The Claremorris Colts’ U-16 team got their season underway on Sunday morning last, with a hard-fought win in a rain-drenched Loughrea.
The Colts made the brighter start but could not convert their dominance with an early score on the board. It took until the 14th minute to get the game’s first score when, after some excellent play by Cathal Walsh and TJ Byrne, Jack Vahey touched down under the post. He then dusted himself off and kicked the conversion to give the Colts a 7-0 lead.
The Colts’ defence clearly switched off after Vahey’s try and back came Loughrea to pile on the pressure for the visitors. After some very poor Claremorris tackling, Loughrea got their opening score of the day to cut the deficit to just 7-5.
Just when it looked like this is how the first half would finish, the Colts won an opposition scrum and after a number of phases of play Danny O’Brien got the Colts their second try of the game. Jack Vahey kicked his second conversion as the visitors enjoyed a half time lead of 14-5.
The second half was high on endeavour but low on scores as both teams found it difficult to make that final try scoring pass. Indeed it was the 58th minute before the only try of the half was scored. It was the outstanding TJ Byrne who got in under the posts after some excellent play by the Colts’ forwards who got the score. Jack Vahey sealed his third conversion of the day as the game finished with an excellent win for the Mayo team by 21-5.
The game saw a fabulous display of rugby from all members of the Claremorris team particularly TJ Byrne, scrum-half Stephen Murphy and the always-reliable Danny O’Brien. So the Colts get their opening league win of the season, let’s hope the ‘Glory Days’ continue for the remainder of the season.
Team: L. Osborne, J. Vahey, C. Hanley, TJ Byrne, D, Barry, C. Walsh, S. Murphy(c), C. Lavery, J.Cooley, Ja Ruane, A. Ronayne, C. Ryan, D. O Brien, S. Ruane, E. Slattery
Subs Used: E Roe, S. Gilbert, M. Byrne, P. Breakell, S. Walsh