Galwegians 6
Buccaneers 5
Galwegians were the surprise winners of this season’s Connacht u-16 League, securing the title and the honour of representing the province in the All Ireland finals in April.
Up against favourites Buccaneers, who had been unbeaten all season, Galwegians produced an awesome display of grit and determination to finish as champions by the narrowest of margins in the Galway Sportsground.
Buccaneers entered the match on the back of a comprehensive victory over a strong Corinthian side, while Galwegians had pulled out all the stops to beat Sligo with a late try.
On Saturday Galwegians, with the strong wind at their backs, established a 6 - 0 half-time lead. Although centres John Conneely and Jonathon Daly made some strong breaks, the superb Buccaneers’ defence kept them out. Eventually two penalty kicks from Darragh Leader put them on the scoreboard, although it hardly seemed enough turning around into the strong wind.
Yet Galwegians, led by Paul Griffen, who was forced off injured, and Ronan O'Donnell, kept the ball in hand to rumble yard by yard up the pitch. Ross Brennan, Mark Barrins, and Jordan Healy were ably supported by the tough tackling Conor Murphy and Danny Deegan, and the hard working Gearoid Brennan and Michael Forrester.
It deprived Buccs of decent possession, and when they did gain a foothold, Galwegian wingers Gary Fox and Jordan Dooley and fullback Ronan Burke were defensively sound. Buccaneers, however, eventually managed to work their way downfield and with some excellent ball handling skills from the backs, they scored an excellent try in the left hand corner. In the difficult conditions, the try was unconverted, and with seven minutes remaining, Galwegians hung on to their slender one-point lead to claim the honours.
Galwegians: R Burke, G Fox, J Conneely, J Daly, J Dooley, D Leader, R O'Donnell, P Griffen (capt ), D Hanley, C Rourty, M Barrins, J Healy, D Deegan, C Murphy, R Brennan. Subs: G Brennan for Hanley, M Forrester for Rourty.
