Creggs travelled to Athlone on Saturday night to face Buccaneers in the final round of their league games, needing a win to consolidate second position in the table before heading to the round robin play-off stages. The win was easily achieved on a 66-5 scoreline.
This was originally set to be a home game but a venue change was required (to Buccaneers) as Storm Éowyn had knocked out electricity for floodlighting in Creggs.
Creggs opened emphatically with early tries from Ronan and Shane Dowd to lead by 14-0 after 12 minutes of play, with Shane Purcell landing two difficult conversions from the left side of the pitch.
The impressive Purcell added a third Creggs try shortly afterwards, following a series of strong drives by the pack. Creggs secured the bonus point when the three Dowd brothers combined at blistering speed to send scrum-half Mark under the posts for an excellent try, with Shane Purcell’s conversion stretching the lead to 26-0, with just 25 minutes gone.
Winger Ronan Dowd added his second try of the evening after a defence-splitting run from Shane Purcell, who converted from close range. Brian Diffley ran 50 metres for a try just before half-time, adding to the substantial lead.
The second-half scoring commenced when the lively Darren Gately raced from halfway to score under the posts after a break by Shane Dowd carved the home defence apart in the 54th minute. Shortly afterwards Buccaneers scored a well-worked try out wide after some sustained attacking play to put five points on the scoreboard.
Substitute scrum-half Cormac Dolan added a fine try after another searing break by Shane Dowd, Shane Purcell’s conversion putting Creggs ahead by 54-5. Darren Gately grabbed his second try of the game when he touched down after a clever chip ahead by Shane Dowd.
Another try by Shane Purcell closed out the scoring to leave Creggs comfortably ahead of a Buccaneers team which showed occasional flashes of enterprising rugby but which lacked cohesion over the 80 minutes.
Creggs now enter a critical phase of the season with league and cup games coming thick and fast over the next six weeks.
Creggs: Shane Dowd, Mikey Dunne, Mark Purcell, Eoghan Coyle, Ronan Dowd, Shane Purcell, Mark Dowd, Tom Farrell, Nato Kiripati, Eoghan Cahill, Ciaran Purcell, Xavier Woodhouse, Ronan Cahill, James Brandon (captain), Brian Diffley, Mattie Curley, Danny Arnold, Cormac Dolan, Darren Gately, Lee Kilcoyne.
WOMEN INTO FINAL: Congratulations to Creggs RFC senior women’s team who have reached their first Connacht Senior Women’s League final after a hard-fought 15-10 victory over Sligo RFC on Sunday.
Creggs travelled to Sligo for a semi-final that was played in testing conditions, with strong wind and cold driving rain throughout the match. It was a credit to both teams that they served up a very competitive and lively encounter.
Creggs started the game the better and were rewarded when their captain, Susan O’Reilly, touched down to give them a 5-0 lead. Poor discipline after that score allowed Sligo territory and they capitalised with a very good score in the corner to level at 5-5.
Creggs went back on the attack after that score and after multiple carries it was Kelly Haugh who raced in for a crucial score to give Creggs a 10-5 half-time lead.
In the second half the Creggs team now had the better of the territory, using the elements well. Some excellent defence from the home side held Creggs out on a number of occasions before Jemima Adams Verling got in for a try with 17 minutes remaining.
Sligo to their credit got straight back on the attack from the kick-off and pressurised Creggs to make a mistake in the own 22 and from the resultant scrum the home team got over in the corner to reduce the deficit to just five points again.
It took some great defensive tackles in midfield to halt the Sligo progress and keep them in their own half. Creggs held on for the victory and a place in the final against current holders Tuam/Oughterard/Colts in just under two weeks. Thanks to Sligo RFC for their hospitality and the very competitive game.
STORM: The storm has caused havoc in the Creggs area, causing huge damage to the hinterland – knocking out power lines and water supplies which at time of writing have still not been restored. Fortunately we have no damage reported within the club grounds.
A number of games were cancelled as a result of the storm with only the adult men’s first team and women’s team playing last weekend (both away games).
LOTTO: The jackpot was not won and now rises to €4000. The lucky dip winner was Leo McGuinness. Please join our lotto online at www.creggsrugby.ie to help support all our teams’ expenses.
