The U17 team started their season with a morale boosting win against a tough Tuam side in a challenge game on Tuesday night last. As you’d expect from the first game of the season it was frantic stuff early on from both side.

Claremorris were first on the scoreboard with Stephen Murphy sneaking over in the corner after some sustained pressure by the Mayo boys. It only took 5 minutes before Claremorris had try number two in the bag after Jack Vahey ran half the pitch to touch down under the posts. He also added the conversion to leave it 12-0 to the visitors.

Clearly Tuam were in no mood for defeat and stormed back with two tries in the space of 10 minutes to level the scores at 12-12 as the game entered its final 20 minutes. It was Claremorris who finished stronger after some excellent ball carrying by the Claremorris forwards and in particular Liam Murphy, Claremorris were awarded a penalty on the Tuam line. Some quick thinking from fullback Shane Ruane saw him catch the Tuam defence unawares and touch down in the corner.

Out half Jack Vahey added a penalty late in the game to give him a personal tally of 10 points are Claremorris beat the Galway lads by 20-12. There were excellent performances from 18 players on show but special mention must go to Liam Murphy & Shane Ruane who excelled right throughout the game.

Team: S. Ruane, D Mellet, D. Barry, L. Osbourne, C. McTigue, J. Vahey, S. Murphy, J. Ruane, J.Cooley(C), A. Ronayne, D. O Brien, S. Walsh, S. Gilbert, T. Browne, L. Murphy

Subs: C. Hanley, C. Hennelly, S. Baral