The Rugby Roundup

Staunton Stars as Loughrea Senior Squad Claim Top Spot with Victory Over Claremorris

Loughrea’s league campaign gained further momentum on Saturday evening with a commanding 31-10 win over Claremorris RFC at Ballygasty. Jack Staunton delivered a player-of-the-match performance, displaying skill and tenacity, while Willie Kelly, Mike Martin, and Nathan Maloney also contributed pivotal plays in Loughrea’s strong showing.

With this victory, Loughrea now lead the league table by a single point over Corrib, who also remain undefeated after three games. Next up, Loughrea face a rescheduled clash against the Galwegians 2nds this weekend, a fixture originally postponed due to last month’s adverse weather. The Galwegians, with only one game under their belt — a decisive 20-0 win over OLBC in October — will look to build on their early success. As both sides aim to keep their unbeaten records intact, fans can expect a highly competitive encounter this weekend.

U14 Girls

Portumna Triumphs in Entertaining Clash with Loughrea

In a thrilling Bank Holiday showdown, the Portumna girls emerged victorious over their neighbors from Loughrea with a score of 44-30. The Loughrea squad, bolstered by a few additions from Portumna, showed tremendous spirit throughout the game. Despite the final scoreline, Loughrea made Portumna earn every point, showcasing determination and grit in front of a passionate crowd. Both teams delighted fans with a dynamic performance that will fuel this budding rivalry for seasons to come.

Ballina Prevails in Midweek Lights Showdown

Under the lights on Wednesday night in Ballygasty, Ballina’s girls took on Loughrea in a fiercely contested match. Ballina struck early, breaking through the Loughrea defense with a powerful run from a tap penalty to put points on the board. Loughrea responded with intensity, but Ballina stretched their lead to 10-0 after a well-executed try in the 23rd minute. Loughrea’s persistence paid off with MC Ní Ghréacháin scoring a penalty try, narrowing the score to 10-7 in favor of Ballina. Ballina sealed the game with a late, well-worked try, securing a 17-7 victory. Loughrea’s teamwork shone, with standout performances from Emma Concannon and Lucy Clarke, whose efforts kept the game competitive until the final whistle.

Close Call for Loughrea in High-Scoring Battle with Sligo

Loughrea gave everything they had in an intense match against Sligo, narrowly falling 40-27. The game opened with a stellar defensive stand from Loughrea, keeping Sligo scoreless for the first 15 minutes. Sligo eventually broke through with a converted try, but Loughrea stayed in the fight. A thrilling run from Aoibhinn Starr put Loughrea on the board, with Eabha Mitchell quickly adding another try under the posts, narrowing the gap after another Starr conversion. Sligo’s backline continued to find success, but Loughrea remained resilient with tries from Leah Headd, Emma Concannon, and Evie Dolan. With five minutes to go, the score sat at 33-27 in Sligo’s favor before a final push extended their lead. Loughrea’s fearless display was a testament to their growth and team cohesion, with several standout individual performances.

U14 Boys

Dunmore’s Backs Prove Too Strong as Loughrea Falls in Top-of-the-Table Clash

In a highly anticipated showdown on Monday afternoon, Loughrea hosted Dunmore for a top-of-the-table clash at Ballygasty. Despite Loughrea’s spirited attack and resilient defense, Dunmore’s outside backs were unstoppable, capitalizing on broken play to run in multiple tries and secure a decisive victory.

Connor Brady provided a highlight for the home side, scoring and converting Loughrea’s lone try, but Dunmore’s pace and precision out wide saw them dominate, closing out the match with a 49-7 win. The result reshapes the standings and emphasizes Dunmore’s strength in this competitive league race.

Loughrea Edges Monivea in Thrilling Comeback Victory

**Loughrea Edges Monivea in Thrilling Comeback Victory**

After a tough loss on Monday night, the resilient Loughrea squad regrouped and traveled to Monivea, where they faced a confident home side fresh off a 42-7 victory over Buccaneers Yellow. In a hard-fought, closely contested battle, the Loughrea boys showcased exceptional grit and teamwork to secure a dramatic 26-24 comeback win.

With determination and focus, Loughrea dug deep to overcome Monivea on their home turf, displaying a fantastic collective effort that proved decisive. This thrilling victory marks a spirited bounce-back for Loughrea as they continue their season with renewed momentum.

U18.5 Boys

Loughrea Surge Past Westport in Second-Half Dominance

In a gritty encounter in Westport, Loughrea weathered an early storm, holding firm against relentless pressure in the first 10 minutes with some fierce tackling. The teams were evenly matched at 3-3 at halftime, but Loughrea returned to the pitch with renewed intensity and went on a scoring spree, notching up four converted tries in a sensational second-half performance.

With the scoreboard at 31-3 in Loughrea’s favor, Westport managed a controversial consolation try in the dying seconds, bringing the final score to 31-8. It was an all-round team effort from Loughrea, with standout performances from Jack Quinn and Jack Colohan. Cathal Spellman and Aidan Headd were forces in the pack, while Liam Murray impressed on his return from injury, seamlessly blending into the backline.

Loughrea’s backs and forwards ran superb lines, breaking through Westport’s defense in wave after wave to claim a thoroughly deserved victory in a powerful team display.