Galwegians' division one credentials will be tested by Old Belvedere when they return to Dublin for their third Ulster Bank League division one challenge on Saturday (2.30pm ).
Despite a disappointing and frustrating defeat away to Terenure last Saturday, Galwegians know they have nothing to fear in the top flight, but they will need to improve their discipline.
Old Belvedere have become a highly competitive side in recent years. Since winning division 1B six seasons ago, they have consolidated their position in the top division, finishing runners-up on two occasions.
They ran Clontarf close last weekend, losing 20-14, but they were comfortable 27-8 winners over Terenure, who took the spoils over Galwegians last weekend by 32-21 at Lakelands.
It was a disappointing and frustrating defeat for the Galwegians who lost their way in the second half, having led at the break by 9-5.
After Terenure took the lead through a Harry Moore 11th minute try, Galwegians took control of the game, and although struggling to make the breakthrough, outhalf Aidan Moynihan landed two penalties by the end of the first quarter.
Although the hosts were reduced to 14 men when Cathal Deans was binned, Galwegians only score came from a third penalty, and Terenure, even with their captain James O’Neill in the bin, took control.
Capitalising on the rising penalty count in their favour, and the loss of second-row Sean O’Brien to the sinbin, Terenure bagged their second try when Kevin O’Neill's sniping break from a ruck sent Oisin Heffernan home untouched. O’Neill’s brother Stephen added the extras and another penalty to stretch their lead to six.
Wegians were again reduced to 14 men when centre Brian Murphy was binned, and they paid the price. Terenure centre Harrison Brewer broke down the right with Eoin Joyce crossing, and the conversion gave the hosts a 22-5 lead.
When Terenure sub Niall Lalor also saw yellow, Galwegians were rewarded with a penalty try from a driving maul, and Moynihan's conversion cut the deficit to 22-16. Crucially, however, as the Galway side pressed for another score, Nure outhalf James O’Donoghue picked off an intercept, sprinting 40m to score under the sticks for the fourth try and bonus point.
Galwegians continued to force the pace and were rewarded when Paddy Finn scored a great try out wide, but the conversion drifted wide, and with time running out, the hosts struck a late penalty to send Wegians home empty handed.
Galwegians XV: Gavin Tynan; Ed O’Keeffe Shane O’Leary 49 ), Cormac Brennan, Brian Murphy, Adam Leavy; Aidan Moynihan, Caolin Blade (Barry Lee 49 ); Ja Naughton (cpt ), Jack Dinneen (Juan Anaya 53 ), Jason East; Sean O’Brien, Anthony Ryan; Marc Kelly, Josh Pimm, Paddy Finn.
In division 2A Corinthians suffered a second defeat, losing away to Banbridge 33-13. It does not get any easier for the Cloonacauneen outfit as they must return to Ulster on Saturday when they will face Malone in a bid to get their first points of the Ulster Bank League.
In division 1B Buccaneers made it a treble of Connacht club losses last weekend. In a high-scoring game, Brett Wilkinson's side suffered a 42-38 defeat to Old Wesley, but picked up a vital bonus point. Currently fourth in the table after their opening day victory, they host third-placed Blackrock College at Dubarry Park on Saturday.
