Loughrea RFC Rugby Roundup – 13th October
South East Galway Warriors Win Shield Final!
Loughrea fielded teams in almost all Youth age divisions this weekend, although the senior teams enjoyed a bye. The Senior Women’s amalgamated team – South East Galway Warriors – had their first ever final fixture in the Womens Invitational Shield, and beat Ballinrobe to win the trophy!
U18.5 Boys – Loughrea Extend Unbeaten Run with Win Over Corrib
In a dominant display on Friday evening, the Loughrea U18.5 boys secured a commanding 38-15 victory over Corrib in their third league encounter. Loughrea stormed to a 38-0 lead, showcasing a strong 50-minute performance before Corrib mounted a late comeback with three unconverted tries in the final 20 minutes.
Key performances from Luke Marjanovic, Sean Geraghty, and Aidan Headd, along with the leadership from the team’s core, were instrumental in securing the win.
With this victory, Loughrea remains undefeated at the top of the U18.5 Division 2 league table. They’ll enjoy a well-earned break before heading to Westport for their next fixture on the weekend of November 3rd.
U14 Girls – Loughrea Girls Battle Hard Against Buccaneers
On a cold but dry Saturday morning, Loughrea’s girls took on Buccaneers at Ballygasty in a hard-fought contest. Buccaneers took an early lead with three unanswered tries, but Loughrea responded when Grainne Lahart finished off a well-worked team try, with MC Ní Ghréacháin adding the conversion.
Despite Buccaneers scoring two more tries to end the half 7-29, the second half was a more competitive affair. Loughrea added tries from Bianca Musharu and Leah Headd, with Ní Ghréacháin converting again. However, Buccaneers continued their strong form, scoring three more tries to secure a 44-19 win.
Loughrea U14 Boys Dominate Tuam in Division 2 League Clash
The Loughrea U14 boys continued their dominant run in the Division 2 league with a comprehensive 49-0 victory over Tuam on a chilly morning in North Galway. In a display of well-drilled teamwork, Loughrea ran in eight tries, added two conversions, and capped it off with a penalty.
Every player contributed to the commanding performance, showcasing cohesion and clinical finishing. With this win, Loughrea remains unbeaten at the top of their pool, boasting a perfect 4-0 record.
Next up, they face another North Galway side, Dunmore, in their upcoming league fixture on Sunday, October 20th, with kick-off set for 14:00 at Ballygasty.
Loughrea U16 Girls Fight Hard in Tough Loss to Gort/Monivea
The Loughrea U16 girls made the short trip to face the combined Gort/Monivea side but were outmatched, falling 41-5 in their latest fixture. Despite the hosts running in seven tries, Loughrea showed plenty of heart and resilience throughout the game, managing to cross the line for a try of their own.
Standout performances came from Niamh Brady, Catherine Keane, and Amy Moran, who led by example and displayed grit in a challenging contest. While the result didn’t go their way, the Loughrea girls continue to grow and develop with each outing.
Loughrea U17 Boys Bounce Back with Dominant Win Over Gort
The Loughrea U17 boys, representing St. Brigid’s, St. Raphael’s, and other local schools, delivered a statement performance with a commanding 48-7 victory over Gort. After a tough outing the previous week, Loughrea responded emphatically, crossing the line for eight tries in an impressive all-around display.
Captain Heshan Bowatte led by example, scoring four tries, including a stunning solo effort from his own 22. Jack Maloney and Rian Ward were standout performers in the forwards, while Donal Nugent’s tactical kicking and all-round play added control and creativity to the team’s dominant performance.
This comprehensive win showcased Loughrea’s potential as they continue to build momentum in the season.