(ARTICLE APPEARED IN NOV 14TH TUAM HERALD EDITION)
CREGGS 22 TUAM 7
Creggs dethroned Tuam as the Cawley cup champions after a fierce battle in Crowley Park on Sunday. Only a point separated the sides going into the final ten minutes only for two late tries by Chris Duignan and James Brandon, which were both converted by Shane Purcell, ensured Creggs claimed the season's first piece of silverware for the fourth time in their history.
These two sides had met a week earlier when Creggs also came away with victory in their J1A league tie on a 31-20 scoreline. That proved a costly defeat for Tuam as both the Terblanche brothers, Johannes and Wynand, picked up injuries in that game so were absent on Sunday's. Creggs welcomed back out half Shane Purcell but were without key winger Eoghan Coyle.
It was Purcell who had the first influence on the scoreboard when he converted a sixth minute penalty for his side. However it was Tuam who dominated the ball and territory for the remainder of the half. Yet the majority of the play was outside the Creggs '22 as Kolo Kiripati's side dealt with everything Tuam threw at them.
Carl Ward's penalty effort midway through the first half just went wide as Tuam couldn't turn their dominance into scores. It proved a frustrating half for the reigning Cawley cup winners which was compounded by the concession of a try in first half added time. Despite having a man in the sin bin, Creggs led by eight at the break. Full back Ronan Dowd finished off a lovely through the hands move by his side when he touched down in the corner.
The second half was only five minutes old when Carl Ward was on the receiving end of a high tackle from Shane Dowd. Referee, Cathal Roddy brandished the red card to the Creggs centre. Ward was forced off injured with Luke Cronin replacing him. From the resulting penalty, the ball was spread out to Cronin who with his first touch went on a meandering run. With a lot of work to do he somehow breached the Creggs last line of defence to race in under the posts. A brilliant individual try by Cronin and finally something to show for Tuam's dominance in possession. Conor O'Shaugnessy easily converted as his side now trailed by the minimum, 8-7.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, it was Creggs who took control of proceedings and they had an immediate opportunity to increase their lead with a penalty kick but Purcell's effort was off target. Another scoreable penalty presented itself for the league holders in the 54th minute but again Purcell let Tuam off the hook.
Having already lost Carl Ward to injury, Tuam lost their second centre midway through the second half when Ross Fahy was forced off with a knee injury.
As both sides emptied the benches Creggs continued to knock on the Tuam door and they eventually unlocked it when Chris Duignan got over for a try. Almost from the sideline, Purcell brilliantly converted, much to the delight of the Creggs supporters. That meant that there was now two scores between the sides and the game was now in the seventieth minute.
Tuam went in search of a much needed score but were undone in the 77th minute when Creggs turned defence into attack, turning over possession inside their own '22 before racing down the field where captain James Brandon got over to put the result beyond doubt. Purcell converted as Creggs claimed the Cawley Cup for the first time since 2021/22 having also won it in 2018/19 and 2019/2020
CREGGS: R. Dowd, M. Dunne, S. Dowd, M. Kilcommons, C. Duignan, S. Purcell, C. Dolan, T. O'Brien, K. Kiripati, E. Cahill, R. Cahill, X. Tavai, L. Kilcoyne, J. Brandon, B. Diffley. Subs used: S. Óg Higgins, T. Farrell, A. Kelly, D. Gately, M. Purcell.
TUAM: C. O'Shaugnessy, L. O'Shaugnessy, C. Ward, R. Fahy, I. Murphy, A. Tierney, S. Brandon, S. Hurley, S. Maughan, S. Leo, D. Gleeson, A. Finnerty, E. Sweeney, R. Cunningham, O. Halion. Subs used: L. Cronin, L. McManus, C. Breathnach McGinn, M. Sadaiskus, J. Fahy.
REFEREE: Cathal Roddy
CREGGS 22 TUAM 7
Creggs dethroned Tuam as the Cawley cup champions after a fierce battle in Crowley Park on Sunday. Only a point separated the sides going into the final ten minutes only for two late tries by Chris Duignan and James Brandon, which were both converted by Shane Purcell, ensured Creggs claimed the season's first piece of silverware for the fourth time in their history.
These two sides had met a week earlier when Creggs also came away with victory in their J1A league tie on a 31-20 scoreline. That proved a costly defeat for Tuam as both the Terblanche brothers, Johannes and Wynand, picked up injuries in that game so were absent on Sunday's. Creggs welcomed back out half Shane Purcell but were without key winger Eoghan Coyle.
It was Purcell who had the first influence on the scoreboard when he converted a sixth minute penalty for his side. However it was Tuam who dominated the ball and territory for the remainder of the half. Yet the majority of the play was outside the Creggs '22 as Kolo Kiripati's side dealt with everything Tuam threw at them.
Carl Ward's penalty effort midway through the first half just went wide as Tuam couldn't turn their dominance into scores. It proved a frustrating half for the reigning Cawley cup winners which was compounded by the concession of a try in first half added time. Despite having a man in the sin bin, Creggs led by eight at the break. Full back Ronan Dowd finished off a lovely through the hands move by his side when he touched down in the corner.
The second half was only five minutes old when Carl Ward was on the receiving end of a high tackle from Shane Dowd. Referee, Cathal Roddy brandished the red card to the Creggs centre. Ward was forced off injured with Luke Cronin replacing him. From the resulting penalty, the ball was spread out to Cronin who with his first touch went on a meandering run. With a lot of work to do he somehow breached the Creggs last line of defence to race in under the posts. A brilliant individual try by Cronin and finally something to show for Tuam's dominance in possession. Conor O'Shaugnessy easily converted as his side now trailed by the minimum, 8-7.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, it was Creggs who took control of proceedings and they had an immediate opportunity to increase their lead with a penalty kick but Purcell's effort was off target. Another scoreable penalty presented itself for the league holders in the 54th minute but again Purcell let Tuam off the hook.
Having already lost Carl Ward to injury, Tuam lost their second centre midway through the second half when Ross Fahy was forced off with a knee injury.
As both sides emptied the benches Creggs continued to knock on the Tuam door and they eventually unlocked it when Chris Duignan got over for a try. Almost from the sideline, Purcell brilliantly converted, much to the delight of the Creggs supporters. That meant that there was now two scores between the sides and the game was now in the seventieth minute.
Tuam went in search of a much needed score but were undone in the 77th minute when Creggs turned defence into attack, turning over possession inside their own '22 before racing down the field where captain James Brandon got over to put the result beyond doubt. Purcell converted as Creggs claimed the Cawley Cup for the first time since 2021/22 having also won it in 2018/19 and 2019/2020
CREGGS: R. Dowd, M. Dunne, S. Dowd, M. Kilcommons, C. Duignan, S. Purcell, C. Dolan, T. O'Brien, K. Kiripati, E. Cahill, R. Cahill, X. Tavai, L. Kilcoyne, J. Brandon, B. Diffley. Subs used: S. Óg Higgins, T. Farrell, A. Kelly, D. Gately, M. Purcell.
TUAM: C. O'Shaugnessy, L. O'Shaugnessy, C. Ward, R. Fahy, I. Murphy, A. Tierney, S. Brandon, S. Hurley, S. Maughan, S. Leo, D. Gleeson, A. Finnerty, E. Sweeney, R. Cunningham, O. Halion. Subs used: L. Cronin, L. McManus, C. Breathnach McGinn, M. Sadaiskus, J. Fahy.
REFEREE: Cathal Roddy
