Loughrea U18 Girls Claim Late Win in Hard-Fought Battle Against Corinthians
Loughrea U18 Girls produced a stirring second-half performance to claim a 17–12 victory over a strong Corinthians side in a pulsating Division 1B fixture on home soil.
Corinthians hit the ground running, showing their intent from the opening whistle. Their early dominance was rewarded with a converted try that gave them a 7–0 lead. Loughrea, however, steadied themselves and began to find rhythm through their forwards and the sharp distribution of scrum-half Amy Moran. Their persistence paid off when centre Gráinne Brady burst through the defensive line to touch down under the posts, and Moran added the extras to level the game at 7–7.
Corinthians responded before the break with another well-worked try following sustained pressure, taking a 12–7 advantage into half-time.
The second half opened at a furious pace, with both sides trading territory and testing each other’s defences. Loughrea’s Katie Griffin struck next, finishing smartly in the left-hand corner to level the scores once again at 12–12.
With the game finely poised, both teams created chances through powerful carries and quick counter-attacks, but committed defence and last-ditch tackles kept the scoreboard unchanged—until the dying minutes. From a 5-metre scrum, Addison D’Arcy, Loughrea’s standout performer on the day, spotted a gap on the blind side and darted over for what proved to be the winning try. Moran’s conversion attempt from out wide drifted just past the posts, sealing a dramatic 17–12 victory for Loughrea.
It was a contest brimming with intensity, skill, and determination—one that showcased the depth of talent in both squads and left supporters on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Loughrea U14 Girls Shine in Convincing 31–14 Win Over Ballina
Loughrea U14 Girls enjoyed a superb day out on the road as they travelled to Ballina for their latest fixture — and delivered a performance full of teamwork, determination, and skill to secure an impressive 31–14 victory.
The match was played on Ballina’s brand-new 4G Astro pitch, with both sides eager to make their mark early. Loughrea came out firing from the kick-off, launching wave after wave of attack and coming agonizingly close, held up just short of the line. Ballina managed to clear their lines and, showing their own attacking intent, ran in a try after some slick handling to take a 7–0 lead after just five minutes.
Loughrea responded immediately. From the restart, a series of strong carries, neat offloads, and great team support saw Aoibhinn Starr crash over for her first try of the day — which she then converted herself to level the scores at 7–7.
Momentum stayed with the visitors. Loughrea’s forwards continued to dominate possession, and after working their way deep into the Ballina 22, Aoibhinn spotted a gap from close range and powered over once again to make it 12–7.
Confidence was flowing through the team, and before the break, Emma finished off another sweeping Loughrea attack, dotting down under the posts. Aoibhinn added the extras to send Loughrea into half-time leading 19–7.
The second half continued at a high tempo, with both sides battling hard for territory. Loughrea’s attacking structure and support play shone through once more when Bianca drove over for the team’s fourth try of the day. Ballina showed great spirit to hit back with a superb solo try from their own 22, narrowing the gap to 24–14.
But Loughrea weren’t done yet. With Ballina pressing forward, the visitors turned defence into attack, and once again it was Aoibhinn Starr who proved unstoppable — driving over for her third try to complete a well-deserved hat-trick. She calmly slotted the conversion to bring her personal tally to 21 points and seal a memorable 31–14 victory for Loughrea.
It was a complete team performance — built on hard work, great communication, and relentless effort across the park. The coaches praised the girls for their focus and teamwork, and the players left Ballina knowing they had truly earned their win.
Final Score: Ballina 14 – Loughrea 31
Tries: Aoibhinn Starr(3), Emma Concannon, Bianca Musharu
Conversions: Aoibhinn Starr (3)
A fantastic performance — proving once again that hard work always pays off.
Loughrea u18.5 Dig Deep to Claim Impressive 28–19 Win Over Galwegians
Loughrea produced a superb all-round performance on Sunday afternoon to overcome a strong Galwegians side 28–19 in their Division 2 clash. In a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout, the home team showed real character, discipline, and attacking flair to take control in the second half and seal a well-earned victory.
