Creggs RFC 9 – Tuam RFC 5

 

For the second year in a row Creggs have come away with the Connacht double having won both league and cup in 2025 and again in the 2026 season. Playing in the Dexcom Stadium in Galway on the Bank Holiday Monday was the finale for the season. From a slow start the season momentum built month on month to finish up winning the cup. Creggs kicked off and played with a strong wind. After 11 minutes Tuam broke from a scrum and a huge tackle by Shane Dowd forced the break into touch. On 16 minutes Creggs won a penalty on the Tuam 10 and Ronan Dowd scored for a 3 -0 lead. On 28 minutes Creggs moved the ball at pace with Eoghan Coyle before releasing the backs in the opposite direction. Shane Dowd made a line break of 30 meters before passing to James Brandon who offloaded 5 out to Jack Fleming but the ball was knocked on. Creggs piled on pressure at this stage and another penalty was converted by Dowd to lead by 6. A third pen in extra time sailed wide with the usual Galway wind affecting the kickers.

 

Tuam started the 2nd half with purpose and only through a massive defensive effort they were held scoreless. After 50 minutes Tuam won a penalty on the 22, 15 meters in but again the Galway wind saw the penalty go wide. Creggs pushed forward with big carries by the pack winning a penalty 30 meters out but with the strong wind a kick to touch was a better effort. Tuam then broke up field getting touch at the Creggs 5 meter line. A good driving maul saw them score a try but again the wind affected the conversion leaving the score 6-5. On 70 minutes Creggs won another penalty on the 22 and this time Dowd went for the 3 points successfully. Leading into the last 10 minutes 9-5 Tuam were forced to carry the ball as a try was needed. An interchange of penalties saw Tuam kick for another lineout on the 5 meter line. If ever a Captain was required to lead his team, saw James Brandon collect the Tuam throw in at the front and Creggs were back in charge. Within minutes the Referee was blowing his whistle leading to huge celebrations. Congrats Team and Management.