Loughrea U18.5 Boys Claim Confident Home Win Under Lights
The Loughrea U18.5 boys continued their league campaign in fine style on Friday night, securing a well-earned 22–13 victory over local rivals Ballinasloe under the lights at Loughrea RFC.
Loughrea made a blistering start, with Cian Fallon diving over early for the opening try. Although the conversion drifted just wide, the hosts had set the tone at 5–0. The home side soon doubled their advantage when powerful number 8 Aidan Head crashed over, and Donal Nugent added the extras to make it 12–0.
Ballinasloe hit back with a well-worked move down the left wing, narrowing the gap to 12–7, but Loughrea responded swiftly. A sharp outside break from Tom Malone created space for Nugent to finish, and he converted his own try to restore a healthy lead at 19–7. Nugent then added a penalty before halftime to send Loughrea in 22–7 ahead.
The visitors came out fighting after the break, applying sustained pressure that earned them two long-range penalties, closing the margin to 22–13. However, Loughrea’s defence held firm in the closing stages, showing grit and composure to see out the win.
It was another strong performance from this developing side, who will look to carry their momentum into next weekend’s clash away to Westport.
U15 Boys Battle Back for Thrilling Win in Claremorris
The Loughrea U15 boys produced a superb comeback on the road this weekend, overcoming Claremorris 24–19 in a hard-fought encounter.
After falling behind in the first half, the lads dug deep and showed outstanding skill, teamwork, and determination to turn the game around. Their attacking flair shone through as they ran in four impressive tries, each one a testament to their relentless effort and growing cohesion as a team.
It was a performance full of heart and character — a great result away from home and a clear sign that this group is developing into a formidable side.
Loughrea Grind Out Gritty Win in Wet and Windy Headford
A wet and blustery evening set the scene in Headford as Loughrea travelled to face familiar rivals Corrib RFC — and, as ever, the meeting of these two sides delivered a fiercely contested battle.
The conditions made free-flowing rugby difficult, but it was Sean Cahill’s ever-reliable boot that broke the deadlock early, slotting a penalty to give the visitors a 3–0 lead. The Loughrea forwards were in fine form from the outset, with a dominant scrum led by the experienced Willie Kelly, who set the tone up front.
That early penalty proved to be the only score of a bruising first half, as both sides battled the elements and each other for territory. Corrib came out fired up after the break, putting pressure on the Loughrea back line, but a crunching tackle from Nathan Maloney at a crucial moment forced a turnover and shifted the momentum.
Loughrea capitalised late in the half, when a slick backline move was finished off superbly by Lowe Botes in the corner. Cahill calmly added the conversion to seal the victory.
At the heart of the performance was No. 8 Callum Plower, whose relentless work rate and physicality earned him a well-deserved Man of the Match award.
Final score: Loughrea 10 – Corrib 0.
A hard-fought win in tough conditions and another step forward for this determined Loughrea side.
Loughrea U16 Girls Show Spirit in Tough Battle Against Gort/Monivea
The Loughrea U16 Girls put in a spirited performance on the road, despite falling 40–7 to a strong Gort/Monivea side on their home turf.
From the opening whistle, Gort/Monivea demonstrated sharp attacking play and organised defence, taking control of the game early. However, Loughrea refused to back down, showing grit and determination throughout a physical and fast-paced contest.
Their persistence was rewarded when Maria Jakuboszczak powered over for a well-deserved try, which Maire Cait Grimes converted with confidence. Loughrea continued to press and defend bravely until the final whistle, earning praise for their work rate and team spirit.
While Gort/Monivea ultimately took the win, both teams played with great skill and sportsmanship, providing an entertaining display of rugby that showcased the growing strength of girls’ rugby in the region.
Loughrea U17 Boys Fall Just Short in Narrow Season Opener at Gort
The Loughrea U17 boys kicked off their league campaign with a short trip to local rivals Gort/Monivea, where a closely fought contest ended 17–15 in favour of the hosts.
Loughrea made a bright start, opening the scoring with a well-worked try that showcased sharp handling and early intent. However, Gort/Monivea hit back almost immediately, converting a try with a well-struck drop kick to edge in front. Both sides showed early-season nerves, but it was Gort who struck again to extend their lead to 14–5.
Refusing to fold, Loughrea’s fly-half Oisín Quinn produced a moment of brilliance midway through the half, slicing through the midfield with a clever break before touching down under pressure. He then added the conversion to bring his side right back into the contest at 14–12.
A tense closing spell saw both teams trade penalties, but it was Gort/Monivea who held on to claim the narrow 17–15 victory.
Despite the result, there were plenty of positives for Loughrea — strong phases of attack, resilient defence, and flashes of real creativity — all promising signs as they build into their league campaign.
Ballygasty, Loughrea, Co. Galway H62AP03
