This week sees a break in competitions as a lot of our underage players will join up with the respective Connacht under age PTS groups.

However, next Sunday, Creggs Under-16 girls will travel to Ennis RFC for a friendly before their cup game the following weekend.

Other teams also have participation games with the Girls Under-18’s due to play Ballina RFC, the Under-13 Boys due to be away to Sligo RFC and Under-14 Boys are home to Oughterard RFC, all games are subject to pitch availability following a lot of cancellations last weekend throughout the Province.

Creggs Under-18.5’s come up just short

Creggs RFC 11 Corinthians RFC 19

Last Sunday morning the Creggs Under-18.5’s came up just short against the League champions and Cup favourites Galway Corinthians RFC. It was difficult conditions for both teams and this game was in the balance right up to the last 5 minutes when the visitors got in for the the deciding try.

The Creggs lads played with the wind in the first half, but it was the visitors who got off to the better start and got in from a try through their bigger pack when picking and going from the base of rucks.

To their credit, the Creggs lads kept to the script and were trying to move the ball around the oppositions bigger pack, however in the strong wind this sometimes proved difficult.

Two penalties in the first half saw the Creggs lads leading 6-5 at half time, however the loss of Eoin Kelly early with a shoulder injury was going to be a loss in the second half against the elements.

The second half the Creggs lads continued to attack and played by far the best rugby of the game in this period when up front Ciaran Purcell, Ben Johnson and lee Doyle carried time after time and Cormac Dolan, Edimar Filho and Mark Kilcommons were casuing their opponents damage out wide and they were rewarded with a try through Jack Fleming to take a 11-5 lead half way through the second half.

The bigger Coritnhians pack and their larger squad playing with the wind needed to get the next score and after a series of pick and drives they eventually dived over from close range under the posts and converted for a 12-11 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

The Creggs lads needed to score and needed to throw the ball around and in the conditions was always going to be difficult and some great carries up front from Aindriu Oates, Darragh Gilleran, Aidan Hoare and Michael Hoey.

Conor Betts, Senan Lambe and Patrick Charles tried to get aroud the defence out wide but when a loose pass went to ground, the visitors now again had the ball and again they used thir big pack to pick and go.

Although some super defence from Tomas Tiernan, Ciaran Purcell,who again touched down under the posts to complete the scoring. The Under-18.5 boys will now go into the Connacht Plate competition while Corinthians advance to the Semi-Final of the Cup competition.

Creggs Rugby: Ben Johnson, Tomas Tiernan, Miquel Arthur, Aidan Hoare, Darragh Gilligan, Eoin Kelly, Ciaran Purcell, Lee Kilcoyne, Cormac Dolan, Darren Gately, Josh Adams Verling, Mark Kilcommons, Edimar Filho, Jack Fleming, Senan Lambe, Conor Betts, Patrick Charles, Aindriu Oates, Michael Hoey.

Creggs Under-13s scores big win v Ballinasloe RFC

Creggs RFC 51, V Ballinasloe RFC 17.

It was a victorious first outing in the Connacht Cup by the Creggs Under-13 Boys who set out their stall early in this game and went from strength to strength after that, scoring nine tries in total.

Sam Walsh took the plaudits with a storming display of finishing on the left wing. He finished the game with 5 tries, two in the first 12 minutes and completed his hat trick before half-time. He added two more by the time he was replaced 10 minutes into the second half.

Creggs were in control from early and with Walsh scoring 3 first half tries and Daniel Nerney on hand to finish a sniping run by scrum-half Patrick Murray, meant the result was never in doubt.

The second half started like the first finished with Kian Hughes receiving the ball on the Creggs 10 metre line before brushing aside a couple of defenders and bursting down the pitch to score under the posts.

Ballinasloe got a score on 8 minutes before Niall Tinon finished a superb team move when a Raymond Mullin’s off-load gave him an handy score.

The game was rounded off with a fine score in the corner by Daniel Nerney after another Ballinasloe try. Harry Waldron also converted three of the tries in a solid display from the tee.

This was a super team effort and some resolute defending was rewarded with scores at the other end. A dominant pack left a good platform for Patrick Murray and Sean Richardson to work off as scrum-halves and Harry Waldron directed things very well at out-half. Super tackling from Joseph McSharry and Jack Lally kept the opposition frustrated. Well done to all involved on the day.

Creggs Rugby: AJ Tully, David Fetherstone, Connor Hannon, Darragh Killeen, Oisin Connolly, Cathal Mulry, Joseph McSharry, Robbie McArdle, Patrick Murray, Harry Waldron, Sam Walsh, Jack Lally, Daniel Nerney, Luke Hayes, Brian O Connor, Fionn Heavey, Kian Hughes, Callum Clarke, Dara Kelleher, Sean Richardson, Raymond Mullin, Niall Tinon, Andrej Anic, Michael O Brien, James Murray, Cathal Davis, Eoin Croghan.

Creggs Under-14 Boys lose narrowly in the Cup

Creggs RFC 10, Galway Bay RFC 12.

Creggs Under-14 boys hosted Galway Bay in Creggs for their last 16 encounter in the Connacht Cup. It a very difficult day for rugby – a very strong wind and a wet day.

Galway Bay played with the wind in the first half and they were not long taking advantage of it. In the 10th minute the Galway Bay full back took the ball and broke the first tackle and was away to score under the posts. The conversion attempt was slotted over to give the visitors a 7 point lead.

Creggs worked hard up front and were rewarded by getting themselves on the score sheet with a well worked try finished by Kaylum Curran. His attempt at conversion dropped short to leave the score 7 points to 5 in favour of Galway Bay at half time .

With Creggs playing with the wind in the second half they used every opportunity to pin Galway Bay back by kicking wisely. This pressure eventually was rewarded by a cross field kick by Daniel Fleming seeking out the winger Luke Skally. Luke had to bring his soccer skills in to play to control the ball and then pounce on it to score Creggs second try. The conversion was missed which left the score 10 point to 7 in favour to Creggs.

The travelling team never gave up and always looked dangerous when running out of their own 22. Their determination payed off when Galway Bay got a break from a suspected forward pass. The Creggs defence stopped momentarily and the result was a try for the visitors.

This turned out to be the last play of the game. The conversion was missed but still the game went to Galway Bay by 12-10.

YOUTH TEAMS TRAINING

Girls Rugby:
Creggs U-14 Girls Training is on Monday evening at 7pm.
Creggs Girls U-16/U-18 Training is on Monday evening at 8pm.

Boys Rugby:
Creggs U-13 Training is on Wednesday at 7.30pm.
Creggs U-14 Training is on Wednesday from 7pm – 8.15pm.
Creggs U-15 Training is on Thursday night at 7pm.
Creggs U-16/U-17’s Training is on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Please keep an eye on Creggs Facebook page for updates and any enquiries please contact Dave Purcell on 087 7000547.