Castlebar relegated after gallant effort against Corinthians

CONNACHT J1A LEAGUE RELEGATION FINAL

Castlebar RFC 21

Corinthians Seconds 35

In Cloondeash

IT didn't take long after the final whistle for Castlebar players to show their defiance. They had just been relegated after 80 tough minutes of rugby, but when they gathered in a huddle at the end, their front row stalwart Séan Tonra reminded his team mates that they'd rally again in July and that every body will be needed next season.

Castlebar had a big manpower turnover last year, and contested this season with a much rejuvenated squad. A tough regular season followed, with only one win out of seven matches. However, Castlebar kept their hopes of staying up alive thanks to a win over Buccaneers two weeks ago.

They have a talented and committed team, but what they lacked first and foremost this year was experience in some areas of the pitch. The young players also probably need to get game time and get used to the physicality of adult rugby.

The Mayo men showed that they were able to put it to Corinthians at times, but execution let them down too often, decision making wasn't as sharp as it was required in a relegation play-off.

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Ill-discipline cost Castlebar, when Damien Togher was sin binned for an off-the-ball incident in a most untimely moment of the game. Castlebar were down 14-35 in the middle of the second half, and they had Corinthians defending on their try line.

Referee Johnny Quinn had already awarded two penalties to Castlebar, but before they could capitalise on the second one, Togher was shown the yellow card, possibly provoked by a Corinthians player and the Galway team was able to relieve the pressure and hoof the ball down the field again.

A try in that situation would have given Castlebar a desperately needed lifeline. But the yellow card killed off their chance of staging a comeback.

That isn't to say that this incident alone is to blame for Castlebar's defeat. The damage was mostly done in the ten minutes before half-time. The team coached by Paddy Flannelly were in the game, leading 14-11 after half an hour.

Both tries were scored by Enzo Rago and converted by Séan O'Grady. But then, Corinthians hit a purple patch of extraordinary extent.

Castlebar's defensive dam burst in spectacular fashion. For ten minutes, Corinthians ran riot, scoring three tries, earning them a commanding 14-30 half-time lead.

Castlebar were clearly intent on throwing everything they had at their adversaries. But it didn't help that their fly-half Séan O'Grady had to be taken off after a shoulder injury sustained in contact during an inspirational carry.

It was impressive, how Castlebar managed to hold Corinthians scoreless in the second half, defensively they kept their composure.

It's a testament of their character and work ethic, that they kept at it to reward themselves. Finally, David O'Donnell crashed over the whitewash with the 80 minutes already up. A consolation try, that was duly converted by Stephen Rogan, nothing more.

There is no doubt, that Castlebar have a rocky road ahead of them, as their Mayo neighbours Westport RFC will be familiar with. The 'Bulls' themselves had only beaten this Corinthians team in the J1B league final a week before. It took Westport a lot of work and two years to bounce back and win promotion.