them safe- but they coughed up a penalty which McAleese duly converted.
Galwegians XV: D Leader; M Dever, B Murphy, D Clarke; C Conroy; T Leader, R Shaughnessy; J Naughton, C Muldoon, J East; E Tarmey, B McClearn (capt ); R Fitzgerald, I Muldoon, E McKeon. Subs, C O’Connell, P Griffin, C Rigney, M Connolly, P Finn.
