Promotion on line for Wegians in winner take-all-tie
FIRST of all, you haven’t made a mistake – the hugely important Galwegians and Garryowen Ulster Bank League game in Crowley Park on Saturday really is kicking off ten minutes before the Connacht and Ulster clash at the Sportsground.
Saturday’s game is a straightforward winner takes all battle for the Division 1b title and the automatic promotion spot to Division 1a, but as it is the final day of the season and because Dublin University can still grab second place (which would mean a promotion play off) ahead of the side that loses in Crowley Park, all games in the Division must kick off at the same time.
That combined with the television deals dictating Connacht kick off times has led to the crazy situation that will see these two big rugby games clash on Saturday. No one in Galwegians will be too concerned at this stage, for the players and management that won’t even register and for most club members and supporters the decision to watch their club in such a big game over their province will be an easy one.
Garryowen arrive as slight favourites based on recent form. The Limerick side have the experience of big season ending games and the depth in their panel to put some real pressure on their Galway opponents at the weekend. For Matt Brown and John Muldoon, they know that the underdog tag will rest easy on their squads shoulders and they’ll just be hoping for the good weather to hold and injuries to clear.
Ironically enough, in a season where Galwegians have made it their business to avoid using contracted Connacht players as much as possible to ensure their starting lineup isn’t disrupted too heavily, it is Garryowen who will be sweating on Connacht’s team selection with their hugely important tighthead JP Cooney in line for Pro12 duty.
For Galwegians, they will want to fix some of the wrongs of the first half and use the template of the second half in the remarkable game in Belfast Harlequins two weeks ago where they came from 33-5 down at half time to almost win it, losing 36-34.
All season, the Sky Blues backline has proven to be an electric asset in tricky situation with the likes of Brian Murphy, John Cleary and Rory Parata notching up tries for fun at times, but the leadership up from of Ja Naughton and the hard work of the likes of Martin Cummins, Brian McClearn, Josh Pimm and Anthony Ryan has proven key and will be vital at the weekend.
For the other Connacht sides in All Ireland league action this weekend, Saturday’s games will be end of season dead rubbers with Corinthians the most disappointed in that regard. The Galway side travel to Limerick to face UL Bohemian aware that relegation from Division 1b is now a certainty. Buccaneers are in Ballymena safe in mid table and Sligo will complete a solid Division 2b campaign at home to top four chasing Greystones.
In the Round Robin Qualifiers on Saturday, where the champions of the four provincial league play off for a place in the All Ireland League, there is action in Clifden as Connemara host Instonians at the Monastery Field.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.