ADULT RUGBY

Creggs Development Team win away to Corinthians

Connacht J1C League

Corinthians 7, Creggs 17.

Creggs maintained their challenge for the Junior 1C league title with a hard fought win over Corinthians at Corinthian Park on Saturday evening.

Creggs enjoyed the advantage of a strong downfield wind in the first half and turned around leading 17 nil at halftime, thanks to well worked tries by Luke Meehan and Michael Feeley and two conversions and a penalty by the excellent Brian Cleary.

Thereafter, it was all rearguard action as Corinthians piled on the pressure but they were constantly repelled by a tremendous defensive effort by the entire Creggs team.

Corinthians finally broke through for a converted try with just three minutes remaining,but by then it was too little too late to deny this hungry Creggs outfit.

The ball retention by the Creggs players was a major factor in this victory with huge carries by the Cahill brothers, Danny Arnold and Tommy Curley setting the tone from the start.

Cleary put Creggs 3-0 ahead with an easy penalty before Luke Meehan showed his power and pace to brush past several tackles for a fine try after 18 minutes.

Feeley’s try minutes shortly before half-time gave Creggs a significant edge, but the loss of rampaging No 8 Ronan Cahill was a major setback when he was forced to leave the field in the opening minutes of the second half.

Creggs’ strength-in-depth was put to the test when Michael Holland and Seamus Collins also departed with injuries, but their replacements performed well to keep Creggs in control of an intense, physical contest in difficult conditions.

Creggs host current table toppers Ballyhaunis next Friday night, with an 8.30pm kick-off in a game which could have a major bearing on the outcome of the competition. Please support the lads v the League leaders, as they attempt to continue their winning run and gain promotion.

Creggs Rugby: Colin Canny, Barry Egan, Luke Meehan, Enda Muldoon, Gerard Comer, Michael Holland, Brian Cleary, Tommy Curley, Danny Arnold, Eoghan Cahill, Damien Miskell, Seamus Collins, Michael Feeley, Ronan Cahill, John McDonnell, Matthew Curley, Enda Tully, Padraig Geraghty, Eugene Fleming, Fiachra Temple.

First Team welcomes Bective Rangers to Creggs

Friendly Fixture

Creggs 5, Bective Rangers 0.

Creggs played Bective Rangers in a closely contested friendly fixture at The Green on Saturday afternoon.

Bective, one of the oldest club sides in Ireland, are coached by ex-international Bernard Jackman and they played their part in a game which wasn’t helped by poor weather conditions, making handling difficult for both teams.

Defences dominated throughout, but a late try by Maurice Buckley proved decisive, the Creggs hooker first to react when outhalf Shane Purcell’s cleverly placed kick created confusion in the Dublin club’s defensive system.

Aodha Hession and Tom Farrell made highly impressive debuts on their first outings with the Creggs adult team, while Conor Rohan, Michael Farrell and Amory Duarte also featured strongly on their return for the home side.

Full-back Eoghan Coyle gave an outstanding performance, with Chris Duignan and James Brandon also prominent for Creggs.

Creggs Firsts play Sligo next Sunday away in Strandhill – ko: 2.30pm.

Creggs Rugby: Eoghan Coyle, Andrew Callaghan, Tom Callaghan, James Brandon, Chris Duignan, Shane Purcell, Aodha Hession, Aidan Leech, Maurice Buckley, Tom Fleming, Eoghan Farrell, Kevin Brandon, Tom Farrell, Conor Rohan, Brian Diffley (Capt.), Matthew Curley, Michael Farrell, Amaury Duarte,

YOUTH

Youth Team Fixtures

(Check www.CreggsRugby.ie / Creggs RFC Facebook for Fixture updates). PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR TEAMS THIS WEEK !

BOYS

Creggs Under-13’s Connacht Cup Quarter-Final V Castlebar is fixed for this Wednesday night (11th.) on the 4G in Creggs at 7.30pm. Please support the boys.

Well done to all the Creggs Under-13’s players and coaches on their Last 16 win v Monivea last week in Creggs, to qualify for this Quarter-Final.

Creggs Under-16’s – After their thrilling 19-19 draw recently, Creggs Under-16 Boys will play the Replay of the Connacht Under-16 Division 1 League Final next Saturday, at 12 Noon in Castlebar. Please support the boys in this important Connacht Final.

Creggs Under-18.5’s play a friendly against US touring side, St. Augustine Prep. High School in Creggs on this Thursday night at 7pm. This follows a very good workout against Tullamore RFC last Saturday night in Creggs as they prepare for their Cup Quarter Final V Corinthians later this month.

GIRLS

Creggs Under-18 Girls will play Tuam/Oughterard away in the Quarter Final of the Connacht Under-18 Girls Plate this weekend. The Day and Time TBC. Please support the girls.

ALSO COMING-UP THIS MONTH:

Creggs Under-14’s play Corinthians Black in the Connacht Under-14 Plate Quarter-Final in Creggs on Saturday week (21st.) at 1.30pm.

Creggs Under-15’s White play the winners of Corrib or Gort in the Connacht Under-15 Plate Quarter-Final in Creggs on March 28th.

Creggs Under-15’s Maroon play the winners of Buccaneers Yellow or NUIG away in the Connacht Under-15 Plate Quarter-Final on March 28th.

Creggs Under-18.5’s play the winners of Corinthians away in the Connacht Under-18.5’s Cup Quarter-Final on March 22th.

SCHOOLS

Best wishes to all from Creggs RFC to the CBS Roscommon players and coaches who play the Connacht Schools Junior Cup Final v St Muirdeachs,Ballina in the Sportsground Galway this Wednesday (11th.) at 2pm. Please support the boys.