Both sides started brightly, trading early blows in an evenly matched opening quarter. It was Galwegians who struck first, capitalising on a rare Loughrea mix-up in goal after a well-judged kick and chase. The visitors pounced on the loose ball to touch down and converted from 15 metres to take a 7–0 lead.
That early setback only seemed to fire Loughrea up. They hit back with purpose, piecing together several strong attacking phases. Donal Nugent broke the defensive line brilliantly and linked with Jamie Connors in support, but Galwegians’ scramble defence initially kept them out. Maintaining composure, Loughrea recycled quickly, and slick passing across the backline sent Dan Doheny diving over in the corner. The conversion drifted wide, leaving the score 5–7.
The home side continued to press, and when Galwegians conceded a penalty on their own 22, Nugent stepped up to slot it calmly between the posts — giving Loughrea their first lead of the day at 8–7. Galwegians responded through their powerful pack, with their towering No. 4 forcing his way over from close range. A confident conversion pushed the visitors back in front, 14–8, at the break.
Loughrea emerged for the second half full of energy and intent, bolstered by some fresh legs and renewed physicality. Their pressure soon told when Séan Gerraghty powered over outside the posts after sustained possession. Nugent’s conversion edged Loughrea ahead once more at 15–14.
Moments later, Nugent’s quick thinking from a penalty caught the Galwegians forwards retreating and out of position — he darted through the gap to score under the posts before adding the extras himself, extending Loughrea’s advantage to 22–14.
A yellow card for Conor Fallon briefly swung momentum back towards the visitors, and Galwegians capitalised with their loosehead lock driving over from a tap penalty to narrow the gap to 22–19. But Loughrea’s response was immediate and composed. From the restart, they pinned Galwegians deep inside their own 22 and forced another penalty, which Nugent coolly converted to make it 25–19.
With confidence growing and the clock running down, Loughrea closed out the match in style. Sustained pressure earned another penalty just inside the Galwegians half, and Nugent — who was outstanding throughout — made no mistake from 40 metres to add the final points of the afternoon.
The match ended 28–19 in favour of Loughrea, a result built on teamwork, discipline, and some standout individual performances — none more so than Nugent, whose leadership and precision with the boot proved decisive.
It was a statement win for Loughrea, who showed resilience in defence and clinical finishing in attack, setting a strong tone for the rest of their Division 2 campaign.
Loughrea 2nd XV Edge Portumna in Nail-Biting J2 League Opener
Loughrea made the short trip to Portumna for their opening J2 League clash and came away with a hard-fought 17–15 victory, showing grit, teamwork, and a perfect blend of experience and youthful energy to kick off their campaign in style.
The match began with both sides testing each other in the early exchanges, but it was the home team who struck first, crossing for an unconverted try to take a 5–0 lead. Loughrea regrouped quickly, settling into their rhythm and building pressure through a series of well-constructed phases. Their efforts were rewarded when Ronan Lahart, showing power and determination, crashed over in the corner after a sweeping team move to level the scores.
From there, Loughrea began to dominate the set pieces. The scrum and lineout were particularly strong, bolstered by the welcome return of Donal Reilly from injury, whose experience and presence made a real difference in the tight exchanges.
The visitors’ forward dominance provided a solid platform for the backs to express themselves. Kieran Kelly, one of the new faces in the squad, marked his debut in style with his first try for the club, finishing clinically out wide to put Loughrea ahead. His pace and composure under pressure hinted at great things to come.
It was a game that demanded composure, and Eoin Prendergast delivered it in spades. His outstanding all-round display — from defensive work to attacking support — earned him a well-deserved Man of the Match performance.
With the game finely poised, it came down to the boot of Eoin Hanrahan, who held his nerve to slot the crucial conversion that ultimately sealed the win for Loughrea.
Final Score: Loughrea 17 – Portumna 15
It was a spirited and balanced team effort — the perfect mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent — and a performance that sets a positive tone for the season ahead.
Tries: Ronan Lahart, Kieran Kelly
Conversions/Penalties: Eoin Hanrahan
Player of the Match: Eoin Prendergast
Ballygasty, Loughrea, Co. Galway H62AP03
