Westport RFC 29 – Loughrea RFC 5
Having reached a Cup Quarter Final for the first time at Youth level this Westport RFC side grew stronger and full of self belief, to face Loughrea in the up Semi-Final and for the third time this season (honours even at 1 win each). Having beaten 2nd seed Corinthians in the QF, a repeat performance would surely deliver, but Loughrea had also beaten a top seed team in Galway Bay (3rd seed), so nothing was being taken for granted.
Whilst Storm Dave threw rain, hail and wind the day before, the sun broke through, before kickoff to allow the Carrowholly grass breath and deliver a near perfect pitch and sizeable support, for the battle ahead.
Westport started the better, more at ease with themselves than the visitors, attacking with obvious intent from the outset despite playing into the retreating Storm Dave wind. Two early tries from Reuben Maguire, (a quick tap and go from 8 meters) and Paul Edmundson, (a pick and dive over from 2 meters out) reassured any doubters. But the visitors were playing well too, and it wasn’t until the 27th minute that the visitors were rewarded for their efforts with a try from a 5 meter lineout. Loughrea reminded all that they were in this fight to the end and started to ply more pressure only for Jack Danagher to go over in the corner to re-establish Westport’s 2 try lead 5 minutes from the halftime whistle.
Halftime scoreline, Westport 17 (3) - Loughrea 5 (1)
The second half saw Westport less at ease, the visitors refused to give up the fight and continued to battle, but Westport always seemed to have an answer. As they had done in the quarter final, Westport shut their opposition out in the second half and finished strong with short range drives through tackles from Felix Zeray and Finn Hanley, to put the result beyond doubt, complete an excellent team performance and record their participation in the Connacht Cup Final at the Dexcom stadium, on the 19th April 2026.
At the final whistle, the scoreboard read 29–5, and the last home game the majority of this group would play in a competitive Youth scenario for Westport RFC, as come what may on the 19th April, next season would see these young gladiators play as men. They delivered a performance of true grit, determination and true teamwork to deservedly come out on top, for no one could dare to argue against their pedigree now.
Try scorers: Reuben Maguire, Paul Edmundson, Jack Danagher, Felix Zeray and Finn Hanley. Liam Cadden 2 con
Team Sheet
1. Liam Geraghty
2. Conor Moran
3. Paul Edmundson
4. Callum O’Grady
5. Alex Dunlop (on loan Castlebar RFC)
6. Felix Zeray (U17)
7. Jake Tunney Ware
8. Alan Gannon - Captain
9. Reuben Maguire
10. Finn Hanley (Vice Captain)
11. William Duggan
12. Mathew Flannelly (on loan Castlebar RFC)
13. Mathew Mullaney (U17)
14. Brendon Witzl
15. Liam Cadden (17)
16. Cormac
17. Dylan Moran
18. Jack danagher
19. Simon Ward
20. Cian Silke (U17)
21. Peter Ryan (U17)
Having reached a Cup Quarter Final for the first time at Youth level this Westport RFC side grew stronger and full of self belief, to face Loughrea in the up Semi-Final and for the third time this season (honours even at 1 win each). Having beaten 2nd seed Corinthians in the QF, a repeat performance would surely deliver, but Loughrea had also beaten a top seed team in Galway Bay (3rd seed), so nothing was being taken for granted.
Whilst Storm Dave threw rain, hail and wind the day before, the sun broke through, before kickoff to allow the Carrowholly grass breath and deliver a near perfect pitch and sizeable support, for the battle ahead.
Westport started the better, more at ease with themselves than the visitors, attacking with obvious intent from the outset despite playing into the retreating Storm Dave wind. Two early tries from Reuben Maguire, (a quick tap and go from 8 meters) and Paul Edmundson, (a pick and dive over from 2 meters out) reassured any doubters. But the visitors were playing well too, and it wasn’t until the 27th minute that the visitors were rewarded for their efforts with a try from a 5 meter lineout. Loughrea reminded all that they were in this fight to the end and started to ply more pressure only for Jack Danagher to go over in the corner to re-establish Westport’s 2 try lead 5 minutes from the halftime whistle.
Halftime scoreline, Westport 17 (3) - Loughrea 5 (1)
The second half saw Westport less at ease, the visitors refused to give up the fight and continued to battle, but Westport always seemed to have an answer. As they had done in the quarter final, Westport shut their opposition out in the second half and finished strong with short range drives through tackles from Felix Zeray and Finn Hanley, to put the result beyond doubt, complete an excellent team performance and record their participation in the Connacht Cup Final at the Dexcom stadium, on the 19th April 2026.
At the final whistle, the scoreboard read 29–5, and the last home game the majority of this group would play in a competitive Youth scenario for Westport RFC, as come what may on the 19th April, next season would see these young gladiators play as men. They delivered a performance of true grit, determination and true teamwork to deservedly come out on top, for no one could dare to argue against their pedigree now.
Try scorers: Reuben Maguire, Paul Edmundson, Jack Danagher, Felix Zeray and Finn Hanley. Liam Cadden 2 con
Team Sheet
1. Liam Geraghty
2. Conor Moran
3. Paul Edmundson
4. Callum O’Grady
5. Alex Dunlop (on loan Castlebar RFC)
6. Felix Zeray (U17)
7. Jake Tunney Ware
8. Alan Gannon - Captain
9. Reuben Maguire
10. Finn Hanley (Vice Captain)
11. William Duggan
12. Mathew Flannelly (on loan Castlebar RFC)
13. Mathew Mullaney (U17)
14. Brendon Witzl
15. Liam Cadden (17)
16. Cormac
17. Dylan Moran
18. Jack danagher
19. Simon Ward
20. Cian Silke (U17)
21. Peter Ryan (U17)
