🏆2023 HIGHLIGHT 🏆

As 2023 draws to a close we take a look back at our Cawley Cup campaign which saw us win our first cup at the top level of Connacht Junior rugby.

December 3rd in Crowley Park in Galwegians after a tough battle with local rivals Dunmore, was the day we claimed the trophy but the journey began back in August, in Castlebar.

Tuam were drawn in Pool B with home ties v Creggs and Ballinrobe and an away trip to Castlebar.

🔴AUGUST 26TH ROUND 1
CASTLEBAR 0 TUAM 58

Tuam really hit the ground running in this Saturday evening kick off, putting the result beyond doubt with a rampant first half performance. The clock was only 5 mins old when Dave Lally scored and converted an early try before adding a penalty moments later. Daithi Gleeson, Ian Murphy and Alan Finnerty all got in on the scoring before Owen Halion added a brace of tries. Lally and Carl Ward added the conversions before Luke Cronin rounded off the scoring with his try to seal an emphatic Tuam win.

🔵SEPTEMBER 9TH ROUND 2
TUAM 19 BALLINROBE 7

Tuam made their first appearance of the season at Garraun Park as they entertained another Mayo outfit, Ballinrobe. Two Carl Ward penalties was all that separated the sides in a low scoring first half. Ward added two further penalties to double Tuam's lead, 12-0. However, Ballinrobe responded with the opening try of the game when their winger used his pace to run down the right wing to touch down for the visitors. The conversion put 5 between the sides. Nonetheless, Tuam sealed the win when a brilliant crossfield kick by Carl Ward was gathered by Seàn O'Sullivan who touched down in the corner. From a difficult angle, Ward converted to make it two wins from 2.

🔴SEPTEMBER 16TH, ROUND 3
TUAM 21 CREGGS 11

Both teams had sealed a semi final spot as they both came into this tie with 100 per cent records. However victory for either side would determine who would top the group and seal a home semi final tie. Remarkably this game was scoreless as the clock turned red for first half added time. A Creggs penalty was immediately responded to by a Carl Ward try which Dave Lally did well to convert from a difficult angle. Ward made it 10-3 with a 48th minute penalty but a try by Creggs put only 2 between the sides as the game approached the hour mark. The sides traded penalties to leave it 13-11 but a try by Dave Lally, brought the biggest cheer of the day. Ward added an injury time penalty to set up a home semi final against University of Galway.

🔵OCTOBER 1ST, SEMI-FINAL
TUAM 33 UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 29

Tuam would have been relatively happy with an early Carl Ward penalty. However, an intercept converted try gave the visitors the lead for the first time. Ward put the minimum between the sides with another successful penalty. University then added a penalty of their own to leave it 10-6 at the half hour mark. However, Tuam somehow managed to press the self destruct button with the concession of two further breakaway tries in the space of 60 seconds to trail 24-6 in the blink of an eye! A much needed Owen Halion converted try in added time proved crucial as Tuam trailed by 11 at the break. Ward added a 45th minute penalty before Tuam were awarded a penalty try on the hour mark as they reduced the University's lead to to a solitary point, 24-23. Things got better 6 minutes later as Stephen Browne touched down with Carl adding the conversion. Ward then added a 75th minute penalty to give Tuam a 9 point lead. A late University try couldn't deny Tuam a place in the final against Dunmore as they held out for a 33-29 victory.

🔴DECEMBER 3RD, THE FINAL
TUAM 24 DUNMORE 22

History was made in Crowley Park on a bitterly cold afternoon in Galway City as Tuam, for the first time ever, were crowned Cawley cup champions. Yet like the semi-final they did it the hard way with the concession of a 5th minute try as Cameron Carruthers touched down in the corner. Dunmore pounced with another try on the break as Conor Burns this time got over to give his side a 10-0 lead. Tuam needed a try badly as injuries were mounting and they finally got it through Alan Finnerty in the 28th minute with Ward adding the conversion. Another breakway try by Cameron Carruthers just before the break was yet another hammer blow to Tuam as Dunmore led 15-7 at the break. Tuam had to come out all guns blazing in the second half and they did just that with tries by Seàn Maughan and birthday boy Alan Finnerty turning the game around with Tuam now leading 21-15 on the hour mark. A brilliant drop goal by Ward in the 64th minute gave Tuam a bit of breathing space. A late converted Dunmore try could not deny Tuam their moment of history! It was celebrated by Tuam members past and present! The biggest cheer of the day was when club captain, Ian Murphy, held the trophy aloft! TUAM RFC, 2023 CAWLEY CUP CHAMPIONS! 🏆🏆

PICTURES CREDIT: Owen Nally Photography