Creggs Firsts defeated Corrib in the opening round of the Connacht Junior Cup on the Creggs 4G pitch on Sunday. The Headford team arrived in Creggs as underdogs but they started impressively, leading 5-3 after 15 minutes before Creggs settled into the game.
The opening exchanges were frantic with Shane Purcell scoring a penalty after six minutes before Corrib responded with a well-taken try after a strong run by winger Daniel Afeau was halted just short of the line.
Shane Dowd crossed for a Creggs try in the 28th minute but a Corrib penalty levelled the score at 8-8 shortly afterwards. A sweeping backline move created an overlap for Darren Gately to touch down in the right corner in the run-up to half-time.
Turning around 13-8 ahead, Creggs added another try in the 46th minute from flanker Lee Kilcoyne after a strong drive by his pack. Prop forward Mattie Curley then produced some slick footwork to dive over for another Creggs try which Shane Purcell converted from the touchline.
Even though currently in Division 1C, Corrib continued to carry the fight to Creggs and were rewarded with a second try from close range after good work by their forwards.
A brilliant try by Shane Dowd put Creggs ahead by 30-13. Corrib scored a third try in the 72nd minute with the conversion leaving Creggs ahead by 12 points. Corrib couldn’t close the gap any further but they deserve a lot of credit for a wholehearted and skilled display which bodes well for their hopes of gaining promotion back to 1b next season.
Creggs will be well aware that an improvement is necessary if the team is to finally bring the Junior Cup back to the village.
Creggs: Shane Dowd, Ronan Dowd, Mark Purcell, Eoghan Coyle, Darren Gately, Shane Purcell, Mark Dowd, Tom Farrell, Nato Kiripati, Mattie Curley, Ciaran Purcell, Xavier Woodhouse, Lee Kilcoyne, James Brandon, Brian Diffley, Eoghan Cahill, Sean Óg Higgins, Michael Feeley, Cormac Dolan, Mikey Dunne.
GIRLS U-14s: Creggs RFC 38 Buccaneers RFC 0. Creggs RFC U-14 girls played Buccaneers RFC in the very first playing of an U-14 competitive league final. The final was played on Saturday at Ballinasloe RFC as a neutral venue.
The girls were unfazed by the occasion and put in a dominant display from start to finish. From the start the attack was ferocious and the defence even better. Going in with a healthy lead at half-time the girls were advised to keep up the intensity.
The second half saw an even better display from all the team and they came away with a very impressive and well deserved win. Try scorers on the day were Clodagh Finneran, Saoirse Scott and Sophie Dwyer with Darcy Thorose kicking the conversions. The presentation was made by Vice-President of Connacht Rugby, Tom Horgan who handed the perpetual shield to captain Isabelle Boyle and vice-captain Leah Connolly. This was a great effort by the team and coaches to get a big panel of players ready. The club are very proud of your special achievement.
Creggs panel: Isabelle Boyle, Keeva Glennon, Afia Darby, Kate Thompson, Clodagh Finneran, Melissa Tansey, Mia Dolan, Leah Connolly, Ailbhe O’Connor, Maisie Holmes, Ella Finneran, Eabha Finneran, Kayla Walsh, Muireanne Mulry, Darcy Thorose, Soairse Scott, Lily Higgins, Lily Richardson, Julianna Gaynor, Dearbhla Gregg Haugh, Sophie Dwyer, Ellie May Jameson, Grace Tighe, Megan Kilroy, Laoise Flaherty, Ali Farrell, Carrie Killian, Lana Cox, Emer Timon, Sarah King.
U-14 BOYS: Creggs RFC 19 Carrick-on-Shannon RFC 17. The U-14 Boys Connacht League final was postponed from last weekend with frozen pitches throughout Connacht and was eventually set for Creggs on Saturday. In a game befitting a final and between two good sides, it was an epic battle, won by Creggs.
It’s a great testament to the team and management after a long first half of the season with training and matches. Congrats from the club on another Connacht title. The coaches want to thank the parents for travelling and following the team to each game this year. Also a big thanks to referee Kieran Cooney who did a difficult but impressive job on the day. The presentation was made by Adrian Leddy, representing the Connacht branch.
Creggs: Leo Geraghty, Ronan Loughrey, Ryan Sharkey, Adam Farrell, Jack Crean, Bobby Harpur, Harry Feeley, Ryan Hegarty, Harry Trimble, Callum Kilcommons, Eoin Callaghan, Charlie Madden, Niall Kelly, Harry McDermott, Peter Watts, Shane Smyth, Ruairi McNeela, Ben Payne, Dara Cummins, Cian Featherston, Ewan Devine, James Doyle, Noah Costello, Jonah Harrington, Pierre Ward, Jack Jordan McDermott, Conor Donoghue, Dylan Connaughton.
U-16 BOYS: On Saturday, Creggs Boys U-16s travelled to Dangan to play Galwegians/Galway Bay in a play-off game to decide cup seedings. Having lost to the same side in November Creggs were determined to get one over the hosts this time out. Creggs ran out nine-point winners on a scoreline of 21-12.They now await the cup draw with the win giving a higher seeding position.
Creggs panel: Cathal Mulry, Matthew Donnelly, Connor Hannon, Darragh Killeen, Oisin Connolly, Kian Hughes, Andrej Anic, Robbie McArdle, Sean Richardson, Harry Waldron, Sam Walsh, Dominik Mrozek, Conor Flynn, Jamie Finneran, Brian O’Connor, AJ Tully, Callum Clarke, Patrick Murray, Patrick Conneally, Patryk Zwierczyk, Joseph McSharry.
U-16 GIRLS: Creggs Girls U-16s had a comprehensive win over Ballina in their seeding game before the cup draw. This game was played on Sunday in Creggs with the visitors coming up against a well-oiled, highly functional side. Creggs scored 11 tries and five conversions in all as Ballina failed to score as a result of a comprehensive defence by the Creggs side.
Try scores were Ella Dwyer x 2, Emily Kelly x 3, Sarah Mitchell, Chloe Coyne, Isabelly Sassuarna, Ella Gannon, Abbey Keane and Amy Hannon. Conversions were kicked by Ella Dwyer, Chloe Coyne and Abby Kane. It’s now hoped that the win will give a good seeding for the upcoming cup draw.
U-17 BOYS: Creggs Boys U-17s welcomed Monivea RFC to Creggs for a pre-cup seeding game on Sunday. Creggs won 22 to 19. The next competitive outing for this group will be the first round of the cup.
LADIES: Congrats to our Creggs RFC ladies who played again on Saturday last in Virgin Media Park, Cork with the Clovers team in the Celtic League.
Ivana Kiripati and Jemima Adams Verling were both selected to play with Jemima also scoring a try during the game. Congrats ladies, you are making our little club very proud.
MINIS: Creggs minis travelled to Buccaneers RFC on Sunday in huge numbers. Our U-6s travelled for the first time and trained with their hosts. Buccaneers were great hosts and had treats for the kids after the blitz. Thanks Buccaneers RFC for the great day out.
LOTTO: Our club lotto jackpot was not won and now increases to €3800. The lucky dip winner was Jimmy Conneely. Please check to see if your membership of the lotto has lapsed. To support the running of our teams please join online at www.creggsrugby.ie
THIS WEEKEND: Creggs 1st and 2nd teams are out again this weekend in the cup and the plate. The first team has been drawn to play Ballinasloe RFC away on Sunday and our Seconds have received a tough draw against Galway Corinthians’ 2nd side at home. This will be a tough challenge against an AIL club’s second side but Creggs will be up for the challenge. No kick-off times at time of going to press.
