Galwegians came out on top in the Connacht Senior Cup final against local rivals Corinthians in Glenina by 31- 26.
In an exciting encounter, both sides played an open game which produced nine touchdowns with the two tied at 14 - 14 at half time.
The home side were first on the scoreboard with a well-taken try by left winger John Cleary, who was ably assisted by outhalf Ross Shaughnessy. Fullback Darragh Leader added the extras before Corinthian outhalf Conor Murphy crossed out wide after good work by his inside half Dave Keogh. Corinthian's captain Fionn Gormley added the extras to level the scores.
The momentum swung the visitors’ way when flankers Arron Conneely and Pat O’Toole set up Murphy for his second try, with Gormley converting from the touch line.
However the contest changed just before the break when Corinthians centre Cian Begley was yellow carded for killing the ball. Galwegians grabbed the initiative with a quick tap, allowing centre Rory Parota to slip through the Corinthian cover to touch. Leader added the extras from out wide to level the contest at 14 each.
Galwegians turned on the heat with a fine individual try by left winger Colin Conroy after the restart, and they added a third midway through the half. The pack did the leg work allowing scrumhalf Barry Lee to break through the cover and centre Brian Murphy finished off. Leader converted before setting up Conroy for Wegians’ fifth try.
Although the contest was wrapped up, Corintians refused to give up. Fullback Darren Classens set up young Kieran Flaherty for an unconverted try and minutes later fine work by scrumhalf Dave Keogh provided Conneely with the chance and he made no mistake, side-stepped the cover before crossing. Gormley added the extras, leaving five points between the sides.
Corinthians now return to Ulster Bank League action when they entertain bottom-of-the-table Malone on Saturday (2.30pm ), while Galwegians face the trek to Banbridge where the local outfit has only picked up two wins this season.
