The Claremorris Colts U-15 team well and truly beat their near neighbours to set up a semi-final place in the Connacht cup, with a deserved victory over Dunmore in Ballyhaunis on Sunday morning on a score line of 34-10. The win was built on an excellent defensive play throughout the team which gave the Colts’ backs the platform to go try-crazy in the second half and avenge the two league defeats they suffered against the same opponents earlier in the season.
The game began a million miles an hour with both teams trying to lay down a marker and it was the Claremorris boys who struck first when winger Cathal Walsh took off on a solo run and, with the line in sight, a last ditch Dunmore tackle prevented a certain try. Claremorris quickly recycled possession however and worked the ball all the way across the pitch where up popped Cormac Hanley to touch down in the corner. The Claremorris celebrations were short lived though as back came Dunmore and after a period of sustained pressure crossed to level the scores at 5-5.
The Claremorris heads did not drop and the Colts managed to regain the lead before the halftime break. Danny O’Brien, who was terrific throughout the day, managed to win an opposition lineout. Claremorris spread the ball through their backs and after a number of phases of possession, they crossed for their second try of the day. It was Stephen Murphy who emerged from the bottom of a pile of bodies with the ball to claim his second Cup try of the season. Jack Vahey confidently nailed his first kick of the day to leave the Colts 12-5 to the good at half time.
The Claremorris boys obviously did not listen to their half time team talk as they conceded a try early in the second half which put the game back in the balance at 12-10. This proved to be as close as Dunmore got to their neighbours as from here on it was all about Claremorris. Firstly Jack Vahey knocked over a penalty to stretch the Claremorris lead to 15-10. Then Vahey was up to his old tricks again when, after some great play by Ross Vahey, Jack set off on his trademark scorching run to touch down under the posts. Vahey picked himself up and duly added the conversion to leave is 22-10 going into the last 10 minutes.
Liam Murphy got the try his performance deserved when, after a lineout close to the Dunmore line, Murphy could not be halted and barged his way through to touchdown leaving it 27-10. Try number five was certainly worth waiting for and surely gets the award for try of the day, as after a period of possession Claremorris’ Danny Barry executed a Ronan O’Gara style chip in behind the Dunmore defence which Cathal Walsh pounced on and crashed over to seal the win. Jack Vahey capped a fine individual display to bag the conversion and leave the scores at 34-10. Dunmore got the final score late in the game, but is proved to be a consolation score as Claremorris ran out winners 34-15.
If pushed Cathal Walsh would get the nod for man of the match, however he faced stiff competition from his captain Jack Vahey, scrum-half Stephen Murphy, out-half Danny Barry flanker Liam Murphy and the immense Danny O’Brien. To pick these six however is unfair on their teammates as all contributed in equal measure – from those who started to those who came off the bench. Next stop is the cup semi-finals and who knows what might happen!
Team: D. Merrick, JK. Vahey(C), C. Hanley, J. Lally, C. Walsh, S. Murphy, D, Barry, J. Ruane, J.Cooley, C. Ryan, D. O Brien, E. Slattery, S. Gilbert, T. Browne, L. Murphy
Subs: P. Breakell, A. Ronayne, J. Gallagher, L. Osbourne, E. Clarke, C. Lavery, R. Vahey, E. Roe, Z. Birdthistle, JA. Vahey, E. Harkin, S. Crashaw, D Mellet, D. Leonard