After a disappointing exit from the AIB Cup last weekend, Galwegians return to division one league action when they host Clontarf at Crowley Park on Saturday (2.30pm ).
This fixture will test Galwegians’ resolve to finish in the top eight against a side that has loftier ambitions to be one of the four semi-finalists.
After an early run of six victories, Clontarf certainly appeared poised to finish in the top four. However a dip in form and three defeats to Dolphin, UCD, and UL Bohemians, has seen them drop into sixth position. As a result they will be targeting Galwegians as a game to win and will travel to Galway with a real hunger to return to winning ways.
Some four places below them sit Galwegians. Yet the Glenina outfit is not far behind, with five wins from their nine outings. Once again the lack of bonus points has widened the gap on Saturday’s opponents who, with 28, are just two behind leaders Cork Con and Blackrock College.
Yet these two sides should provide a competitive tussle and it should not be all one-way traffic if Galwegians up their concentration levels, and their defence. Clontarf’s season has been marked by a particularly strong defence - they boast the best defensive record in division one to date - and as a result Galwegians will need to take every opportunity to put points on the board. Fullback Rob O’Beirn could well be a key figure for the home side, and hopes will be high he is in kicking form for any chances that might arise.
In division three Corinthians have a real opportunity to consolidate their position at the top of the table when they host Banbridge at Corinthian Park. The Cloonacauneen outfit is setting the pace, two points ahead of a chasing pack of five, and they should continue this form against a Banbridge side struggling in 14th place.
Connemara, in a comfortable seventh place, are away to 12th place Naas, and this should be a good chance to pick up vital away points.
The weekend also sees the conclusion of one of the most exciting junior league campaigns for city side Corinthians when they face Castlebar on Sunday in a must-win game to stay in title contention. A bonus point win would secure the league, but if they fail, and Monivea, just a point behind, succeed in bagging a five-pointer against Corrib, both sides would finish level, requiring a play-off to decide the title.
Last Saturday Galwegians were undone in the AIB Cup quarter-finals in injury time by division two title chasers Ballynahinch who deserved to take the spoils for their hunger and resilience. The Ulster champions took the game to Galwegians in a first half in which they opened up a 21 - 3 lead as a result of some poor defence from the home side. Outhalf Cormac O’Beirne was called on within the opening minutes to stop a certain try, and although he produced some fine line kicks, allied to a superior scrum, Galwegians were struggling to gain a foothold against an eager Ballynahinch side. When the home side did gain some ground and attacked the Ballynahinch line, a turnover in midfield resulted in a counter-attacking try for Ballynahinch right wing Stuart Morrow after 12 minutes. Galwegians, however, created the opportunities, but could not find a way through the Ballynahinch defence, and the Ulster side’s backline proved well able to run from all parts of the field, complementing their scavenging forwards. A turnover set them up for a second try with fullback Adam Craig supplying hooker Neil Hanna for the touchdown, and three minutes later the influential Craig finished off for the third.
O’Beirn got the home side on the scoreboard before the break with a penalty, but in the second half it was the home side who dominated completely, taking advantage of some great touchfinders to establish territorial control. Thereafter the forwards took over, battering the Ballynahinch line relentlessly until finally lock Dave Nolan forced the touchdown after 12 minutes.
Sixteen minutes later it was the backline who grabbed the spotllight after O’Beirne chipped through, Chris Brigl gathered, and Barry Murphy finished, cutting inside the cover.
Galwegians deservedly grabbed the lead three minutes from time with a pushover try, with O’Beirn’s conversion making it 22 - 21. However Ballynahinch staged their one and only rally of the second half, and it paid dividends. A quickly taken line-out inside the half caught Galwegians off guard, and, with numbers out wide, Craig was able to take advantage, crossing for a winning try.
