CREGGS 9 TUAM 5
On Easter Monday, the wait for our first Connacht Junior Cup final appearance in forty eight years was finally over.
The build up to it was immense. From the moment we booked our spot in the Junior Cup final the excitement began to build. Down came the St. Patrick’s Day bunting. Up went the blue and red colours of Tuam RFC. Christor Mannion was busy up in the Square selling Tuam RFC flags, scarves bunting and hats.
Shop windows began to display Tuam RFC flags. Bunting adorned houses. The town and surrounding areas began to rally around our great club. The goodwill we received was unprecedented. Every club, business and practically person in the town got behind our club. It was incredible.
The excitement reached fever pitch. Wednesday's sport section of the Tuam Herald was dominated by coverage of the upcoming Junior cup final. On Saturday, Galway Bay FM came to town to record an 'Up for the match' Cup final special. Then Monday came. Matchday.
The cup final anticipation in Tuam was incredible. All roads led up the N17 and onto College Road. The club was inundated on social media with best wishes from local businesses and clubs all willing us to lift the cup.
Tuam supporters then thronged to Dexcom Stadium in huge numbers. The noise they made was incredible. The Clan Stand experiencing it's first taste of a junior cup final. Both clubs marked it by creating a sensational atmosphere.
Among those present on this historic occasion were members of the Creggs and Tuam team from the 1978 final. They all met in a function at Dexcom Stadium prior to the game. A lovely moment for all involved.
Then at 6pm, the 2026 edition of this eagerly anticipated final got underway. Creggs playing with the unforgiving Atlantic breeze at their backs in the first half, applied the early pressure. They were almost in for a 4th minute try but the referee adjudged the ball to be held up on the Tuam tryline.
A couple of more let offs for Tuam when Creggs knocked the ball on with the tryline beckoning. The scoring did get underway in the 20th minute when Ronan Dowd slotted over a penalty with the ball hitting the inside of the post before finally going over.
A break by Seàn O'Sullivan and and a huge carry by Johannes Terblanche were Tuam's two most purposeful attacks of note in a low scoring first half. Dowd did convert another penalty for his team as half-time approached to double Cregg's lead and in added time he had another penalty attempt but this time it went wide of the posts. Creggs leading 6-0 at the break.
Four minutes into the new half, Tuam had the opportunity to cut the deficit to three but Luke Cronin was unlucky to see his effort go wide of the posts. However, there was a massive Tuam roar on the hour mark when Eoin Sweeney stretched out his arm to score the game's opening try. Cronin was again unlucky to see his effort curl wide at the last second. The game now in the melting pot at 6-5!
Despite the strong wind, Dowd converted his third penalty of the day to stretch his side's lead to four, 9-5, with ten minutes remaining.
There was drama with two minutes to go when Tuam won a lineout 5 metres from the Creggs tryline. The Tuam crowd believed. However, Creggs captain, James Brandon, stole the lineout. With that Creggs saw out the game and alas for Tuam, it wasn't to be.
Nonetheless, what a cup journey this Tuam team have given not just us but the town itself. It created a buzz in the town that hasn't been experienced in quiet sometime.
To our players and management team, we are immensely proud of you all. Thank you for an incredible few months.
And to everyone that has gotten behind the team, who travelled to Dexcom Stadium yesterday and created an unforgettable atmosphere, a sincere thank you.
(Article published, Tuesday, April 7th, 2026)
On Easter Monday, the wait for our first Connacht Junior Cup final appearance in forty eight years was finally over.
The build up to it was immense. From the moment we booked our spot in the Junior Cup final the excitement began to build. Down came the St. Patrick’s Day bunting. Up went the blue and red colours of Tuam RFC. Christor Mannion was busy up in the Square selling Tuam RFC flags, scarves bunting and hats.
Shop windows began to display Tuam RFC flags. Bunting adorned houses. The town and surrounding areas began to rally around our great club. The goodwill we received was unprecedented. Every club, business and practically person in the town got behind our club. It was incredible.
The excitement reached fever pitch. Wednesday's sport section of the Tuam Herald was dominated by coverage of the upcoming Junior cup final. On Saturday, Galway Bay FM came to town to record an 'Up for the match' Cup final special. Then Monday came. Matchday.
The cup final anticipation in Tuam was incredible. All roads led up the N17 and onto College Road. The club was inundated on social media with best wishes from local businesses and clubs all willing us to lift the cup.
Tuam supporters then thronged to Dexcom Stadium in huge numbers. The noise they made was incredible. The Clan Stand experiencing it's first taste of a junior cup final. Both clubs marked it by creating a sensational atmosphere.
Among those present on this historic occasion were members of the Creggs and Tuam team from the 1978 final. They all met in a function at Dexcom Stadium prior to the game. A lovely moment for all involved.
Then at 6pm, the 2026 edition of this eagerly anticipated final got underway. Creggs playing with the unforgiving Atlantic breeze at their backs in the first half, applied the early pressure. They were almost in for a 4th minute try but the referee adjudged the ball to be held up on the Tuam tryline.
A couple of more let offs for Tuam when Creggs knocked the ball on with the tryline beckoning. The scoring did get underway in the 20th minute when Ronan Dowd slotted over a penalty with the ball hitting the inside of the post before finally going over.
A break by Seàn O'Sullivan and and a huge carry by Johannes Terblanche were Tuam's two most purposeful attacks of note in a low scoring first half. Dowd did convert another penalty for his team as half-time approached to double Cregg's lead and in added time he had another penalty attempt but this time it went wide of the posts. Creggs leading 6-0 at the break.
Four minutes into the new half, Tuam had the opportunity to cut the deficit to three but Luke Cronin was unlucky to see his effort go wide of the posts. However, there was a massive Tuam roar on the hour mark when Eoin Sweeney stretched out his arm to score the game's opening try. Cronin was again unlucky to see his effort curl wide at the last second. The game now in the melting pot at 6-5!
Despite the strong wind, Dowd converted his third penalty of the day to stretch his side's lead to four, 9-5, with ten minutes remaining.
There was drama with two minutes to go when Tuam won a lineout 5 metres from the Creggs tryline. The Tuam crowd believed. However, Creggs captain, James Brandon, stole the lineout. With that Creggs saw out the game and alas for Tuam, it wasn't to be.
Nonetheless, what a cup journey this Tuam team have given not just us but the town itself. It created a buzz in the town that hasn't been experienced in quiet sometime.
To our players and management team, we are immensely proud of you all. Thank you for an incredible few months.
And to everyone that has gotten behind the team, who travelled to Dexcom Stadium yesterday and created an unforgettable atmosphere, a sincere thank you.
(Article published, Tuesday, April 7th, 2026)
