Galway Tribesmen were crowned Rugby League Ireland champions on Saturday (21st August) after beating Dublin City Exiles 30-16 in Malahide.
Despite an opening day defeat to the Metropolitians, the Westerners put in a dominant display to secure their first title in five years.
Tribesmen captain Matthew Towey chatted to
Tribesmen captain Matthew Towey says it was a reward for the team for everything they’d done once they got back out on the training field.
However, there was no luck for the Tribeswomen in their decider as they went down 44-0 to the same opposition.
But there was good news for duo Stacey Hanley and Louise Kelly who have been called up to the 25-player Irish train on squad.
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Men's Final Report - Galway Tribesmen 30-16 Dublin City Exiles
by Thomas Hynes
The Galway Tribesmen met the Dublin City Exiles in the men’s first division All Ireland final at Malahide last Saturday.
The Tribesmen kicked to the Exiles to start the game with high kick which took a wicked bounce back to the onrushing Tribes defence. Fortunately for the Exiles, the ball was knocked forward into the arms of one of their players who took the ball forward.
Matt Kennerson dictated play from acting half back and the ball was driven up the right and then was switched to left hand channel which led to a break down the left wing.
This ultimately ended with a forward pass and the ball was handed over. The Tribesmen took the ball forward with strong running with Mata Fifita and Abdulhaq Abayomi testing the Dublin defence.
The set was completed with a cross field kick which was fielded by an Exiles player who was tackled in the air, this resulted in a penalty for the Dublin team.
Big carries from player coach Wayne Kelly and Barry Treanor gained the Exiles valuable metres. Another penalty was awarded against the Tribesmen for interference at the tackle and winger Andrew Thompson slotted the ball over the crossbar to give the Exiles a two-point advantage.
The Tribesmen restarted the game and once again, the Exiles big forwards drove the ball forward. Robust defending by Galway however,thwarted any further advancement and the Tribesmen regained possession.
The Galway men started exerting pressure in the Exiles half of the field. The Dublin men were finding it difficult to contain the big Tribesmen forwards, particularly Mata Fifita and he eventually squeezed over for a try under the posts on the 20-minute mark.
Barry Walsh added the two points to give the Tribesmen a 6-2 lead. The Galway men maintained the pressure and seven minutes later another break from Fifita, this time evading several would be tacklers down the right channel, resulted in his second try, again converted by Walsh.
The Tribesmen were in control of play during this period, with halfback Ryan Guilfoyle and Barry Walsh dictating play, ably assisted by No.9 Ethan Fifita.
Another break got them within 10 metres of the Exiles line, substitute Sam Cullen dummied a couple of defenders and then popped the ball to Thomas Gormley who crashed over from short range to score his first ever try for the Tribesmen.
The Exiles continued to try and establish a foothold but resolute defending from the Galway men stopped their progress. Matt Kennerson continued to marshall his forwards to in an attempt to gain some ground.
Galway were enjoying a good period of possession and clever footwork from scrumhalf Ryan Guilfoyle allowed him to scamper across the line for another score. As the clock ran down the Exiles made a break and found themselves in the Tribesmen danger zone.
In the final moments of the half, centre Chris Williams cross to score a try. With the conversion missed the score was 22-6 to the Tribesmen and this was how the half ended.
The Exiles kicked off to start the second half and enjoyed a more comfortable period of play. The big forwards made good progress and created a solid platform.
However, an indiscretion by the Dublin men presented an opportunity for Barry Walsh to kick a penalty from 40 metres out. He duly slotted the ball over the bar and the score were 24-6.
The Exiles were not going to lie down though and they were rejuvenated when Kennerson launched a huge cross field kick which found winger Columba Kelly in plenty of space, who gathered the ball and raced over to score another four pointer.
Both teams began to tire and a few mistakes began to creep in, but both teams kept pushing to add to their respective scorelines. Young substitute John Why scored a crucial try for the Galway men for the second week running, as he danced across the line to evade the Exile tacklers.
The extra two was added by Walsh which made the scores 30-10. Then in the dying moments of the game, Matt Cherry crossed the line for the Exiles from close range. Kennerson added the two points to put the scores at 30-16.
Unfortunately for the Exiles, time had run out and this was how the game ended. The Galway Tribesmen had won the All-Irelandmen’s final for second time in their history.
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Women's Final Report - Dublin City Exiles 44-0 Galway Tribeswomen
by Thomas Hynes
The Galway Tribeswomen made history yesterday when they competed in the Inaugural Women’s Rugby League Grand final against Dublin City Exiles at Malahide Rugby Club.The game was which played in warm conditions began with the Exiles kicking off to Galway.
The Tribeswomen played through a structured set before Ella Synott kicked through on the final tackle.
The Exiles returned the ball up the field and the Galway women were caught offside which gave the Exiles another set of plays. The game was temporarily held up when the referee twisted her ankle and sought treatment.
On resumption of play the Exiles put some passes together and registered their first score on the 5-minute mark when the No.7Alex McGuinness crossed the line.
The Tribeswomen restarted the game from the centre spot and the Dublin women began to dominant possession orchestrated by half backs Syphonia Pua and Alex McGuinness.
Experienced centre Stephanie Carroll made a break down her channel and scored another try. The Tribeswomen tried to establish a foothold in the game with strong running from Louise Kelly and Stacey Hanley but the Dublin defence was too strong.
The game was held up again for a longer period after the 15-minute mark, when Ella Synott, the influential Galway standoff, went down with a serious leg break. After receiving on field treatment, she was eventually stretchered off the pitch.
When play resumed the Exiles carried on from where they left off prior to the pause in the game and Carroll registered her second try. With the scores now at 18-0 to the Exiles, the Tribeswomen had a long way back.
The Exiles continued to dominate this period of play and good hands created space for fullback Roisin Crowe to score a try. The Tribeswomen tackled tirelessly but the Exiles continued to exert pressure and registered another two scores to put them in a healthy 34-0 lead at half time.
The Exiles restarted the game for the second half and the Tribeswomen quickly brought the ball up field. The Galway ladies seemed energized by the half time team talk and led by captain Celia Killalea, they began to question the Dublin defence.
Repeat sets organized by No. 9 Amanda Forde, close to the Dublin goal line had the Exiles on the backfoot and the Tribeswomen were close to scoring on several attempts but the Dublin defence held strong.
The Exiles eventually broke away from their goal line and scored again through substitute Emma Curren. As the clock ran down the Galway ladies continued working hard for each other looking for that elusive score, but each set was resolutely defended by the Exiles. 7
The Exiles managed one more score which put their points tally at 44-0 and that was how the game ended. In what was amazing inaugural campaign for both clubs, the Tribeswomen can be proud of what they achieved this year and will back next year better and stronger.
