Overnight rain from Saturday night into Sunday morning had the pitches in Carrowholly rain soaked and simply unplayable for the under 13 match with Galway Bay scheduled for noon Sunday. Consultation with Galway Bay and agreement would mean that the match would be transferred to Laurel Park in Galway city where a drier pitch would facilitate the game to go ahead.

At short notice effort was made by all parents and coaches to get the boys to Galway by carpooling.  Well done to all, as all the boys made it. For Martin and I, it is quickest for us to go to Leenane onto Maume, then Maume across to Oughterard and onto Galway city.  Laurel Park is conveniently on that side of the city also.

Always a pleasure to go by Doolough to witness those streams of whitewater cascading down the mountainside.  The journey through Joyce country onto Galway is always a scenic run, winding roads but then I know every turn and bend of those roads.

We arrived in Laurel Park in good time and were shortly joined by Tommy, coaches, the boys and their parents who travelled to the game.  It was great to see all the boys gathering for the match which would now be played at 2pm. Laurel Park pitch was in great shape although wet on top from the rain, the pitch was dry and solid.  A breezy crossfield wind would influence kicking for the game.

The first half started with even play by both teams. A scrum for Westport followed by a scrum for Galway Bay. There would be a lot of scrums in the match . Play continued with pressure from Galway Bay and a good team effort had them run in a try close to the corner for their first score on six minutes. The conversion didn't count as it was difficult and the strong wind didn't help the effort.  Galway Bay were up by five.

On eight minutes Westport were awarded a scrum and from that scrum, Westport got it through the hands out wide where winger Anthony McNeeela received the ball.  Anthony did what Anthony does best.  A strong run from the halfway line to cross the try line for a try in fine style.  Anthony has pace to burn and if he gets free, there is no stopping him.  He is a confident and gifted player.  Ruairi took the conversion however, the crossfield wind had a telling effect and the conversion was denied. Galway Bay 5  Westport 5.

Play continued at the halfway line on the pitch with a lineout to Galway Bay.  This was the only one of the half and Westport claimed it. The two Conors were playing well as was Barry, Hugh, Lucas, Geoffrey and Jack at scrum half.  All of the Westport boys were giving their all in a tight competitive match.  Galway Bay were attacking strongly and were awarded a scrum. Play continued with Westport being awarded a scrum and from that scrum, got it through the hands out wide again to Anthony who made another strong run to score his second try in fine style.  Ruairi stepped up and made the conversion count.

Westport 12 Galway Bay 5

Galway Bay continued to attack from the restart and were awarded a scrum.  This was followed by a scrum for Westport and from that scrum, Galway Bay retrieved the ball and with sustained pressure got over the line to score their second try on twenty four minutes. The conversion kick was difficult but their number ten was the measure of it. Half time had the teams even on the scoreboard
Westport 12 Galway Bay 12

Both teams were a match for each other. Tough tackling and no holding back by either team. Westport's scrum was solid and forceful, no backfoot.  Both teams would retain their scrums with only one line out to Galway Bay, which Westport stole.  Jack Malone at scrum half grafted hard as did Ethan Coughlan, Toby Mc Neela and David Maloney.  The front row players Noah McNulty, Naoise Griffith and Martin Frazer were solid.

For the second half, Westport brought on subs and took off some players so that all players got game time and to freshen up the team.  Westport kicked off the second half with continued even play by both teams.  A scrum for Westport and play continued. Conor Olson was leading by example playing for the team. I felt at this stage, whoever gets the next score would be in command to win the match.  As the game was very tight both teams were tackling ferociously and play was at a frantic pace. There was quite a bit of stop starting in the second half with a number of scrums awarded to both teams. Galway Bay continued to pressure Westport and got another scrum in Westport's half.  Hugh Molloy did his best to break the line and get up the field but was pressured over the touch line by at least four players from Galway Bay and they were awarded the line out.  Play continued with Westport being awarded a scrum. Galway Bay got the ball in hand and with continued strong pressure got through to score their third try of the match on thirteen minutes into the second half.  Their number 10 dispatched the conversion despite the difficult wind.  The sun had now come out to appreciate proceedings and it was all to play for in a tough tight game. Galway Bay 19 Westport 12

