Check out the match report from this week’s Mayo News.

The first steps at Junior 1 rugby level have gone well for Claremorris. They joined the third division of Connacht club rugby during the summer and their first outing was against Galwegians at Crowley Park in Galway. They delivered a strong first-half display which laid the groundwork for an opening day victory.

Their task in year one will be to remain competitive and build experience, but deep down they will hope for more. And after a solid display away to Tuam in the Cup the previous week where they lost 10-0, they came into this one full of confidence and started like a steam-train.

Jack Vahey kicked well in the first half, but the winger also had a hand in the first try of the game for Shane Meehan in the corner. They led 11-6 at half time before stepping it up further in the third quarter with two tries born of some forward dominance. Number eight Liam Murphy got the first, prop Luke Ronayne got the second.

Successive sin-binnings for Diarmuid Griffith (for an offside infringement) and Mark Curley (for not rolling away) put them on the back foot, however.

The final 15 minutes belonged to Galwegians, who scored two tries to pull within five and came close to snatching a dramatic win.

Colts:  S Meehan, J Vahey, D Griffith, M Smimovas, D Bell, M Curley, R Kelly(c),  L Ronayne, R Khan, K McIntyre, J Costello, M Jennings, L Griffith, A Connolly L Murphy

Replacements: D Connor, A Maye, J Kean, J Fitzgerald, P Murphy

*Photos courtesy of Willie Murphy