Corinthians travelled to Garryowen on Saturday for the Division 3 final against Old Wesley in the hope of adding yet some more silverware for the already much added to trophy cabinet this year! However this was not to be, as they came up against a very well organised and determined Old Wesley team. Although Corinthians applied pressure early on, some good turnovers by the Old Wesley pack kept the Galway men at bay. In the 10th minute Old Wesley winger Richie Thompson took play into opposition territory and following a quick ruck ball, scrum half Paul Campbell got through to score under the posts which was then converted by out half David Smith leaving the score at 7 – 0. This was swiftly followed with another try by Old Wesley when winger Alan Thompson got through on the outside to score with the conversion missed. Corinthians came back on the quarter hour with a block down by Corinthians captain Pat Cunningham with the ball going to Cian Begley who got over for the unconverted try leaving the score at 12 – 5. Corinthians had some solid set pieces but the Old Wesley pack persisted in making vital turnovers in loose play which gave them the chance to counter attack. On 31 minutes Corinthians were penalised for playing the ball on the ground and David Smith stretched the lead to 15-5. Corinthians had an opportunity to add another try to their tally just before half time when a penalty was kicked to the Wesley 10 yard line but failed to seal the deal when the ball was intercepted under the posts by Paul Campbell leaving the score at the half way mark at 15 – 5. Just 2 minutes after the interval, Corinthians were penalised for offside allowing Campbell to put another 3 points on the Wesley scoreboard. Corinthians came back at this point and put the Old Wesley defence under some serious pressure but failed to capitalise. On 55 minutes a turnover by Wesley, saw player/coach Dan Van Zyl feeding the ball out to Barry McLaughlin who made a great break from inside his own 22 metre line and who with a kick ahead went on to touchdown for an unconverted try. With 9 minutes to go, Corinthians Aurelian Casanova scored a break away try under the post which was converted by Wayne Williams bringing the score at 23-12. At this point Corinthians threw everything into their game and put Wesley under some serious pressure. However it wasn’t to be Corinthians day when with two minutes remaining Old Wesley scored a tremendous fourth try. The ball was moved wide to Barry McLaughlin on the half way line who took off on yet another run at pace where he dodged several Corinthian tackles including a narrowly missed tap tackle by Wayne Williams just before the try line, before touching down under the posts. This was converted by Smith’s and was followed by the final whistle leaving the final score at 30 – 12. It was a disappointing end to the Galway team’s season but one that cannot take away from the fact that they had a truly excellent season, gaining promotion to division two and along the way they brought home the Connacht senior cup. They have it all to play for again next year when they compete in division two which will bring its own challenges and until then we wait in anticipation!
