THE GAIN LINE Creggs keep title hopes alive

Connacht Junior 1A

League: Castlebar 19

Creggs 24. Creggs are into the Connacht J1A League final following a closely contested game at Cloondeash last Saturday.

This was always going to be a difficult test for the visitors and so it proved.

Creggs trailed 19-7 at the break despite taking an early lead through an Eoghan Coyle try. The team dug deep in the second half, however, and a penalty try sparked what was to be an impressive comeback.

Creggs took the lead when Shane Purcell converted a Tom Fetherstone try and sealed the win when Purcell struck a penalty in the closing stages.

The final whistle was greeted with relief by the Creggs team, management and supporters who are, no doubt, well aware that only a much-improved and more clinical display will suffice to win the coveted league title.

Seconds held to draw

Connacht J1C League:

Oughterard 27 Creggs 27. Creggs Seconds were held to a draw in Oughterard last weekend but it could have been worse as two late tries from Luke Divilly and Callum Fahey helped to claw back a 17-5 half-time deficit. The hosts’ outhalf James Deacy, however, popped up with a late penalty to salvage a draw from the jaws of defeat for Oughterard.

On a day when Creggs struggled to hit top gear, a draw was probably a fair result with plenty of room for improvement for both sides who will meet again in the J1C Cup Final next month.

Youth Rugby Creggs U-13s had a busy week, hosting both Dunmore in a challenge on Tuesday last before entertaining Ballinasloe in the league on Friday evening. The challenge match ended in a 19-7 defeat while Ballinasloe won an entertaining league game 38-31.

The U-14s went down 14-7 away to Sligo in the league semi-final, which

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brought their campaign to an end. The players and management now look forward to the upcoming cup next month.

Creggs U-16s were 12-7 winners over Galway Bay in the league on Saturday morning. Tries from Cillian Hussey and Leo Anic secured the victory as the team continues its preparations for the cup.

Connacht Girls’ U-18 League semi-final replay: Sligo 14 Creggs 12. The Girls’ Maroon team came up just short in the replay in Sligo last Saturday night following a 15-15 draw two weeks ago.

The two Creggs scores came from Maryanne Jordan with one conversion from Shauna Walsh.

Schools Blitz

Creggs RFC welcomed 16 local primary schools on Tuesday last for a Tag Rugby blitz involving 3rd and 4th class pupils.

400 children took part under the watchful eyes of match officials from transition year classes in Bal-