West Offaly Lions News

An outstanding performance in their last league game leaves West Offaly Lions on top of the pile which is a tremendous achievment in their first season in this division.The adult team who were promoted last year in their inaugural season will now have a play off most likely against Buccaneers to enter into the A.I.L Qualifying league. Carrick did not lie down but this WOL outfit were determined to finish the campaign with a bonus point win and all the nerves were placated when a Keenaghan special was followed by three more tries
before half time. The West Offaly Lions faithful fans were treated to 3 more tries in the second half when mistakes as well as resolute defence prevented wol from opening the floodgates. Again it is hard to pick out individuals in what was a superb collective effort but Jason Clancy and Julian Walshe brought a fresh impetous to the pack and Tom Gilligan and Brian Gleeson were prominent in an improving backline.

MINIS
The under 12s played outstanding rugby in theConnacht Blitz in tuam winning 4 of their 5 games many thanks to Donie Kenny and Connor Galvin for looking after the lads.The same day the u8s and 10s were in ballinasloe and they aquitted themselves admirably under the tutelage of Brian O Carroll Ray Carrroll and Roy Fletcher.
Many thanks to all the parents who travelled.Buccaneers bring over their whole mini section next SUNDAY .So its all hands on deck for an 11.15 start.
U14s coach Padraig Flaherty spent a few days in hospital last week but we hope to see him up and about for this weeks 12 oclock session on saturday

An inept first half performance by West offaly lions led to their first league defeat out of nine starts in the league.
The lions will now need to collect a bonus point in their last outing against Carrick on Sunday.But they havent done this all season so the chances of scoring 4 tries are remote even with a home venue unless the lions can have an inspired performance. Discipline as usual was the lions greatest opponent and unless players grow up and do what their asked then the hopes of promotion will be thrown away. NUIG had a very basic game plan, kick the ball behind the lions defence and wait for a mistake. Eventually it came with an intercept try and a mix up in defence just before half time and then a soft score after the break. Cue W.O.L. response as they realised too late that if you kick the ball against the wind its going to be returned with interest and they kept the ball in hand and scored a try, touched down by Anthony Quinn but unfortunatly it was not converted, the lions continued to storm the nuig line gaining penalties in front of the posts until a knock on brought the final whistle. It was a valuable lesson for the lions, but hopefully come next Saturday the lions will be victorious along with a bonus point.

Monivea did the double against a weakened development team despite a Myers try and Flaherty penalty the lions had countless opportunities to win the game but lack of training together left them wanting. It was a much improved performance on there last outing but performing isn't enough all to often the development team have performed well but its the result that really matters and this can only really be addressed with work on the training field and with two league game's left lets hope their on the right side of the results.

U14 match tbc next saturday

Mini training next sunday at 11.30 in the school field.