Brennan and O’Keeffe touch down for vital tries as Wegians edge out Cork Con

Galwegians 12

Cork Con 11

GALWEGIANS got off to a winning start in their inaugural Division 1A League campaign at home to the hotly-fancied former champions Cork Constitution at Crowley Park on Saturday.

With a host of retirements and some new players settling in, it was very much unknown territory for the Blues, but they dealt adequately with the threat posed by the opposition. Played in bright sunny conditions, the visitors had the aid of a stiff first-half breeze and started with intent.

However they were stunned by their hosts who took an early lead with their very first attack. Following swift hands through the backs, it was a club underage product, centre Cormac Brennan who burst through a gap and showed pace, strength and determination to evade the covering defence and score the game’s opening try inside three minutes. Out-half Aidan Moynihan struck what ultimately proved to be a crucial conversion to give Wegians a 7-0 lead.

Con responded by dominating territory, but they rarely threatened the Wegians line and made scant use of their possession. The Wegians defence was dealing comfortably with the threat, and indeed had the best scoring opportunities of the half when Con full-back Dara Lyons was binned for a dangerous high tackle on the impressive debutant winger Ed O’Keeffe. Despite playing into the strong elements, the Blues twice came close to scoring a second try only for the final pass to go astray.

However the hosts were getting on the wrong side of the penalty count, with referee Stuart Gaffikin punishing them at the breakdown. Eventually the chances came for Con, and out-half Tomas Quinlan bagged two penalties in the second quarter to reduce arrears to 7-6.

For all that, Wegains finished the stronger and were desperately unlucky not to add to their lead before half-time. A strong lineout maul seemed to pay dividends, only for the Blues to be penalised for a double movement. Then Moynihan misjudged the swirling breeze with a very kickable penalty on the stroke of half-time.

At the turnaround the home team were looking strong, but as so often happens, it was the side playing against the elements who took the initiative. The visitors played a good possession game taking the game to their opponents. However the Blues were able to utilise the stiff breeze to relieve the pressure with one monster clearance by Moynihan bringing play deep into the Con 22.

In contrast to the visitors, Galwegians finally made use of the elements and made their pressure tell. Just before the hour mark, an excellent turnover from a lineout maul saw the ball sped right to left. And more quick hands fed winger O’Keeffe who dived over in the left corner for an excellent try. Moynihan’s difficult conversion attempt came up short to leave them with a precarious six-point advantage.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.