Creggs win over Connemara in Under-20’s Cup Qtr. Final

Connacht Under-20 Cup Quarter-Final,
Creggs 34, Connemara RFC 17.

Creggs Under-20’s defeated Connemara RFC by 34 to 17 in the Quarter-Final of the Connacht Under-20 Cup in Creggs last Sunday on a beautiful spring afternoon and the sun shone on the Creggs efforts. T

his was a much tighter game than the scoring indicates. Connemara came with seasoned players and from the off they got their game plan working. A series of hard one off carries at the Creggs defence saw them drive into Creggs territory and resulted in a penalty in front of the posts. 3 0 to Connemara and suddenly the home team knew they were in a match.

The Creggs lads got themselves organised and began to get control of the game. A series of hard drives by the pack and some astute game management by Shane Purcell and Ronan Dowd at half back brought Creggs within sight of the Connemara line. Brian Diffley then showed his strength and power and he burst through to score a vital try.

A few minutes later Eoghan Coyle repeated the trick racing nearly the length of the field to score in the corner.

From then on Creggs were in command and began to pass the ball and make inroads but Connemara were heroic in defence. Time and again halting Creggs attacks. However with half time approaching a beautiful backs movement put Martín Quinn in space on the wing and he scored the third try.

Creggs looked comfortable and seemed to be in control as the ref indicated that time in the first half was nearly up. A loose defensive kick was snapped up by Connemara and they punished the home team for their lack of concentration. They converted and went into the break trailing by nine points.

The second half started at a frantic pace as Connemara gathered the kick off and launched an attack great handling and a missed tackle saw them score in the corner. Game on!

At this stage Creggs were rattled but Danny Arnold showing why he was a youth international scored a brace of tries both converted and Creggs seemed home and dry.

David O Gorman crossed the line following a great drive by the pack but the referee couldn’t see the grounding and the chance was lost. Connemara continued to fight but fresh legs from the Creggs bench saw the home side hold on.

James Mulrooney, Paraic Gaffey, Brian Coady, Jamie Ryan and Rooney Gunn made their Under-20 debuts and Rian Beisty and Jason Hoare also returned after missing the season through injuries.

Creggs will now play Corinthians RFC in the Cup Semi-Final this Sunday at 1pm in Creggs. The winners of that will play the winners of the other Semi-Final between Ballina RFC and Ballinrobe RFC.

Creggs Rugby: Edward Clinton, Mattew Curley, Shane Purcell, Ronan Dowd, Brian Diffley, Eoghan Coyle, Martín Quinn, Danny Arnold, D