Connemara 3

Dunmore 6

By Mike Rafferty in Clifden

Dunmore produced the performance of their lives on Sunday as they shocked the Connacht Junior Cup holders in the Monastery Field, gaining revenge for defeat in last year’s decider and giving themselves the opportunity to go one better and lift the Connacht Junior Cup trophy for the first time.

The home side went into the game as favourites, but it quickly became very clear that Dunmore were the dominant outfit, and while the sides might have traded on parity from set plays in the early exchanges, the longer the game went on, it was the visitors who looked to be the stronger side.

It was fitting that the pack should have secured a scrum penalty to set up the winning kick converted by Conor Burns right on 80 minutes as they were the real heroes of the day. For the duration, they fronted up to a home side who have helped set the standard in Junior rugby in recent times and on this occasion, it was clear that the pupils are learning.

There was only one team in it in the opening half as Dunmore dominated possession and territory. However, slow ball and static players getting possession hindered their progress, with the outcome that they made little early progress in attack.

A penalty awarded for a high challenge gave them a kicking opportunity on 14 minutes, but Conor Burns effort from 45 metres came back off the crossbar. Moments later they did make a breakthrough when Burns found the range to put them 3-0 ahead from another penalty.

Little was seen of Connemara in the other half of the pitch, as all brief forays were quickly repelled, with the visitors continuing to put the pressure on at the other end. With Austin Brummer their go-to man in the lineout and fellow South African Euan Groenwald having a huge influence at number eight, the visitors kept it tight as they tried to overpower a home side who were not yielding.

Breaks from Stephen O’Toole, Jamie Geraghty, and Martin Cummins were all thwarted, as the home front five of Michael Ryan, Barry Gibbons, David O’Reilly, Oran O’Neill, and Niall Staunton were certainly challenged. The interval advantage was certainly merited, but it did not reflect a true picture of events.

The second-half was a different contest. Connemara, who were missing the injured Ian Staunton and Shane Sweeney and only got limited time from Dave McDonagh, offered a greater challenge. They had an early opportunity to level matters but Henry O’Toole pulled a long range penalty off target; while Burns did likewise at the other end.

The likes of Ethan Griffiths and John O’Brien began to offer a greater attacking threat as the home side offered their supporters some reason to cheer. However, if Connemara defended outstandingly in the opening half, then Dunmore offered the same resistance on the resumption.

Pictured: A determined battle for possession at the breakdown in Monastery Field on Saturday in the game between Connemara and Dunmore. Photos: Stephanie Salmon/Connemara RFC.