Connacht Junior League 1: Ballyhaunis 15 Creggs 42. Creggs had to battle hard before sealing victory with three tries in the final quarter to give a slightly flattering look to the scoreline in this keenly contested league game at Ballyhaunis on Saturday night.
Ballyhaunis have struggled this season and are doomed to relegation but they really went down fighting with a spirited display, which augurs well for the future of this proud club.
Creggs led by 18-12 at half-time with tries from impressive out-half Shane Dowd and dynamic second-row Alan Glennon with Dowd also kicking two penalties and a conversion.
Ballyhaunis responded with two tries from Paddy Gallagher and Brendan Cleary, with full-back Ryan Conway landing a superb touchline conversion.
Creggs went further ahead in the 51st minute when the referee awarded a penalty try after a period of sustained pressure, which Shane Dowd converted. With Ballyhaunis tiring, Creggs began to run the ball at every opportunity and this policy yielded fine tries for winger Luke Meehan and full-back Michael Holland before Shane Dowd rounded off the scoring with a blistering run to the try-line for a superb solo score.
The Ballyhaunis ground staff deserve great credit for the condition of their pitch after a week of heavy rainfall which rendered many grounds unplayable.
With players of the calibre of full-back Conway, out-half Gabriel Gallagher and second row John Nolan to the fore, Ballyhaunis look well capable of reversing their fortunes next season.
Creggs are due to play Tuam RFC away next weekend, the day and time are yet to be confirmed.
Creggs: Michael Holland, Michael Farrell, Peter Lohan, Tom Callaghan, Luke Meehan, Shane Dowd, Chris Duignan, Tom Fleming, Brian Coady, Aidan Leech, Eoghan Farrell, Brian Donoghue, Alan Glennon, Kevin Brandon, Alan Brandon, Enda Tully.
Connacht Junior League 2: Creggs 5 Galwegians 27. Creggs suffered a heavy defeat in Saturday evening’s Junior 2 League encounter against a strong and skilful Galwegians team. They played some sparkling rugby to run in five tries with some strong running and excellent support play by both backs and forwards.
Captain Enda Tully scored a fine try for Creggs to leave Galwegians 15-5 ahead mid-way through the second-half but the Galway City team broke through for two late tries to run out easy winners at the end of a lively contest played in ideal conditions at The Green.
The seconds have no match next weekend. Training is on Friday with new and returning players always very welcome.
Creggs: Aidan Geraghty, Philip Leech, David Feeney, Barry Egan, Thomas Greene, Stephen Crehan, Brian Coady, Enda Garvey, Eoghan Cahill, Seamus Collins, Kevin Raftery, Graham Curran, Edward Clinton, Mark Hester, Damien Nolan, Enda Tully, David Hoare, Rory O’Donoghue, Declan Nee.
Youth Rugby: Last weekend, the very wet weather saw Connacht U-14 and U-16 cup ties cancelled and the Connacht U-18.5A League Final also postponed due to a waterlogged pitch in Athlone.
U-18.5s: The Connacht League Final against Corinthians RFC, which was cancelled last weekend due to a waterlogged Dubarry Park, has been re-fixed for Sunday week (March 19th).
U-16s: The Connacht Cup game v Corrib RFC in Creggs will be re-fixed and probably take place next Sunday, time to be confirmed.
U-14s: The Connacht Cup game away to Corinthians RFC has been re-fixed for this Saturday at 3 pm in Galway. Training continues on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
U-13s: Creggs will play their last Connacht A League Game on this Saturday away to Westport RFC. The game is scheduled for 1.30 pm, but may be moved back due to Féile hurling on Saturday.
Mini Rugby: Last weekend, wet weather saw the Connacht U-10s Blitz being postponed until April.
This weekend, Creggs Minis will travel to Claremorris Colts for a Blitz. The blitz will kick off at 10 am. Games will be played at Boys U-8, U-9, U-10 and U-11, U-12 and also U-12 Girls.
The Creggs U-11 Boys were to attend their Connacht Blitz in Buccaneers in Athlone on Saturday but that has been postponed until April 1st due to unplayable pitches. They will now attend the blitz in Claremorris.
