Sports
Galwegians win but defeat for Corinthians
The Ulster Bank League began at the weekend, and Galwegians recorded a win over Trinity but Corinthians failed to score in a 20 points defeat to Ballymena.
Gary O’Brien, Jerome Harrimate, Caolin Blade and Matt Dever scored the tries for newly-promoted Galwegians in their 25-17 win over the Students at Glenina, making them the only side in the division to record as bonus-point win.
Rory Parata kicked one penalty and one conversion in what was a typical season-opener contest, being a scrappy affair littered with knock-ons and errors.
The hosts got off to the perfect start with a try in the second minute when inside-centre O’Brien took a flat pass from Parata at pace to scythe through the student defence and score under the posts, which Parata converted.
Parata was off target with a subsequent penalty, but the hosts did extend their lead in the 12th minute when winger Matt Dever made an excellent break, drawing the cover before finding full-back John Cleary who sent winger Jerome Harrimate over in the right-hand corner.
The visitors got right back into the game in the 18th minute with a try from captain Paddy Lavelle, which out-half Jack McDermott converted; but Blade got in for a try just before the break for a 20-7 lead, and while Trinity hit back with 10 points in the second half, Dever secured the win – and the bonus point – late in the game.
However coach Matt Brown will know that there is much to work on and things to put right, before they travel to Limerick on Saturday face eight-time former AIL winners Shannon.
There was no such joy for Corinthians in Eaton Park as the home side ran out comfortable 20-0 victors, running in three tires.
While the scoreline does scant justice to the efforts of the visitors, it was the worst possible start to the campaign for them but they get the chance to bounce back immediately when they host Malone in Cloonacauneen Park this Saturday, also at 2.30pm.