Galway Tribesmen triumph in All-Ireland final

Ballynahinch 34

THE Galway Tribesmen Rugby League Club made history for the second week running when they were crowned All-Ireland champions after a ferocious nail-biting final against the title holders of Northern Ireland in a balmy Carlisle Sportsgounds in Bray last Saturday.

The Tribesmen began in determined fashion against the Ballynahinch Rabbitohs. Kenny Calladine, the opposition’s player-coach, was injured in first tackle he made and had to be helped from the pitch with a shoulder injury.

Despite this loss, the Rabbitohs drew first blood as Karl Yellop burst through after four minutes to score but Hugh Van Asbeck missed the conversion. From the restart, Galway caught the Rabbitohs napping and good attacking play led to a penalty. They refused the two points on offer, running the ball and Paddy Finn crashed over the line in the seventh minute only for his try to be chalked off for a double movement.

Galway began to look fluid in attack though they spurned chances and a high tackle on Kenny James offered some relief for the Rabbitohs, who were struggling to come to terms with the loss of Calladine. The Tribesmen came back and Andrew ‘Mika’ Atonio, the club captain, made huge yards and offloaded brilliantly but James Simpson pounced and stole the ball for the Rabbitohs.

A huge hit by Galway to retrieve possession meant they were back on the ball and a fine cross chip kick by Peter O’Neill gave Josh Nugent a chance and that was all he needed to collect the ball and score in the corner in the 20th minute. O’Neill then edged the Tribesmen in front with a fantastic touchline conversion.

By midway through the first half, three players had now left the pitch due to injury, such was the intensity which the game was being played at. Great play from Jacob Spargo saw a superb steal and the ball turned over but it was soon back in Rabbitohs hands as a loose pass was pounced upon and a great run saw Chris Orr score a superb try which wasn’t converted.

On 30 minutes, McMahon blasted through from about 20m out and scored under the sticks for the Tribesmen. O’Neill then put the extra two over and there was now a try between the two sides. From the restart, a wonderful run by Conor Mackey ended when he offloaded to Ethon Maloney, who duly returned the ball to Mackey to send the Tribesmen further ahead, the first time in the game there had been more than one score between the teams. This was converted by O’Neill.

The first half finished with the Tribesmen leading 18-8 The second half started with a low kick from the Tribesmen at kick off. The Rabbitohs quickly returned it and were met with a fired-up defence. However, a great break by Nathan Gibson paved the way for Yellop to get his second of the day from close range. The resulting conversion was missed.

Full report in this week's Galway City Tribune