Galway Advertiser 2000/2000_02_17/GA_17022000_E1_099.pdf 

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Another win, another Cup steel lacking in bonus point for Wegians United's league campaign
Galwegians 28 Portadown 14 Galway United 2 Drogheda United 2
Last Sunday Galway United and Drogheda produced a second half of thrills and spills before having to setUe for a share of the spoils. Before the start United and Drogheda had sported the weakest home and away records respectively. United have not been impressive at Terryland, while the Boynesiders have yet to sparkle away from United Park. And on Sunday there was no great change in those statistics. However Drogheda manager Eddie May must have been encouraged by the spirit and application of his charges, while United's battles with Athlone may have taken their toll. Manager Don O'Riordan r e s h a p e d his side, w e l c o m i n g back Aubrey Dolan to midfield, slotting Billy Clery to centre back, and selecting Fergal Coleman instead of Michael Donnellan up front. The first half was not only most unin spiring, but also worrying for the home side as it was Drogheda who went closest to scoring. Three Eddie Hickey stops in the first half denied Drogheda - twice on 11 m i n u t e s when saving efforts by Roberts and Maher, and just before the break when foiling Darren O'Keeffe's strike. The visitors were also more focused and competitive after the break, and their early pressure was rewarded after just three minutes. T h e influential Greg O ' D o w d popped over a free and exCardiff City forward Dai Roberts cracked home before a stunned Terryland crowd. Suitably energised, Drogheda proceed ed to dominate, and Hickey was on hand again to make a marvellous save from Damien Maher as the visitors threatened to inflict further hurt on an embattled home outfit. Then Bajan international Eric Lavine took the opportunity to remind everyone of his worth. On 58 minutes he swung over a vicious cross which young Drogheda goalie Justin O'Neill spilled under some heavy Fergal Coleman pres sure. The ball dropped to Dara Sheridan who rewarded the home support with his first United goal. Lavine was on hand three minutes later to put United ahead with his sixth league goal. A fine Kieran Foley cross was pun ished by the irrepressible Bajan who is proving such a talismanic figure in the United jersey. Yet Drogheda did not lose the script and their endeavours brought further reward some five minutes later. A great Darren O'Keeffe header from a Greg O'Dowd corner brought the visitors on terms as United's defending at the set piece was disappointing. Both sides had opportunities in the final quarter. United forced a couple of corners that examined Drogheda's defensive cre dentials, and Michael Donnellan. a replacement for Niall Ogden, had an effort blocked by Maher. The visitors style on the counterattack was illustrated when O'Dowd travelled half the pitch before electing to shoot. However Hickey dealt well with his shot as O'Dowd was left to rue his failure to pass to the unmarked Roberts. With nine games remaining, five of them in Terryland, United were left in no doubt about the importance of translating more of that cup steel and resolve into their league campaign. It is not that the team is playing below par, but the defi ance and aggression of the Pat and Sligo games are not being replicated sufficient-

fifth win out of six, a convincing winning margin of double scores, another bonus point as a result of scoring four es, and yet one senses that this Gaiwegian team has still to give its best. At Crowley Park on Saturday, Portadown started the bet in the 50th minute. However Murphy was instrumental in with their man of the match, centre Nigel D'Arce, show the third try on 65 minutes when making the decisive break g his pace early on. And the visitors, sitting at the bottom before Willie Ruane allowed Matt Mostyn to demonstrate the division two table, were first to score with a penalty his pace and finishing ability. Elwood added the conversion. 28 minutes. When Portadown scored a try through Nigel D'Arce five The Gaiwegian halfback partnership had contrasting for minutes later, it looked as if the visitors would secure a nes. Scrumhalf James Heaslip showed the form that made bonus point with the score at 21 - 14. But the Gaiwegian m the first choice last Saturday, but regrettably for only finish was dramatic. ght minutes as he had to retire with a hamstring injury. But On 81 minutes Galwegians were awarded a penalty 10m ternational outhalf, Eric Elwood, had an inspired after out. Elwood could have taken the kick at goal, and he did on, an d in the presence of Ireland coach Warren Gatland. consider a tap in the corner, while the home crowd bayed for palwegians' first try came on 32 minutes when the for a set scrum. The master decided on a short penalty, and the ards drove from a lineout at the corner flag, and hooker result was a forward drive with Mark McConnell getting the evin Tierney got the touchdown. The home side's good touchdown. Elwood again added the conversion. nds and quick thinking dealt expertly with the resulting It was a good win for Galwegians, fashioned by fine dis op off, and captain Mervyn Murphy capitalised. He ran plays from team captain Mervyn Murphy and Eric Elwood th purpose from his own 10m line to score the second try. behind the scrum, and another hardworking and accom wo conversions from Elwood, and a Portadown penalty in plished back row of Neil Taylor, Junior Charlie, and Barry e 38th minute left the half time score 14 - 6. Gavin. One still senses there are better days ahead for Ben Matthew kicked his third penalty for the Northerners Galwegians who meet UCD away on Saturday week.

