Galwegians 50 Creggs 11
Creggs slumped to a heavy defeat in Saturday’s Junior League encounter with table-toppers Galwegians at Glenina. Short of several key players through injury,this was always likely to be a difficult assignment for Creggs,and so it proved,with the Wegians backline in rampant form ,against an overworked Creggs defence.
Creggs opened brightly,with Mark Brandon slotting an early penalty goal,before Galwegians were awarded a penalty try for a perceived infringement by the Creggs frontrow. Scrumhalf Conor Lowndes added the conversion and he subsequently kicked two penalties to give the home side a 13-3 lead midway through the first half. The loss of captain Bernard Kilcommons further disrupted the Creggs defence, and Wegians took full advantage with a try by winger David Symes, and another by former Creggs underage star, David Butler, before halftime. Brandon added a second penalty for Creggs to leave Wegians 25-6 ahead at the break.
Butler was in great form ,and he continued to be a huge threat to the Creggs team throughout the secondhalf, as Wegians pulled away to run in three more tries in quick succession. Creggs did respond with some attacking play,which culminated in Noel Flynn crossing for a try,following excellent work by outhalf,Ronan Kelly.
Creggs now take a break from League action,but with a difficult Junior Cup game away to Corinthians on December 22nd, a lot of work is needed to sort out weaknesses which were apparent in this game, when little went right for the players. However,one positive was the return to action of Milke Bligh and with more game-time,he should prove a major addition to the squad for the remainder of the season.This,allied to the return from injury of six frontline players,should help to bolster the squad for the daunting trip to Corinthians.
Creggs : Noel Flynn,Stephen Kilcommons,Damien Miskell,Bernard Kilcommons,Stephen Crehan,Ronan Kelly,Mark Brandon : Mattie Corcoran,Enda Garvey,Mike Tansey,Tom Fleming,Leo Nally,Peter Lohan,Trevor Nee, Kevin Brandon,Paul Mc Neill,Peter Corcoran, Padraig Gavin,Enda Tully,Mike Bligh,Declan Nee.