Galwegians continued their recent run of good form when they overcame Buccaneers in the preliminary round of the Connacht Senior Cup on Saturday by 11-5.
Played in the Sportsground side pitch due to a waterlogged Crowley Park, both sides were understrength as a result of players on duty with the Connacht Eagles.
Lock Dinny Mulvey, scrumhalf Marty Connolly, and backs Shane Thompstone and Salthill GAA star Eoin O’Mahony made their debuts for the Galwegian senior side, which adapted quicker to the conditions. They drew first blood with a Dave Clarke penalty, and, with scoring chances limited, they scored the crucial first try of the game when back Gary O’Brien finished off a move to ground the ball over the line, giving his side an 8-0 half-time lead.
Wegians continued to hold the upper hand in the second period, and Clarke stretched the advantage to 11-0 with a a second penalty.
Injuries did not help Buccaneers’ cause and they were forced to finish the game with just 14 men. However they staged a late rally, and a charge from Callum Boland resulted in an unconverted try.
Galwegians will now face Sligo at Crowley Park on Saturday December 22.
Galwegians’ u-21s were rewarded with a 15-15 draw against Dolphin on a bitterly cold day at Musgrave Park on Saturday.
Behind by 15 - 8 with eight minutes remaining, Wegians showed great patience and self belief as they forced a succession of penalties on the Dolphin line. Eventually Dolphin were handed a second yellow card, and Wegians held their nerve as No 8 Eddie Earle battled his way over. Scrumhalf Conor O’Rourke slotted the conversion to secure a valuable draw.
