On the 26th of November Gallen CS took on Athlone CC in the final of the Connacht Junior League Cup Final in Ballyhaunis Co Mayo.The first half started off with Gallen kicking off to Athlone CC. Gallen defended brilliantly with Clive Keena stopping Athlone CC full back in his tracks with a very well timed tackle. Gallen were awarded a penalty which Sean Flynn kicked to the corner to put Gallen in a very good attacking position. The first half saw errors by both sides who were understandably nervous on the occasion. This saw penalties being conceded by both sides. Gallen eventually found their feet and the Gallen backs began to make some decisive and threatening attacking plays which put Athlone CC under pressure.Athlone came back into the game and some great tackling by Aaron o Reilly , Jamie Kelly and Lorcan Daly as well as some defensive clearances by Sean Flynn stopped Athlone CC going ahead.Athlone CC missed a penalty on the call of half time leaving it scoreless at the break.Athlone CC began the second half brightly, pinning Gallen CS in their own half but Gallen held strong with Aaron o Reilly once again to the fore in making tackles.
After a great run through the Athlone CC defence by Luke Gavin Mangan , Gallen were awarded a penalty which David Nally slotted over to give Gallen a 3-0 lead. Athlone hit back and their pressure was rewarded when their number 2 crashed over for a try converted by their number 12 , leaving the score Gallen CS 3 Athlone CC 7. Aaron O Reilly made a great run for Gallen and earned them a penalty which David Nally put over to reduce the margin to one point , Gallen 6 Athlone CC 7. Gallen then got the decisive match winning score when a great run by Sean Flynn lead to a pass to full back Nathan Poland who dived over for the try. Gallen were now in front and showed great courage and determination with Nathan Poland coming close to a score on another occasion. Gallen held on to take the league crown.
Gallen C.S Team was -Ruairi Carroll , Griffin Dunican , David Gavin , Sean Ibbotson , Aaron o Reilly, Conor Kenny , Lorcan Daly , Ethan Rowe mc Cormack , Max Feehan , Sean Flynn, Clive Keena , Jamie Kelly, Luke Gavin Mangan, David Nally and Nathan Poland. Subs – Jason Tully, Lorcan Buckley , Oliver Cusack , Javier Diaz. Manager – Mr Steven McGrath.