Bective power past Connemara
Bective will be heading north as they march on to a semi-final date away to Dromore RFC on the 14 December after this comprehensive win over Connemara RFC in the Energia All- Ireland Cup at Donnybrook last Saturday. It will be a busy pre-Christmas for the squad with the Tullow and Wicklow League matches beforehand .
Connemara after their big win over City of Derry RFC in round 1 were looking forward to the visit to Donnybrook.
In a tight 1st half Bective fell behind early to a fine Connemara try . But Bective were soon into their stride with a great try by Conor Murphy converted by Conor himself for Bective to lead 7-5 after 10 minutes . The match was scoreless for the next 15 mins with Bective missing out on some good opportunities but finally the score came after a great move for James Gallagher to set up Capt. Tiarnan McCloskey to touch down with the conversion missed 12- 5 to Bective. With Bective looking the put further daylight between the sides, Connemara staged a 2nd quarter fight back with outstanding hooker Staunton touching down near the posts and with a penalty tagged on beforehand, the westerners led 15 – 12 at half time.
Bective came out for the second half in determined mood and wasting no time were in front thanks to 2 penalty tries to lead 26 – 15 and leave Connemara chasing the game.
Further tries by Jamie Lawless and Winger Tim Molony had Bective in front by 40-15 into the last quarter.
Then Capt. Tiarnan McCloskey , appeared on the right wing off a great backs move to sprint in and score his 3rd try of the game.
While it was mostly one way traffic now with Bective dominating, Connemara never gave up, with their big men Capt. McDonagh and the Staunton brothers still showing their physicality and ball carrying, moved the ball wide and to their credit still had the resolve to score a couple of late tries.
Full Time – Bective Rangers FC 50 (7) Connemara RFC 27 (4)
Bective Rangers 1XV: 15 Tim Carroll, 14 Conor Murphy, 13 Matthew Gilsenan, 12 Bobby Holland, 11 Craig Cantwell, 10 Oliver Foote, 9 Conor Halpenny, 1 David Kealy ,2 Scott Barron, 3 Conor Kelly, 4 Tadgh O’Dwyer, 5 Jamie Lawless, 6 Donagh Lawler ,7 Tianran McCloskey, 8 James Gallagher.
Finishers: 16 Eric Giannitrappani, 17 Harry Hughes, Mattie Keane, 19 Gavin Kelly, 20 Tim Molony.
Referee: Chris Elliot, Grosvenor RFC. US RIR RFU.
