Celebrations in Clifden can be expected to go on late into the wee hours after the Connemara All Blacks defeated Dublin University 25-21 in a gripping AIB League Division Three final at Lansdowne Road
After a cracking game of rugby in front of an huge crowd, Connemara took the laurels thanks to a 75th minute try from Alan Keogh. That score came a few minutes after David Johnson had kicked Trinity into a 21-20 lead and it was the fifth time the lead had changed hands in a hugely entertaining game.
Alan Maher had given Trinity the lead with a try after 6 minutes before Henry O’Toole’s penalty nine minutes later settled Connemara nerves. David Johnson extended that lead but O’Toole’s brother Pat, scored a try in the 37th minutes – his brother converted – but the students had the final say with a try John Quigley to give his side a 15-10 interval lead.
lively Blacks lock Kevin Keogh tied the match in the 46th minute but a Johnson penalty had Trinity back in front before O’Toole, Henry scored his side’s second try to regain the advantage (20-18). Johnson was on target with his third successful effort.
Then, with five minutes to go, Alan Keogh, brother of the aforementioned, Kevin – sons of Clifden publican Liam, weighed in with the winning try to spark a pitch invasion on the sound of the final whistle.
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