Jes boys have no answer to physically strong Roscommon rivals

CBS Roscommon 36

Colaiste Iognaid (The Jes) 0

IT was a case of one year older and one year wiser for CBS Roscommon at the Sportsground on Wednesday as they produced a domineering display in the Top Oil Connacht Schools Junior Cup decider to become the first side ever from the county to win a major schools trophy in the province.

Having lost out to St Gerald’s of Castlebar in a thrilling final last season, CBS Roscommon showed the kind of composure and work rate normally associated with a schools rugby powerhouse during the contest. This was especially key in the first half as they kept a spirited Colaiste Iognaid at bay before grinding out two hard earned tries for a 12-0 half time lead.

The Jes started very well with Jake Gallagher, Jack Browne and Cathal McGuiness to the fore allied with some intelligent out half play from Diarmuid Codyre, but the early attacks didn’t yield points and CBS Roscommon slowly began to gain the ascendancy as the half wore on, especially in the forward exchanges.

The first try for CBS Roscommon underlined the difference between the sides when it came to power around the fringes as second row Ria Biesty burst through three tackles on his way to a barnstorming opening score which Shane Purcell neatly converted.

The lead was extended to 12 by half time after tighthead prop Melvin Conteh took advantage of a small gap at the fringe of a ruck five metres out and got in for the second try despite the desperate effort of two defenders

The Jes needed to score first after half time but an injury to key man Codyre didn’t help in that regard. CBS weren’t easy to contain either and five minutes into the second half Conteh scored his side’s third try to stretch the lead to 17 after some hard work from the likes of Killian Higgins and Daire Byrne in the build up.

As the game drew to a close CBS Roscommon continued to shine with the excellent Jason Hoare – part of a strong centre partnership with Niall Cunniffe – notching two tries and the superb James Brandon underlining a great all round game with a try of his own to crown a resounding performance.

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