✍️ J1A LEAGUE- MATCH REPORT ✍️
Tuam 12 Connemara 10
To our knowledge, Tuam have never beaten Connemara in a league tie. There have been many moral victories for Tuam, many hard luck stories and many close encounters, but never a Tuam win. That was until yesterday. And boy did they do it the hard way!
It was an early Sunday morning kick off in Garraun Park. It was cold, slightly windy, but dry. A big crowd gathered as Tuam aimed to bounce back from last week's narrow defeat to Castlebar. Connemara on the other hand had won their only J1A outing to date, Castlebar again the opponents.
One felt Tuam needed to start well to have any chance and an early Carl Ward penalty got them up and running. However, they were dealt an early setback with a 12th minute sinbinning. Connemara as a result were knocking on the Tuam door but the homeside's defence remained resolute. The tackles were ferocious, committed and sometimes heroic, as both teams gave it their all. Unable to breach the Tuam defence with their numerical advantage, they decided to go for the posts when they were awarded an eighteenth minute penalty. Ian Staunton converted to level the game, 3-3.
It was an absorbing game as the hits kept coming. The commitment from both sides was incredible. Tuam were back to fifteen men for merely a minute when a second yellow meant a red and Tuam down to fourteen for the remainder of the game. A huge moment. One may have thought it was only a matter of when and not if that Connemara take control and unlock the Tuam defence but the Tuam defence was incredible.
Eoin Sweeney, his first season back after being over a year out with a cruciate injury, was immense. Johannes Terblanche, his brother Wynard and Dáithí Gleeson, were all outstanding as they took what was thrown at them. And what about 39 year old Seamus Hurley and 49 year old Mika? Magnificent. All led by captain Seàn Maughan. A trojan effort by the Tuam defence.
Connemara looked like they were going to take the lead in the thirty-third minute but Staunton's penalty attempt came back off the post. Instead it was Tuam who took the lead. Carl Ward converted a penalty and despite down to fourteen men, Tuam led 6-3 at the break.
The homeside started the new half the better enjoying plenty of possession and when Carl Ward broke down the left wing, it looked like he was in for a try only for a brilliant ankle tap challenge. Moments later, Johannes Terblanche looked like he was in for a try on the right wing only for another last ditch ankle tap challenge. There was no doubt Tuam were on top now but Connemara had an opportunity to level it up with a penalty but it was missed and Tuam were full value for their lead.
An hour gone, and Tuam's incredible effort meant the moral victory was secure but they wanted the victory on the scoreboard. A Carl Ward penalty on the hour mark helped that cause. Tuam now leading 9-3.
Ian Murphy thought he had got in for a try in the corner but the whistle had gone before he had touched down and it was ruled out.
Then, Connemara got into the Tuam half and incredibly Tuam were reduced to 13 men with a sinbinning. From the resulting penalty, TJ Berry powered over and Staunton converted as the All Blacks took the lead for the first time, 10-9.
Surely that was that. A great effort by Tuam but no win. However, two minutes later, Connemara were reduced to 14 with a sinbinning. Then in the 71st minute, another huge moment in this incredible game.
Connemara were reduced to 13 men with a straight red card. 13 v 13. Tuam pointed to the posts. Up stepped Carl Ward with a brilliant kick. Tuam back in front. Could it be?
76 minutes and another yellow card. Connemara down another man. The drama wasn't finished yet as Connemara desperately went in search of a score to rescue victory from the jaws of defeat.
Yet, this was a mammoth defensive Tuam effort, Luke Cronin, also back from an injury ravaged year, Conor O'Shaugnessy, Seàn Brandon, Murphy, Ward, Alan Tierney and man of the match, Ross Fahy, all put in huge shifts. As did Joshua Giblin when he was introduced. This was a real team performance. One that deserved victory.
And a huge roar erupted around Garraun Park when Cathal Roddy blew the full-time whistle. There it was. For the first time in our 54 year history, Tuam had beaten Connemara. It was a huge win for Tuam.
Well done to both teams on a hardfought, fully committed, game of rugby.
Well done to our lads and all the management team- head coach Jimmy Maughan, team manager John Coen, Strength and conditioning coach Seamus Gannon, physio Cathy Whyte and everyone else who helped out.
A massive thank you to Tuam Stars GAA Club for the use of their facilities for this game. It was greatly appreciated by Tuam Rugby Club.
Also to Kay's Krusts Catering for providing refreshments on the day and to those that helped out with parking.
The lads next competitive outing is in the All Ireland Junior Cup when they travel to Enniskillen on Saturday, October 26th.
