There was a different feel about this local league derby as it was a cold dry Tuesday evening in Dunmore. The Claremorris team being led out by a new captain Adam Gilmore had some new faces behind him.

As the game kicked off no one knew what to expect and the fresh faces were keen to lay down a marker early on. The game took a few minutes to settle down as the two teams tried to break down the other. The Dunmore lads were well up for the game and confidence was high. With the advantage of the hill the local lads drew first blood and scored with ease. The Colts moved the ball around looking for gaps with Cealainn Mullee showing good early running however Brian O’Reilly was the man to power over the line to get the Colts back in the game. Finian Brady hit the post with the conversion attempt. Not to be out done Phelim Browne was full of hard running and was next to get over but left Finian with a tough kick which he again hit the post with.

Dunmore now came back encouraged by some poor tackling on the Claremorris side and scored to level the game 10-10. With their tails up Dunmore ran at the Colts defence and scored a try from a tap penalty, they were now back in the lead at 15-10. It was a real tit for tat affair as back came Claremorris again. After some excellent inter-play between Brian O’Reilly and Ronan Commons they attacked up the right hand side of the pitch. Phelim Browne was then in the right place at the right time to finish off the excellent work from his teammates. Finian Brady added the bonus to give the Colts a 17-15 lead at half-tine.

The Colts regrouped at half time and looked to put the game beyond the hosts with some early scores. The confidence also grew and some of the new faces mainly led by the impressive Joseph McDonagh took their chance to shine. Ciaran Murphy attacked down the left and with great hands released Phelim Browne who with had some work to do before he scored under the posts. The extras were duly added.

Dunmore scored again to keep in touch, however the rest of the game was to be all about the Colts and in particular the new man in the centre Brian O’Reilly who is improving with every minute he plays. He scored the next three tries using his skill, pace and power. Others who impressed was Joseph Moran and Diarmuid Staunton who’s tackling was top notch. Also a special mention for the three newest members to the Colts rugby family Aiden and Liam Macken along with Adrian Walshe who played their first games of rugby for Claremorris and performed as if they had been playing rugby since they left the cot. It’s a break from the league this weekend with the first round of the Connacht U14 cup against Monivea scheduled to take place in Ballyahunis this Sunday.