Galwegians' second-half surge gives win

Co Carlow 28 Galwegians 32

HT: Co. Carlow 18 Galwegians 3

Galwegians simply had to win at Carlow to stay alive in Division One and they did in remarkable fashion at Oak Park, outscoring the home side 28-10 in the second half to secure their third win of the season with a score line of 32-28.

There was little in the way of a heart beat out of the Connacht men in the first half as first Carlow number eight Shannon Brown and then right wing Mark Buckely crossed the Galwegians’ line on 18 and 34 minutes.

Out-half Ben Young added the extras to Buckley’s try and his 30-metre penalty paved the way for an 18-3 lead at the interval.

A penalty try seven minutes after the restart re-ignited the Galwegians’ charge. The fire in their bellies from coach Bernie Kelly’s half-time talk saw lock John Casserly, right wing James Littleton, with a fine solo run on the hour, and full back Brendan Bartley (72) all score to edge them in front.

Carlow, who had scored 98 points in their previous four outings, had no answer in the final minutes, and only breached the visitors’ line once after the break.

Losing the second half on a 28-10 score line, their points came from the boot of Young (1 con, 1 pen), and a second try for Buckley on 58 minutes from a sweeping move in the Galwegians’ 22, started by player-coach Dan van Zyl.

Scorers: Carlow: Tries: Shannon Brown, Mark Buckley 2; Cons: Ben Young 2; Pens: Ben Young 3

Galwegians: Tries: Pen try, John Cassidy, James Littleton, Brendan Bartley; Cons: David Delaney 3; Pens: David Delaney 2