Cawley Cup Quarter-Final

Creggs Rugby 13, Tuam 11. (after extra time)

Holders Creggs advanced to the semi-finals of the Cawley Cup (away v Dunmore RFC this Sunday) after a titanic opener to the season.

The Creggs First team shading Tuam RFC whose last gasp penalty attempt in the second period of extra time fell agonisingly short as the final whistle sounded.

This was a game of ferocious intensity, defences very much on top and scoring chances at a premium. A big physical Tuam side gave no quarter throughout and although Creggs monopolised possession in the opening exchanges there was no way through.

Creggs finally made a breakthrough after 25 minutes when Danny Arnold, making an impressive senior debut, burrowed over from a rolling maul for an unconverted try. This was quickly cancelled when Tuam replied in kind leaving the teams tied 5-5 at the interval.

Danny Arnold breaks the gain-line for Creggs supported by Alan Brandon and Brian Donohue. Pic. Ben Finnerty

Elliot Jennings made a big statement immediately after entering the fray with a long searing run which almost delivered a try but the only scores in an attritional second half were an exchange of penalties leaving the sides tied 8-8 at full time.

And so to extra time, after just 2 minutes Jennings again split the Tuam defence, this time going all the way. However, the try was unconverted and when Tuam landed a long-range penalty at the start of the second period, the game hung in the balance with Tuam in the ascendancy but running out of time. It all came down to their failure to land the last kick of the game and Creggs progressed to the semi finals.

Lifted by Ian Whittington and Aidan Leech, Brian Donahue soars to win line-out possession for Creggs v Tuam. Pic. Ben Finnerty

In addition to the aforementioned Danny Arnold, Matthew Curley and Robert Clark also made their senior debuts and Ian Whittington played his first game since joining the club this season. Brian Diffley has also be selected as the new Captain of the First team for this season. Aidan Leech is the new Vic-Captain. Congrats to all.
Creggs Rugby: Eoghan Coyle, Luke Meehan, James Brandon, Tom Callaghan, Chris Duignan, Mark Brandon, Andrew Callaghan, Sean Og Higgins, Danny Arnold, Aidan Leech, Ian Whittington, Brian Donoghue, Kevin Brandon, Alan Brandon, Brian Diffley (Captain), Elliot Jennings, Maurice Buckley, Matthew Curley, Peter Lohan, and Robert Clarke.

See pictures of the game HERE