Tuam 24 Dunmore 22

As Tuam faced local rivals Dunmore in the Cawley Cup final on Sunday last, one thing was certain, history would be made as neither team had ever won the cup before.

Unsurprisingly, a big crowd braved the cold weather conditions at Crowley Park to support their respective teams.

And it was the Dunmore faithful who had an early try to cheer. A clever kick to the corner by Gert Coetzee was chased and touched down to give Dunmore the ideal start. Dunmore were without the key duo of Martin and Ryan Cummins but doubled their lead ten minutes later. Tuam in their efforts to clear their lines saw their kick blocked down and a long ranging skipped pass by Coetzee was gratefully accepted by Conor Burns who touched down in the corner.

Having lost Dave Lally to an injury in the warm up, Tuam were dealt a further blow in the 20th minute when his replacement, Jamie Murphy was forced off with an injury. The introduction of Stephen Browne meant Tuam had already used all their backs.

Tuam got a much needed break in fortune when applying heavy pressure on the Dunmore defence, they forced them into the concession of a yellow card. Tuam wasted no time in making their numerical advantage count when birthday boy, Alan Finnerty, got a much needed score for Tuam. Carl Ward added the extras to reduce the lead to three. Incredibly Tuam lost a third player to injury as in the move for the try, Owen Halion injured his foot and was forced to go off.

Tuam sniffed a second try and looked certain to score it in the 38th minute but instead went further behind. As a sweeping Tuam move went inside the Dunmore '22, a skipped past was pounced on by Cameron Carruthers who ran virtually the length of the pitch to score an intercept try.

Yet another set back for Tuam and a real boost for Dunmore who took an 8 point lead to the break.

Tuam started the second half dominating possession and had to wait just ten minutes for their second try of the afternoon to arrive. And again it was Finnerty who powered over before Carl Ward converted to leave the bare minimum between them. Tuam continued to dominate and a driving maul on the hour mark saw them take the lead for the first time in the match as Seàn Maughan touched down and Carl did the honours to put Tuam 21-15 ahead.

It was Dunmore's turn to come out and ask questions of Tuam as they tried to wrestle their lead back. In the 64th minute it looked like they would do exactly that as heavy Dunmore pressure deep inside the Tuam '22 looked like it would yield a Dunmore try.

However Allen Lagaiaa intercepted, offloaded to Fowley who raced up the field, his kick was chased by Seàn O'Sullivan and the ball was eventually recycled and fed out to Carl Ward who kicked over a super drop goal. A big moment in the game.

A late Jamie Geraghty converted try did make for a nervous finish but Tuam held strong and ran out two point winners!

It sparked joyous scenes for Tuam as they toasted a maiden victory in the Cawley Cup. After a right good battle with their neighbours, it would be Tuam's name which would be inscribed onto the trophy for the first time. History was made!

In his acceptance speech, Tuam captain commended Dunmore for a tough but fair game and wished them well for the remainder of the season. He thanked the management team, supporters and all the players family for their support throughout the season.

It really was a fantastic day for the club which was well celebrated in Reapys bar. A big thank you to Owen Nally Photography who braved the cold to take brilliant pictures of the final. We wish all the lads who picked up injuries a speedy recovery.

The lads play their final game of the year on Sunday next against Creggs. Kick off on Sunday in Creggs is at 2:30pm.