Forward might wins Buccaneers the spoils
By Linley MacKenzie

Buccaneers 25

Clontarf 3

fter three successive league defeats Buccaneers badly needed to get their campaign back on track, and on Saturday ey did so in emphatic fashion against Clontarf. ond half with the wind at their backs, and it looked like the fightback had begun when outhalf Richard Murphy slotted the second of his two penalty chances on 48 minutes. But that was all the Dubliners could muster as Buccaneers took total con trol, stymieing any progress Clontarf could make despite Murphy's kicking prowess. Buccaneers, with tries by Tom Stuart-Trainor and Owen Cobbe disal lowed, put the game out of reach on 62 minutes when Allnutt sent centre Eamon Molloy through with a deft inside pass. A third try on 81 minutes sealed a comfortable and deserved vic tory for Buccaneers. Buccaneers: C Kilroy; M Devine, E Molloy, M Deane, T Stuart-Trainor, S Allnutt, O Cobbe, J Maher, J McVeigh, M Cahill, Donal Rigney. C Rigney, Des Rigney, E Brennan, M Steffert. Replacements: J Screene for Cahill (46 mins). Clontarf: D O'Brien; C Bewley, O Winchester, A Reddan, D McElligott; R Murphy, S Forster; I Glynn, D Hyland, T Kearns, D Moore, C Power, A Dignam, P Ward. C Brownlie. Replacements: R Casey for Dignam (49 mins). J Ball for Power (68), R O'Reilly for Murphy (72), C Brady for Glynn (75). Referee: A Lewis (Ulster).

Essentially Buccaneers reverted to pe - using the strength of their for ards to nail this victory. The heavier ack, that had Clontarf reeling back ards on several occasions, finally ok its toll on the Dubliners who still t on the bottom of the division one ble. Despite the wind advantage in the rst half, Buccaneers really came into eir own after the break when they new they had the measure of their pponents up front. Although Buccaneers missed an arly try-scoring chance with a clear verlap out wide, outhalf Simon llnutt put them ahead with two enalties - the second resulting from ome driving play from the Buccaneers orwards, led by Donal Rigney. And hen Allnutt kicked for position, the ack was workmanlike in claiming the ne-out and driving to the line. After 4 minutes Rigney once again secured ossession from the line-out and in the urge forward wing Mike Devine aimed the touchdown, with Allnutt onverting to make it 13 - 0 at half me.

Corinthians and Ballina made it four wins for Connacht clubs at the weekend.
Corinthians moved up to fifth spot in the division three table with two games in hand over leaders Ballynahinch when they overcame Monkstown in Dublin by 24 - 16. The Galway side led from the start with a Brian Glynn drop goal after just 90 seconds. However they went behind after Monkstown's star player, outhalf Roger Chappie, converted his own try and added two penalties in the first half. A try before the break from Corinthians No 8 Cormac McGuckian kept the westerners in the game, and in the second half they made their posses sion count when centre Pat Guckian and fullback Johnny Morrison crossed for tries. George Wright notched two penalties to help Corinthians win their fourth game of the season. Meanwhile Ballina finally achieved a deserved victory in division three when they trounced Co Carlow by 41 11. It was a fine win for the Mayo out fit against a side that is sitting in sec ond spot in the league.

M i x e d fortunes for G a l w a y men's hockey
Galway Hockey Club scored eight goals in two matches in Cork at the weekend, but they came away with only one win. On Saturday they lost 4 - Galway could not rest on before Bandon reduced the 3 in a tight contest against a their laurels. Martfn White deficit again. Galway, looking ragged, strong Bandon seconds rescued them on numerous were let off when team, and on Sunday they occasions, but two slick faced Cork Harlequins 3rds, short corner moves saw Harlequins missed in front Bandon retain the lead and of an open goal, and when defeating them 5 - 3. Playing without five first go into the break 4 - 3 up - a Spellamn put the tireless team regulars, Galway got lead they would not surren Ger Dooley through for another goal, Galway's vic off to a great start with a der in the second half. In the second match a tory was ensured. goal by Frank Hogan after However the dropped four minutes. Bandon reorganised Galway side responded immediately, tore open the Harlequins points against Bandon will catching the Galway defence. Teenager Owen make promotion difficult for defence off guard before Spcllman scored a brace Galway now. Galway: M White, P Galway dug deep and before Canney again seated scored twice in the next five from a penalty. With a 3 - 0 Sheehan, F Kenny. O minutes. NUIG's Kevin lead Galway relaxed and Spcllman, V Brannelley, K White hit first before Mark Harlequins scored twice to White. W Walsh. P Canney scored from a put the pressure on the visi O'Dowd. M Canney. G penalty after Hogan was tors. However Canney Dooley. F Hogan. Sub. broke through two tackles to Paddy Tuohy. dragged down in the box. Although 3 - 2 ahead. unleash a fearsome shot

Clontarf s single scoring chance of hefirsthalf was repelled when captain raig Brown lie was held up just short f the line and in the ensuing scrum lontarf were sent reeling backwards. Yet there was some hope for the Dubliners when they went into a sec

aul Lynch, the NUIG No S, has bees selected oa friendly oa Saturday by 15- 0. NUIG now meet Monivea he Irish Universities' team to play their Scottish away in the preliminary round of the Junior Cup on Sunday at 3pm. ounterparts in Dafafin on Friday. Meanwhile NUIG 1st XV beat Balbnggan in a