Thanks to Ardil Jennings who reported on the match.
Claremorris colts U17 finally bowed out of the Connacht Cup competition at semi-final stage on Sunday 27th March at a bitter cold Crowley Park, Galway. This loss brought the curtain down on a highly successful 2015/16 season for a team who, despite a small pool of players still claimed a league title and accounted for a number of big scalps along the way to cup semi-final against one of the aristocrats of Connacht Rugby.
The limited number of players finally caught up on this talented Claremorris team and they had to play the entire second half of this game with only 14 players due to a number of injuries prior to and during the game. Both the hosts and visitors played cagey rugby for the first 5 minutes with both teams testing out the opposition to find any weakness.
The first score was registered by Galwegians against the run of play. A great tackle by Barry McGing resulted in a Galwegians knock-on which gave a scrum to the Colts. The ball was moved away from the scrum quickly to Jack Roynane whose kick through was followed-up by Phelim Brown who pressurised the home team into a turnover. Despite a number of phases of play ensued until a loose Colts pass was intercepted and Galwegians ran the length of the field to score a try against the run of play. The conversion followed to leave the score line 7-0 after 7 minutes of play.
Claremorris attack from the restart and execute an excellent choke tackle and win a scrum . From the resulting scrum a late tackle on Phelim brown as he attempted to clear his lines which result in a penalty being awarded from where ball landed inside the home side 10 metre. Unfortunately the Galwegians player injured him self badly during the tackle and an Ambulance had to be called . Play was held up for 30 minutes until the player was removed to hospital with suspected broken ribs and supporters felt that the stoppage could have a bad effect on both teams due to the cold weather . From the resulting penalty Jack Roynane kicks for the corner where Joe McDonagh wins a great lineout and pack move ball forward in ruck but are held up on the line . From the resulting scrum the home side clear their lines.
The visitors lose their first player when Jason Kelly receives a blow to the head after making a great tackle . Tomas Morris replaces Jason and Claremorris are force rejig their pack to cope with the loss of such a vital player . Galwegians win a scrum against the head and kick down field into touch . Dylan Jennings gathers the line out and Claremorris put a number of good phases of play together with Tomas Morris directing the play . Brian Quinn finds touch deep inside the opposition 22 m line and Claremorris steal the drive forward ,Galwegians again defend and relieve the pressure with a good clearance which is gather by Rory Merrick who puts in a great chip kick over the home defence which is pick up by Jack Royane who scores a great try in the corner . The score is just reward for some excellent phases of play from Steve McGreal , Ciaran Murphy ,Phelim brown . A difficult conversions is missed to leave score 7-5 after 25 minutes . Galwegians suffered a sin binning to one of their players but this seem to inspire them and with the home side’s out half who was the stand out player all day , stepped up their performance and he scored a great individual try making a great line break and avoiding a number of tackles to score under posts . The visitors defences won’t be happy with the number of missed tackles . Galwegians convert the conversion to lead at half time 14-5 . Claremorris were forced to start the second half with 14 players as a head injury to Barry McGing forced his withdrawal and with the number of injuries leading up to game no subs was available. The numerical advantage were starting to show and the colts for the first 7 minutes of the restart put in a Hugh amount of work to contain the home side with Alan Thornton, Henry Kane, and Conor Jordan putting their bodies on the line . Finally the home side put a number of scores on the scoreboard to lead 38-5 after 20 minutes. Claremorris to their credit never gave up and with William Ganley, Tomas Morris and Phelim brown constantly looking for a line break the home side knew their were in a fight. Galwegians at this stage could replaced 5 players with players as good and this was the difference between the sides.
The colts eventually got their reward with after a number of line breaks the ball was fed to Jack Roynane who sold the home defences a great show and step dummy to open up their defence and he managed to score a great try under the posts which he converted to leave score 38-12 with 5 minutes let . The home side did manage to score another try to finish the scoring at 43-12.
The scoreline did not reflect the effect put in by the Claremorris colts who showed great steel and never give up attitude to bring down the curtain down on a great year.
The team and management of Kevin O’Malley and Mike Smyth were given a standing ovation from the Claremorris Colts supporters for all their effort, commitment and enjoyment given during the year .