5 years ago GALLEN CS, FERBANE DEFEAT ATHLONE CC TO WIN CONNACHT SCHOOLS JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT RUGBY LEAGUE FINAL”
GALLEN CS 11 – ATHLONE CC 7
On the 26th of November Gallen CS, Ferbane took on Athlone CC in the final of the Connacht Junior Development League Final in Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo with with Gallen CS kicking off to Athlone CC.
Gallen defended brilliantly with Clive Keena stopping Athlone CC full back in his tracks with a very well timed tackle.
Gallen were awarded a penalty which Sean Flynn kicked to the corner to put Gallen in a very good attacking position. The first half saw errors on both sides who were understandably nervous on the occasion which resulted in penalties being conceded by both teams.
Gallen eventually found their feet and their backs began to make some decisive and threatening attacking plays which put Athlone CC under pressure. Athlone came back into the game but with some great tackling by Aaron O Reilly, Jamie Kelly and Lorcan Daly as well as some defensive clearances by Sean Flynn stopped them going ahead. Athlone CC missed a penalty on the call of half time leaving the game scoreless at the break.
The second half saw Athlone start brightly , pinning Gallen CS in their own half but the Ferbane lads held strong with Aaron O Reilly once again to the fore in making tackles. After a great run by Luke Gavin Mangan through the Athlone defence, Gallen were awarded a penalty which David Nally slotted over to give Gallen a 3-0 lead. Athlone hit back and their work was rewarded when their number 2 crashed over for a try and converted by their number 12, leaving the score Gallen CS 3, Athlone CC 7.
Aaron O Reilly made a great run for Gallen and earned them a penalty which David Nally put over to reduce the margin to just one point.
Gallen CS then got the decisive match winning score when a great run by Sean Flynn lead to a pass to full back Nathan Poland who dived over for the try. Gallen were now in front and showed great courage and determination with Nathan Poland later coming close to a second try! Nevertheless, Gallen held on to take the league crown.
It is worth noting that Gallen’s roll of honour at junior rugby now reads, Connacht Junior Development Cup Winners 2013 and 2014 and now Connacht Junior Development League winners 2014. They will now progress to compete in the Junior Cup next year.
Gallen CS Team
Ruairi Carroll, Griffin Dunican, David Gavin, Sean Ibbotson, Aaron O Reilly, Conor Kenny, Lorcan Daly, Ethan Rowe McCormack, Max Feehan, Sean Flynn, Clive Keena, Jamie Kelly, Luke Gavin Mangan, David Nally and Nathan Poland. Subs – Jason Tully, Lorcan Buckley, Oliver Cusack, Javier Diaz.
Manager – Mr Steven Mc Grath.
Athlone Community School Team
Attrio, D. Toohey, J.Garvey, O. Rocke, A. Murray, P. Toland, R. Keighery, A. Lynch, J. Nugent, T. Moody, L. Fallon, D. Gately, M. Muloony, A. Francis, S. Henry.
Thanks to Adrian Hynes TY for the compilation of this article.
