ADULT RUGBY

Creggs win away to Westport in Connacht Junior Cup

Connacht Junior Cup

Westport RFC 9, Creggs Rugby 16.

Creggs advanced to the quarter-finals of the Connacht Junior Cup following an absorbing game away v Westport RFC on Saturday evening last.

Conditions weren’t bad, despite incessant overnight rain swept in off the coast before clearing mid afternoon. It was heavy underfoot, which did slow the play for periods, but it proved a right good Cup game.

Creggs opened in determined fashion and led by 6 nil after 15 minutes,thanks to two fine penalty goals by out-half Shane Purcell. The Creggs pack tore into their bulkier opponents from the start, and excelled with their speed and mobility around the park.

Gradually, Westport got to the tempo of the game and centre Kevin Corcoran showed his intent with a barnstorming 50 metre run which Creggs halted with difficulty. The introduction of experienced prop-forward Tom Geraghty after 25 minutes was greeted with enthusiasm by the home fans, and he made his presence felt in the scrum while also becoming prominent in open play.

Creggs maintained their lead until half-time, but two well-struck penalties by Westport out-half Tom McHale levelled the contest before a third Shane Purcell penalty edged Creggs ahead once more.

Westport mounted some determined attacks and came close to scoring on a number of occasions but excellent defensive work by Creggs kept them out.

With the game delicately poised entering the final quarter, a well placed clearance by Mark Brandon bounced favourably for flying winger Kevin Gavin who caught the ball at top speed and he sprinted 60 metres for what would prove to be the game’s decisive moment. Shane Purcell’s conversion gave Creggs an invaluable 10 point lead.

Westport’s reply was to pile on the pressure, and they were rewarded with another McHale penalty to reduce the deficit to 7 points.

Creggs survived a nervous last five minutes of additional time when Mark Brandon was sin-binned and were relieved when the referee blew for full-time, much to the disappointment of a Westport team which had thrown everything into the contest . This was typical Cup fare, with both teams enjoying periods of supremacy in a contest which tested the character and commitment of this young Creggs’ team.

The quarter-final draw was not particularly kind to Creggs, resulting in an away tie against the reigning champions Connemara in a repeat of last year’s final. However, if Creggs can reduce the error count, they are well capable of creating an upset in Clifden next Sunday (kick-off 2pm).

Creggs Rugby: Shane Dowd, Kevin Gavin, James Brandon, Eoghan Coyle, Ronan Dowd, Shane Purcell, Andrew Callaghan: Tom Fleming, Danny Arnold, Aidan Leech, Brian Donohoe, Ian Whittington, Peter Lohan, Brian Diffley (Captain), Kevin Brandon, Sean Og Higgins, Eoghan Farrell, Ronan Cahill, Tom Callaghan, Mark Brandon.

ADULT TEAM TRAINING

This weekend, the Creggs Under-20’s, Development squad and First team are training at 8.15 pm on Friday evening.

YOUTH RUGBY

Great win for Creggs Under-14 Girls

Connacht Under-14 Girls League

Creggs RFC 36 Ballinasloe RFC 12

Creggs Under-14 Girls played Ballinasloe RFC in awful conditions on last Friday night in Creggs. It is a credit to both teams that tried to play open and running rugby on a wet and windy night, facilitated in no small way by the excellent all-weather 4G pitch.

Eight tries were scored on the night. Although the scoreline looks one sided, this was a very competitive game with players on both sides showing great skill in both attack and defence.

On the night, tries from Sarah Purcell and Jemima Adams Verling and conversions from Siofra Hession were the Creggs scorers, and there was excellent displays upfront from Julie Ann Fahy, Isabelle Quinn, Stacey Corbally, Mikayla Gilooly and out the backs from Grace Mannion, Leah Heavey and Shauna Walsh were excellent in both attack and defence. A great performance from all the girls.

Creggs Under-13’s loose out by narrow margin in thriller

Connacht Under-13 League

Creggs 22- Ballina 24

A very enjoyable game for spectators with 8 tries in total. It was nip and tuck all the way with two decisive tries just after half time that swung the game in Ballina’s favour.

Next up for the Creggs Under-13’s is v Galwegians on this Saturday (18th.) at 3 pm, on the 4G pitch in Creggs.

Three Creggs players line-out for East Connacht Under-15 side

Three Creggs Under-15 players lined out for for the East Connacht Region v the Central Connacht Region on the 4G Pitch in Creggs recently.

Creggs players Adam Flynn, Aindriu Oates and Andy Quinn who lined our for the East Connacht Region recently.

YOUTH TEAMS – FIXTURES
(Check www.CreggsRugby.ie and Creggs RFC Facebook for Fixture detail updates!)

Creggs Under-18.5s will play Buccaneers RFC in the Connacht League in Creggs on Saturday at 5pm. A win could see Creggs qualify for the Connacht League Semi-Finals.

Creggs Under-16 Boys play Galwegians RFC in the Connacht League this Saturday in Creggs at 7pm. This game sees the League’s first versus second in what promises to be a really top game.

Creggs Under-15 Boys play away v Oughterard RFC this weekend in thE Connacht League. Day and time TBC.

Creggs Under-13’s Boys play Gallwegians RFC in the Connacht League in Galway next Saturday at 3pm.

GIRLS
Creggs Under-16 Girls will play Claremorris RFC away in the Connacht Under-16 League Semi Final on Saturday. This game has a 12pm kick-off in Claremorris.

YOUTH TEAMS – TRAINING

Creggs Under-18.5’s training TBC.

Creggs Under-17 Boys training on Wednesday night at 7pm in Creggs.

Creggs Under-16 Boys training on Wednesday nights at 7pm in Creggs.

Creggs Under-15 Boys training Wednesday night at 8pm in Creggs.

Creggs Under-14 Boys training Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7.30pm in Creggs.

Creggs Under-13 Boys training every Wednesday night at 7pm in Creggs.

GIRLS – TRAINING
Creggs Girls Under-14 Training Under-14 continues each Monday at 6.30pm.
Creggs Girls Under-16 and Under-18 Training continues every Monday at 7.30pm.

MINI RUGBY

Big day for Creggs MINI Rugby proves very successful

The Creggs Under-10 and Under-11 Mini Rugby squads hosted Carrick on Shannon last Saturday. The Under-7s, Under-8s, Under-9s, and Under-12s also had training in Creggs. All teams showed no regard for the inclement weather. Thank you to all the coaches and parents for their support on the day.

Blitz on this Saturday in Creggs
This Saturday, Creggs will host Buccaneers RFC for a Blitz on this Saturday. All players are asked to be ready to play at 10.15am, for 10.30 kick-offs.

New MINI Rugby Players Alway Welcome
Creggs MINI Rugby always welcomes new players. We will have boys and girls teams from Under-7 (six year-olds) through each year up to Under-12’s. Come along and try it out on Saturday mornings. Registration is available on-line and the new season that will run through to April 2020.

Parents welcome to help with coaching
Parents are very welcome to help with coaching (full training provided) or to help support the great efforts at Creggs MINI Rugby coaching team.