Tuam Development 20 Monivea RFC 22

Tuam Development team went down fighting as Monivea were crowned Bank of Ireland Curley Shield champions on Sunday last.

Trailing by 9 with the clock in the red, Tuam scored a late converted try but it proved to be the last action of the game as Monivea held on for a 2 point win.

With the club in two men's finals on Sunday last, almost 50 players togging between our two teams. That is an incredible feat for any club and great credit is due to that alone.

With the first team having tasted success in Crowley Park in the Cawley Cup final an hour earlier, there was a huge Tuam support at Corrib RFC as many supporters made the trip from Galwegians to roar on their side.

And they had to wait only four minutes to show their vocal support as Luke Cronin ran in for an early Tuam try. The perfect start.

Monivea responded well, dominating possession but Tuam's defence remained strong. Monivea had a chance to get off the mark with a 25th minute try and although that went a begging, they did convert a penalty in the 27th minute.

Having soaked up alot of pressure, Tuam got the game's second try just before the break when Mark King used his abundance of pace to touch down in the corner and give his side a 10-3 half-time lead.

An Eoghan Kelly penalty in the 44th minute stretched his side's lead to ten.

However a double sinbinning swung the momentum in Monivea's favour and they capitalised on their numerical advantage with two tries in four minutes, converting one, to lead 15-13 in the 52nd minute.

As Tuam went in search of a score to restore their lead, they were undone by a converted breakaway try in the 68th minute. They were now trailing 22-13 with the clock ticking down.

However they stuck to their task and after multiple phases, the pack drove over for Tuam's third try of the day. Despite a tricky angle, Eoghan Kelly did well to convert.

However that proved to be the last kick of the game as Monivea were crowned Curley Shield Champions.

Well done to Monivea and also to our lads who left everything on the field as they always do. It just wasn't to be their day.

We'd like to wish Cathal Dempsey a speedy recovery after he suffered an arm injury midway through the second half.

Thanks to the huge Tuam support that travelled to headford on a cold December afternoon. It was really appreciated by the lads. We'll done to all the players and management team for a great effort. Up next is Ballina in Garraun Park on Sunday next, December 10th, with a 2:30pm kick off.