SENIOR Rugby
Creggs win sets up big Cup Semi-Final
Connacht Junior Cup Quarter-Final
Creggs Rugby 20, Monivea RFC 6.
Creggs advanced to the Semi-Finals of the Connacht Junior Cup without ever really being threatened by Monivea in biting conditions at The Green on Sunday.
After the opening skirmishes Creggs established a foothold in their opponents 22 and a try from Ronan Cahill following a lineout drive opened the scoring after 11 minutes. Shane Dowd brilliantly gauged the wind in adding the conversion and it was a double blow for the visitors as out-half Ger O’Connor was sin-binned for a professional foul in the build-up to the try.
The wind was making life difficult on all fronts, both passing and kicking were at its mercy and Creggs centre James Brandon capitalised on an ill-judged Monivea pass with an intercept which saw him tackled just short of the line, in the ensuing play Creggs laid siege but the Monivea defence held, Creggs having to settle for a Ronan Dowd penalty to put his side 10-nil ahead after 25 minutes.
Creggs continued to press but added no further scores and found themselves a man down going into half time when Sean Og Higgins was sin-binned with 2 minutes of the half remaining.
On the turnaround Monivea’s right-winger Coleman Maher landed two well struck penalties but these were off-set by a try from Creggs wing-forward Alan Brandon, in fine form on returning from a long injury lay-off.
Next Maher fell foul of the Ulster referee Andrew Mitchell and his yellow card for a deliberate knock-on removed Monivea’s most potent weapon at a crucial period in the second half. Creggs effectively sealed the deal with a well taken try from right-wing Tom Flynn on 27 minutes after Monivea were heaved off a defensive five metre scrum.
The game finished with Monivea pressing for a consolation score and in unseemly fashion when after a melee in front of the Creggs posts, the referee rather unfairly singled out Creggs wing-forward Michael Feeley and Monivea full-back Seamy Fahy for cards, respectively red and yellow and what had been a tough but sporting contest to that point ended on this rather sour note.
Creggs now face Castlebar RFC away in the Semi-Final this Sunday at 2pm. It is hoped that a big crowd will travel to the Mayo venue to support Creggs in this one. Tuam RFC will be at home to Connemara RFC in the other semi-final, also on Sunday.
Creggs Rugby: Ronan Dowd, Thomas Flynn, Eoghan Coyle, James Brandon, Chris Duignan, Andrew Callaghan, Shane Dowd, Tom Fleming, Maurice Buckley, Aidan Leech, Brian Donoghue, Ronan Cahill, Sean Higgins, Alan Brandon, Brian Diffley, Brian Coady, Michael Feeley, Edward Clinton, Mark Brandon and Michael Fleming.
Referee: A Mitchell, Ulster Branch.
Development Team play Ballina in Creggs
Creggs Development team will play Ballina RFC on Saturday evening week in Creggs in their second-last League game of the season. A week later, Creggs Development play Ballyhaunis RFC away. After a week off, training continues on Tuesdays (8pm) and Friday’s (8.15pm) for the remaining three weeks. A big turnout and maximum effort is requested to finish the season on a high note.
New and returning players are always welcome to come along to training on the new 4G pitch in Creggs
YOUTH Rugby
Big Weekend for Girls Rugby
Next Saturday Creggs Under-14 girls will play Ballina RFC in the semi Final of the Connacht Under-14 Cup in Creggs at 12.30pm.
This is Creggs first year fielding in the Connacht Youth Girl’s Cups and the girls had a good win over Galwegians RFC in the previous round. However, Ballina will prove to be a very big test for the girls.
We wish the Creggs Under-14 girls the best of Luck as they try reach the Connacht Cup Final and we ask for a big Creggs support for the girls as Ballina always travel with good support.
And again on Sunday, the Creggs Under-16 Girls will play Galwegians RFC in the Connacht Plate Quarter Final at 12pm in Creggs. Again please support the Under-16 girls team playing this big game..
GIRLS – YOUTH Team’s FIXTURES
Creggs Under-14 Girls will take on Ballina RFC in the Semi Final of the Connacht Under-14 Cup on Saturday (16th. Feb.) at 12.30pm in Creggs.
Creggs Under-16 Girls will host Galwegians in their Connacht Under-16 Plate competition on Sunday (Feb. 17th.) at time 12 Noon in Creggs.
BOYS – YOUTH Team’s FIXTURES
Creggs Under-13 Boys will play Ballinasloe RFC in a Friendly on this Thursday night at 7.30pm in Creggs.
Creggs Under-16’s will play their first round of the Connacht Cup next Saturday away to Castlebar RFC at 2pm.
Creggs Under-18.5’s are currently down to Ballyhaunis RFC in the first round of the Connacht Under-18.5A Cup next weekend. Day and time TBC.
N.B. – Always check CreggsRugby.ie for any late changes to the fixtures.
YOUTH Team’s (Boys & Girl’s) TRAINING
Creggs Under-14’s & Under-16’s Girls Training on every Monday night at 7.30pm.
Creggs Under-13’s & Under-14’s Boys training on Tuesday nights at 7pm.
Creggs Under-15’s Training on Tuesday night at 7.30pm.
Creggs Under-17’s/ Under-18’s Training times this week to be confirmed by text.
MINI Rugby
Creggs Mini’s of all ages ( Under-6’s, Under-7’s, Under-8’s, Under-9’s, Under-10’s, and Under-11’s) will travel to Ballinasloe RFC for a blitz next Saturday with a 10.30 kick off.
The Creggs Under-12 players will travel to play at half-time in the Connacht v Cheetahs Pro-14 League game in the Sportsground on next Saturday. A bus will be going, so we wish all the players, their parents and coaches a great day out.