West Offaly Lions News

Connacht Cup Semi Final Heartbreak

Westport 14 - W.O.L. 12
 
W.O.L. season came to a controversial end when they were put out of the cup in contentious circumstances, a Westport player charged down the conversion in front of the posts of Ronan (Ronnie) Guinans try. The player took a punt and the referee deemed the kicker had started his run!
The match was played in extremely bad conditions with a constant down poor for the duration of the 80 minutes but this did not take away from the efforts of both teams who served up an entertaining game.
After a great start when they were over the line twice in the first few minutes W.O.L were put under pressure by a strong bulls pack and were
somewhat lucky to concede only one score . Mistakes when they were in the opposition 22 curtailed more W.O.L. chances until Liam (butty) Browne
took a quick penalty and scorched through the Westport defence for a try which was superbly converted from the touchline by out half Jason Kelly.
7 all at half time was slightly flattering to the visitors considering they struggled to leave their own half and conceded a 7 pointer due to the Westport pressure, but in typical fashion and the lions never say die attitude they roared back with their best spell of the game ending with an unstoppable rolling maul for the rampaging Guinan try, which led to the referees controversial decision over the conversion. Although not playing their best game of the year W.O.L tried but unfortunately didn’t do enough to bring the bulls back to Ferbane for a replay but note has to be taken on how well the team has gelled developed and improved since the start of the season . Credit to all the squad and mentors in their inaugural season. A higher division beckons for this developing squad of committed players and coaches,

LIONS!!!!

Connaght Cup Quarter Final

Galwegians 7 - W.O.L. 13

W.O.L. in their inaugural cup match travelled to the renowned Galwegians club and came away with an historic result

Glenina was in a sea of mud and water as a morning deluge and earlier games left the game in doubt right up to kick off. W.O.L. settled well and adapted to the conditions better with a series of pick and drives by the forwards led by Liam Browne Anthony Quinn and Colin Malone that resulted in a Jason Kelly try which he himself converted he also added a penalty to the score sheet before wegians responded with a try of their own on the stroke of half time.

W.O.L. started the second half well and successfully absorbed any opposition pressure before Kelly slotted over another penalty.Excellent defence by all the team and in particular Stephen Cornally, Ronan Guinan and rock solid full back Matt Boland ensured their was no more scores. Both sides are to be congratulated on their efforts to play good rugby in the atrocious conditions but it was the resilient and highly motivated W.O.L. squad who advance to the semi finals.