By Martin Nally
(14/10/24)
Tuam 12 Connemara 10
To our knowledge, Tuam have never beaten Connemara in a league tie. There have been many moral victories for Tuam, many hard luck stories and many close encounters, but never a Tuam win. That was until yesterday. And boy did they do it the hard way!
It was an early Sunday morning kick off in Garraun Park. It was cold, slightly windy, but dry. A big crowd gathered as Tuam aimed to bounce back from last week's narrow defeat to Castlebar. Connemara on the other hand had won their only J1A outing to date, Castlebar again the opponents.
One felt Tuam needed to start well to have any chance and an early Carl Ward penalty got them up and running. However, they were dealt an early setback with a 12th minute sinbinning. Connemara as a result were knocking on the Tuam door but the homeside's defence remained resolute. The tackles were ferocious, committed and sometimes heroic, as both teams gave it their all. Unable to breach the Tuam defence with their numerical advantage, they decided to go for the posts when they were awarded an eighteenth minute penalty. Ian Staunton converted to level the game, 3-3.
It was an absorbing game as the hits kept coming. The commitment from both sides was incredible. Tuam were back to fifteen men for merely a minute when a second yellow meant a red and Tuam down to fourteen for the remainder of the game. A huge moment. One may have thought it was only a matter of when and not if that Connemara take control and unlock the Tuam defence but the Tuam defence was incredible.
Eoin Sweeney, his first season back after being over a year out with a cruciate injury, was immense. Johannes Terblanche, his brother Wynard and Dáithí Gleeson, were all outstanding as they took what was thrown at them. And what about 39 year old Seamus Hurley and 49 year old Mika? Magnificent. All led by captain Seàn Maughan. A trojan effort by the Tuam defence.
Connemara looked like they were going to take the lead in the thirty-third minute but Staunton's penalty attempt came back off the post. Instead it was Tuam who took the lead. Carl Ward converted a penalty and despite down to fourteen men, Tuam led 6-3 at the break.
The homeside started the new half the better enjoying plenty of possession and when Carl Ward broke down the left wing, it looked like he was in for a try only for a brilliant ankle tap challenge. Moments later, Johannes Terblanche looked like he was in for a try on the right wing only for another last ditch ankle tap challenge. There was no doubt Tuam were on top now but Connemara had an opportunity to level it up with a penalty but it was missed and Tuam were full value for their lead.
An hour gone, and Tuam's incredible effort meant the moral victory was secure but they wanted the victory on the scoreboard. A Carl Ward penalty on the hour mark helped that cause. Tuam now leading 9-3.
Ian Murphy thought he had got in for a try in the corner but the whistle had gone before he had touched down and it was ruled out.
Then, Connemara got into the Tuam half and incredibly Tuam were reduced to 13 men with a sinbinning. From the resulting penalty, TJ Berry powered over and Staunton converted as the All Blacks took the lead for the first time, 10-9.
Surely that was that. A great effort by Tuam but no win. However, two minutes later, Connemara were reduced to 14 with a sinbinning. Then in the 71st minute, another huge moment in this incredible game.
Connemara were reduced to 13 men with a straight red card. 13 v 13. Tuam pointed to the posts. Up stepped Carl Ward with a brilliant kick. Tuam back in front. Could it be?
76 minutes and another yellow card. Connemara down another man. The drama wasn't finished yet as Connemara desperately went in search of a score to rescue victory from the jaws of defeat.
Yet, this was a mammoth defensive Tuam effort, Luke Cronin, also back from an injury ravaged year, Conor O'Shaugnessy, Seàn Brandon, Murphy, Ward, Alan Tierney and man of the match, Ross Fahy, all put in huge shifts. As did Joshua Giblin when he was introduced. This was a real team performance. One that deserved victory.
And a huge roar erupted around Garraun Park when Cathal Roddy blew the full-time whistle. There it was. For the first time in our 54 year history, Tuam had beaten Connemara. It was a huge win for Tuam.
Well done to both teams on a hardfought, fully committed, game of rugby.
Well done to our lads and all the management team- head coach Jimmy Maughan, team manager John Coen, Strength and conditioning coach Seamus Gannon, physio Cathy Whyte and everyone else who helped out.
A massive thank you to Tuam Stars GAA Club for the use of their facilities for this game. It was greatly appreciated by Tuam Rugby Club.
Also to Kay's Krusts Catering for providing refreshments on the day and to those that helped out with parking.
The lads next competitive outing is in the All Ireland Junior Cup when they travel to Enniskillen on Saturday, October 26th.
By Martin Nally
(14/10/24)