Even play would prevail at the halfway line on the pitch with scrums to Westport and Galway Bay.  Both teams were doing some hard tackling, gaining ground and then losing it.  Following another scrum to Westport, they got close to the Galway Bay try line following a strong drive by Barry.  The Referee gave a decision against Westport in Galway Bay's favour, to relieve them of pressure and get down field. There wasn't a whole lot of kicking in this match by either team with both preferring to go through the hands almost all the time.  Although Westport did hoof it a couple of times in the second half with good wind assist to gain territory and clear their lines. Players who came on at half time William, Caden, James, Ben, Jack O'Haire, DJ and Billy McGrath were all doing their best for the team.  Play continued with 2 scrums to Galway Bay and a scrum for Westport.  Anthony was replaced by Cillian McFadden who got in some good tackles.  Time was ticking away and it was hard to see where another score would come from.  A number of tap and go's were awarded to both teams in the second half.  Another scrum to Westport and continued even play would see out the second half.  Galway Bay would hold out for victory.  They now go on to play in the semi final of the Cup where they meet Loughrea.  Sligo will play Corinthians in the other semi final. Both will be interesting and entertaining matches with four strong teams involved.  We wish Galway Bay and indeed all four teams the best of luck in their respective semi finals.  

This was the final game for the Westport Under 13's this season and it brings their season to a close.  All the boys gave it their all and played their hearts out in a tight, tough match against a good team who refused to give in on the day. Only a score between them in the end, a try and conversion but little between the teams on the field.

Man of the match for me, goes to Anthony McNeela.  Anthony got both our tries in some style and he got in some good tackles too.  Normally Hugh has always been our main man.  He put in a very solid shift on the day.  On Saturday,Hugh competed in a boxing tournament.  He won his bout and is now Connacht Champion in his weight division. He had to lose some weight going into that fight to be under the required weight limit.  It was a bit much to play a rugby match on Sunday, the next day.  But fair play to Hugh, he stood by his team and his club.  No better man!  We wish Hugh and St Annes Boxing Club every success going forward.

Next season, all these boys will be playing under 14 rugby and will be taller and stronger come September.  They have had a brilliant season all the way through and all the boys have come on so much.  A season that was defined by wet weather which had a detrimental effect on pitches being unplayable and preventing training and games to go ahead.  Appreciation and thanks to Westport United for making their astro turf available.  It helped us to continue with training and was very welcome at the time.

The boys got to play the very best teams at Under13 and competed well against them.  A lot to value and appreciate going forward into U 14's.  Appreciation and thanks to our coaches Tommy, Andrew, ÉimhÍn, Martin, Paraic, Martin and Tom.  They volunteer and give their time freely to train the boys apart from club commitments and meetings and organising matches and so forth.  Thank you Guys.

Our best wishes to Tom, who is going to row across the Atlantic with another colleague later this year.  We wish you both a safe and memorable journey.

Our thanks to Tina who does so much behind the scenes so that everything runs smoothly. Tina is always available to get things done and organised.  Thank you Tina.

A big thank you to all the ladies who turn up at every home game with food and goodies for all the players and their parents and who run the kitchen on the day.  We are very grateful and appreciative of all that you do for the team.  

And to you, the parents, who bring the boys to training regardless of the weather.  When they come home without the scrum cap or the jacket, water bottles, and gumshields, sure that's all part of it.  Keep the head all the boys are the same , tut tut.... 🫢  

Thank you.

It must be noted that Tommy, Andrew and the coaches see to it that all the boys get gametime and no child is excluded or left out which is very very fair.
Thank you Guys!!

I will sign off and wish you all a wonderful summer.  Enjoy it. Time is flying. We will be back next September, at U14 to do it all again and maybe go one better.

Leaving Laurel Park on Sunday, I felt we all had a sense of disappointment from losing the match but more so, that our season was now over.  Sport is such and sometimes it hurts.  We will miss Monday and Wednesday evening's training sessions but the season has to end. Two days on, it's processed and we move on. 
 
We had a great season and it's all about the boys.  We are building young men here, learning to play rugby and the respect and camaraderie  that the game is appreciated for will always stand to these young men.

For me it is a privilege to work alongside the coaches at training and match days with a super bunch of boys. Absolutely great kids.

I get to write the match reports which is a privilege for me.

Till next time..
Keep it Country !!  😉
Yours sincerely 
Padraic Frazer..