The Claremorris Colts under 15’s continued their winning ways at the weekend, marching to the top of the Connacht Under 15 league. On Thursday evening, January 13, the U-15s took on their Ballyhaunis counterparts in Ballyhaunis, beating the home side 24-15.

Jack Vahey scored three tries on the night, while Shane Gilbert also scored a try. Daniel Merrick was also on form, landing two conversions for the Colts. Those who really shone on the night were David Mellett, Danny Barry, Jack Vahey and Shane Gilbert.

The Colts U-15s were back in action again on Sunday morning and recorded a deserved victory over Loughrea in Ballyhaunis, on a score line of 19-3. The star man for Claremorris was undoubtedly Jack Vahey who bagged all three tries for the Claremorris boys. Vahey clearly has a liking for this ground, having scored three tries over Ballyhaunis just days earlier.

On Sunday morning, the opening minutes were a tight affair with both teams struggling to get hold off the ball. It was Loughrea who got the opening score with the help of the crossbar from a long-range penalty. However that would be their only score of the game and it was the lads in red and white who dominated the remainder of the half.

The Colts got their opening score when Jack Vahey finished off a fine move. Daniel Merrick added the two points to leave the scoreline at 7-3. It looked as though this is how the half would end but Vahey had other ideas and when Claremorris were given a free kick 30 metres out, Vahey took it quickly and caught the Loughrea defence off guard to coast home for the score, leaving it 12-3 at the break.

The second half began with Loughrea determined to get back into the game and they would have done so were it not for some excellent defending by the Claremorris boys, in particular from Tomas Browne, Shane Gilbert and their captain Danny Barry. Just when it looked like the Claremorris line would be breached, they turned the ball over and Jack Vahey ran the entire length of the pitch to touch down in front of the posts. Again, Merrick added the conversion to leave it 19-3.

The Colts closed out the game with some excellent defence from all starters and those who came off the bench. Vahey was undoubtedly the star of the show and was ably assisted by his captain Danny Barry, centres Stephen Murphy and Cormac Hanley and back rowers Shane Gilbert and Tomas Browne.

Meanwhile, the Colts U-13s were in action in Castlebar on Thursday night last, January 13. The Claremorris team took on a strong home side and were defeated 31-12. There was a great effort put in by the entire panel on the night and it was brilliant to see 19 players togged for the Colts. The U-13s were also due to play against Dunmore on Sunday but the game was cancelled due to a water-logged pitch.