It is the Tribesmen versus the Treaty men on Saturday and there is much at stake for both rugby league sides when they clash at the Claddagh on Saturday
Now in their fourth season competing in the Munster League, the Galway Tribesmen are currently top of the table, but they now face the current Munster league holders and seven-times All Ireland champions on Saturday.
From humble beginnings, the Tribesmen have gone from strength to strength in the past four years to have a real chance of turning their dreams of silverware into reality this season. They have already beaten the the Treaty City Titans on their own turf this season, so they will enter the fixture with real optimism.
It has been a wonderful season for the Tribesmen, sealing their current top of the table position last weekend against the Cork Bulls, and all but guaranteeing a home final on July 18 against the team that finishes second.
Last weekend's victory was sealed in the last minute, when the Tribesmen, behind by two points, grabbed victory when Jack Burke crashed over to register four points to round off his man of the match display. With the conversion missed, the Tribesmen finished 22-20 winners.
The game had started in typical fashion with both teams displaying some aggressive defence, before Sean Wason worked his way over the line on the 10 minute mark , with Conor Mackay converting.
It was not long before Cork responded with their own score, but with a missed conversion, Galway still led by 6-4.
Strong running up the middle by Peter Bracken and Rory Mannion began to pay off and the Tribesmen extended their lead to 10-4 with Packie Curran bursting over the line on the 22nd minute.
Cork, however, regained the initiative through Mick Milne, and by the 35th minute the Bulls had registered two scores lead by 14 – 10. With just a minute before half time James ‘Junior’ Kennedy sneaked across the white wash to level the scores and the teams went into the break at 14 points apiece.
The Tribesmen committed a number of errors after the restart which resulted in the Bulls scoring on the 44th minute and with the conversion secured, the Bulls led by 20-14.
A solid and organised defence stopped the Bulls increasing their lead, but it was not until the 68th minute that Galway scored again when Kennedy touched down after a number of smart plays from the midfield trio of Sean Wason, Conor Mackay and Daithi Joyce. With the conversion missed, and just a minute left on the clock, the Tribesmen finished with aplomb to grab the win and go top of the table.
