A strong second half showing paid dividends for Terenure College at Lakelands Park on Saturday as they secured a hard-earned bonus point win over Galwegians in Ulster Bank League Division 1A.
Terenure reached the semi-final stage of last season's league, but following their 27-8 reversal away to Old Belvedere in their opener last week, they were hoping to return to winning ways against Galwegians.
With 14 wins from 18 outings last term, 'Wegians gained automatic promotion from the second tier of Irish rugby, and with Cormac Brennan and Ed O'Keeffe contributing tries, they recorded an excellent 12-11 triumph over Cork Constitution at Crowley Park last Saturday.
Matt Brown's men were on the back foot for much of the opening exchanges at Lakelands, but thanks to strong defensive work from the likes of Brennan and Brian Murphy, they were frustrating the 'Nure attack.
However, the hosts persisted and they broke the deadlock in fine style with 11 minutes gone. Full-back Jake Swaine made an excellent break downfield and his neat offload gave winger Harry Moore a simple finish in the corner.
Outside centre Stephen O'Neill had the place-kicking duties for this contest, and even though he was off target with the conversion, 'Nure had a positive platform to build on. Yet, Galwegians responded impressively to this early setback, and a successful 35-metre penalty by out-half Aidan Moynihan opened their account.
Indeed, after strong individual runs from Paddy Finn and Anthony Ryan brought Brown's charges into the 'Nure 22, Moynihan edged Galwegians ahead with a routine penalty from close range.
'Wegians received another boost when Terenure lock Cathal Deans was sin-binned at the end of the first quarter. The Dubliners were committing a number of unforced errors, with further indiscipline allowing Moynihan to make it 9-5 in the 26th minute.
O'Neill did have an opportunity to reduce the deficit to a minimum on the half hour mark, but his right-footed penalty effort from close range rebounded off the woodwork.
James O'Donoghue and Moore almost combined for a try five minutes before half-time, but Terenure suffered another blow when captain James O'Neill was binned. Moynihan was wide of the mark from the resulting penalty, though, and four points was the gap at the break.
The introduction of Graham Coffey offered a different dynamic to the Terenure defence on the resumption. Following a yellow card for Galwegian' Ireland underage international Sean O'Brien seven minutes in, an outstanding run from scrum half Kevin O'Neill sent rising front row star Oisin Heffernan crashing over by the posts.
O'Neill's brother Stephen made no mistake with the conversion and when he also split the posts with a 59th minute penalty, James Blaney's side suddenly had a six-point cushion (15-9).
Galwegians were now struggling to cope with their increasingly confident hosts and at the same time that O'Brien returned to the pitch, experienced centre Murphy was taking his place in the bin.
'Nure were more than willing to exploit this extended spell of numerical supremacy and thanks to eye-catching spade work by Harrison Brewer, flanker Eoin Joyce notched their third try. This looked like being the decisive score of the game, but when Galwegians responded with a converted penalty try ten minutes from the end, the tie was still in the balance.
Terenure replacement Niall Lalor received a yellow card for not releasing just before Joyce's score, but when out-half O'Donoghue intercepted a Galwegians pass to secure the bonus point try at the other end, the final outcome was effectively put beyond doubt.
Although Finn did cross over on the right wing for an unconverted Galwegians effort four minutes from time, another successful Stephen O'Neill penalty in injury-time saw Terenure finish with 11 points to spare.
Referee: Eddie Hogan O'Connell (IRFU)
This website uses cookies.
Read More