The seniors got their competitive season off to a
flying start when they accounted for Thomond in the Charity cup last Friday
evening. Games against Thomond are always tricky and Friday was no different.
Winning by 26 points to 6, it certainly wasn’t one way traffic and the visitors
made the lads work hard for their win. It was great to see several of our new
players get some game time with Second row Francis Broderick and back row Cian
O’Connor both acquitting themselves well. It was however a player who we can
hardly call new, but nonetheless has returned to Shannon, Fiach O’Loughlin that
opened our account with a typical scrumhalf try. This came after Thomond opened
the scoring with a penalty and it took until late into the first half before we
breached the try line again. Gavin Murphy was on hand to take the final pass
after a scrappy enough lineout close to Thomond’s line. The second half began
with little in the way of possession for our lads, but despite this Thomond
failed to add to their six points. Andrew Finn came off the bench and was in
excellent form and almost immediately made a difference. Despite the lack of
possession, when we did have the ball it was used efficiently and effectively.
Andrew scored a try after his excellent break from his own half set up a scrum
on the Thomond line, and then as the game entered injury time he struck again.
Given this was practically the first game of the season, it
was a more than competent performance but Bigger tests are certainly on the
cards. The next round sees us play UL/Bohs this Saturday in Coonagh at
The seconds faced the same opposition in the Transfield cup
and the game went much the same way as the seniors. It was the usual bruising
encounter between the sides and at one stage we trailed by 10-6 after a rather
dubious penalty try was awarded against our lads. They clawed their way back
into the game with Joey Moran, one of our new summer signings giving a
faultless kicking display when landing two conversions and three penalties.
Once again Andrew Finn got on the score sheet when he crossed the line and
along with Philly O’Connor’s effort we eventually won by 23-10. There was
plenty of enterprising play in the game to pleased about with the lads showing a
great ability to run the ball from deep. The Set piece was also an area of
pleasure all of which bodes well. Next up me the Transfield Cup semi final is
Garryowen in Dooradoyle on Sunday at
The U/20’s have been training hard all summer and are rearing
to go. They don’t start competitive action for a few weeks yet, but on Saturday
at 12.30 they play Garryowen in a friendly in Coonagh.
The U/15’s kept up their impressive start to the season up
when they went to Annacotty and beat UL/Bohs in the league, by 15-10. As usual;
with these two sides there wasn’t much to separate them, but a tremendous
display saw our lads win out the day. There’s no let up in fixtures for the
15’s as they face Bruff this Sunday, again in the league, in Coonagh at 11.30.
The U/16’s and 18’s entertained Galwegians in training
fixtures with a win for the 18’s and a loss for the 16’s. On Sunday the 18’s
play a Highfield side coached by a former club player, hooker Nigel Daly.
Club registrar, Ger McCloskey would like to remind members
that the membership cards have yet to be printed, but as soon as they are, he
will send them out to members who have paid their subscriptions. The membership
book will be your receipt.
Finally we send our hearty congratulations to Tony Buckley
and his partner Elaine on their new addition to their family. Baby Ella was
born last weekend and all is well.
Andrew
Mc Namara
087 2717163
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