West Offaly Lions News

W.O.L. 12 - Buccaneers 8

First blood was drawn in this local derby match as W.O.L. edged out Buccaneers in an enthralling game in the nuns field in Ferbane, it was an exciting win in their last league match of the season against a beefed up Buccaneers team.
      

A minutes silence was held before the game as a tribute to Darren Egan who played in our last game. Emotions were running high as W.O.L. were slow to settle and indeed Buccs went ahead with a penalty. Conor Galvin as captain calmed his troops and as they put some phases together and settled more and more into the game they got the break they deserved which led to a try from right wing Brian Gleeson, indeed it was good handling from the backline and a good side step which lead to Gleeson touching down and it was converted from the touchline by Jason Kelly.

The second half began with W.O.L. playing great rugby and controlling the game this pressure then paid off on the score board with another Gleeson try, but W.O.L. took their foot off the pedal and didn't close out the game and after a couple attempts buccs scored from a maul. This left the score at 12 to 8 to W.O.L. this remained the score at the end of the game, but through some heroic defending by the W.O.L. players right on the try line the result could have been different 

                 Amid euphoric celebrations W.O.L. were delighted with their first win against their near neighbours and president peter moony marked the occasion with a presentation to his opposite number at the after match function in Hineys

Castlebar             3

Table toppers Castlebar were the latest club to feel the force of this ever improving W.O.L. side when a rampaging 2nd half performance ensured 4 points and a move up the table.

West Offaly Lions 51
Ballina                 0 

The W.O.L. recorded their first home victory with a comprehensive victory over Ballina on Sunday. The 51 - 0 scoreline was a tribute to the hard work done by the squad since the Tuam game and the team were really out to prove a point although the score line suggest different it was not all one way traffic the W.O.L. defence were tested in the opening minutes of this match but held steady and sustained the pressure of the Ballina attack. Then with some quick hands and good play by the W.O.L. backs Eamon Kelly crossed for the games first try and they continued their pressure throughout the game a testament to tell hard work been put in by the coaches and players on the training pitch. Best for the lions were Liam Browne, Tomas Bennett, Jason Clancy and Eamon Kelly. The same discipline and determination will be needed away to Castlebar the league leaders next Sunday.

Score: 36-22

The Lions travelled to Tuam for this there latest encounter against a much fancied Tuam outfit and it wasn’t long until Tuam tasted first blood scoring an excellent try from a defensive kick by the lions fullback which failed to find touch, the immediately attacked and showed great hands and footwork and with to many missed tackles they crossed the line to chalk down there first of 5 try’s, the second of which came from a very similar kick 5 minutes later and the result was the same. It was a tough lesson for the lions and although they never gave up scoring 3 try’s of there own they were taught a valuable lesson on how important it is to make the first tackle count and to retain possession. It’s back to the training pitch for the lions and hopefully the next game will end in a more favourable result for the lions

Due to weather and pitch conditions both teams travelled to Ballinasloe for this encounter and just like the rest of the lions matches so far this was to prove no different with both sides really up for the match with big tackles going in and nothing been spared, some very effective kicking from out half Jason Kelly started to allow the lions to control the game and only for lack of clinical finishing they would have been 5 if not 7 points up inside 15 minutes. It was not long after until the dead lock was broken and the lions got in for there first try of the game. It was from then on that the lions started to show the results of the efforts been put in by the coaches and players and they dominated the first half. The second half was to prove more difficult with Sligo not willing to give up any thing, which lead to a scrappy half of rugby it saw two try’s for the lions disallowed one by Ronnie Guinan who showed great power and turn of pace in one corner and another by Niall Flaherty who showed electric pace to even get to the ball let alone touch it down in the other, but Jason Kelly slotted over three penalties to keep the Lions on top of the game and to hold out for another victory.

The Lions next outing was away to O.L.B.C. of Galway, short on numbers due to exams and injury, with only 1 sub the lions made the trip from Ferbane to Galway to take on Our Lady’s Boys Club. The team and coaches had been putting in a huge effort in training and this was to be the day when it all came together from the very outset of the game the lions attacked forcing the opposition to give away a penalty which was duly converted by out half Jason Kelly who with centre partners Padraig Flaherty and Brian Gleeson really started to probe the OLBC defensive line breaking the first tackle and off loading quickly. The Lions forwards caused a lot of damage going forward sucking in a lot of the opposition in trying to stop them this in turn allowed the backs to move and with quick ball from scrum half George Mooney the lions were able to attack. It was Jason Kelly who really stole the show with two excellent try’s, conversions and two penalties to give him the full allocation of points for the day. It was an excellent overall team display where the team can take confidence not only from the victory but with the display of grit and determination from a depleted panel.

The Lions first home game saw them take on the highly rated Monviea in Ferbane in the Nuns field. It was a changed side to the team that lined out against Westport but equally as good and determined. It was a close hard battle for the opening 10 to 15 mins with both sides a little unsettled; it was Monviea that settled best with there number 10 really controlling the game with crisp passing and accurate kicking. To the first score of the game, some fine defensive work from the lions eventually had to give and in doing so Monviea exposed a two on one out on the wing and touched down, both sides fought hard and exchanged scores at both ends but the visitors really looked dangerous when the ball was spun out to the wings and they got in the corner again for another try, unfortunately it was not to be the lions day again and they went down to an impressive Monviea side 10-22

The first ever league game for the W.O.L. took place in Westport and it was a tough baptism for the seniors who found themselves down by two tries inside the first 20 minutes but in fairness to the lions they didn’t give up and they fought back with Declan Farrell scoring the lions first ever competitive try, from then on the lions grew in confidence and started to settle and gel together the defence was tested to its full in this tough encounter and it was tit for tat throughout the game with both sides exchanging scores at each end. The lions fought hard but it was not to be Westport hung out for the victory but all in all it was an excellent debut for the lions all bit it they were on the wrong side of the score line but looking at this first display there is plenty of foundations to build on.