West Offaly Lions News

West Offaly Lions Minis had an excellent training session at Gallen Utd astro turf pitch on sunday as the school field was frozen over.
Over 60 boys and girls enjoyed their sessions at u-12 u-11 u-10 u-9 and u-8 level plus the newly formed u-7 section under the watchful eye of Cheryl Auret.

Many thanks to all the coaches and managers and in PARTICULAR Connacht Y.D.O. Connor Galvin

Next week Ballinasloe visit the green fields of Ferbane on Sunday and all should be at the school field ready for action at 11.15

The U-14s continue their year with a game against Tullamore details to be confirmed.

West Offaly Lions Development team lost to a strong Buccs team on sunday the match being transfered to Athlone due to a frozen pitch in Ferbane. The Lions were slow to start and conceded a soft score to the Buccs backs which was followed by another after several missed tackles and though they pressed hard in the second half West Offaly Lions just couldn't get the score they deserved.

Cathal Scott and paul heavin were always to the fore
and special mention must be made of debutants Stephen Keena and Allan Clancy who performed admirably.

Next week the firsts are away to High flying Ballyhaunis and the development team are away to Galwegians.

West Offaly Lions develoment team made their first expedition to monivea on sunday and in a hard fought but sporting game just came up short against a strong home outfit. Despite giving away a 7 pointer early on the Lions came back with a fine Cuskelly try converted and then added to which put them ahead 10- 7 at the break. However the home side came back strongly with a 70 metre try and then camped in the Offaly 22. A series of 5 metre scrums for West Offaly Lions were wasted and then a missed penalty that would have given them an unlikely 13-12 win before the referee finally blew for full time. A good effort by West Offaly Lions as this monivea outfit had beaten the first team in Ferbane last year and  a continued good turnout at training will bring better results.

West Offaly Lions: S Cornally, J Egan, T Butler, P Flaherty, J Cuskelly, G Moony, C Coughlan, P Malone, J Walshe, D Gleeson, A Coughlan, C Scott, W Farrell[capt]
S Henry Subs, I Rock, N Buckly, R Daly, C Malone, A Gunning, M Doolan

J1- Dunmore 10 - West Offaly Lions 16

J2- Loughrea 5 - West Offaly Lions 10

A huge day in the short history of the club as both the first team and the development team scored league wins. The first team travelled to the beautifully appointed Dunmore grounds for their first ever game against the local team West Offaly Lions were first off the mark with a Corbett penalty which was followed by another straightforward kick but Dunmore came back with a try brilliantly converted from the touchline. Just before half time West Offaly Lions scored with backs and forwards combining to put Tom Gilligan in for a good try with Corbett again doing the needful. As play ebbed and flowed in the 2nd half both defences were to the fore as a penalty apiece were the only additions to the score line. West Offaly Lions were well pleased to come away from Dunmore with a win but even better news filtered through from Loughrea as John Egan's brace of tries secured their first league points against a physical home outfit with Sean Henry Adrian Coughlan and Captain Willie Farrell and Alan gunning outstanding. It was a tense last 15 minutes with the defence holding very solid and with a little more work on the training ground this team will dramatically improve.

Training continues Friday in Guinans field at 7.30