Many critics questioned Eric Elwood's sanity and international ambition when news came through that the prodigal son was returning home to the bosom of Galwegians. However, the rumblings of a western renaissance, given substance by Connacht's innovative progress in the European Conference, have found further fodder in Division Two of the All Ireland League.
With Buccaneers's game at home to Instonians called off on Saturday, Galwegians took the baton yesterday and ran all over UCC at The Mardyke - at least in the first half.
Elwood was at the centre of the havoc that reined in the students' defence. Three tries from Pat Duignan, Nigel Carolan and Graham Heaslip sent out a clear message: Galwegians meant business. Elwood found the range with two penalties and two conversions.
A whitewashing of monumental proportions looked imminent, but UCC mustered a backlash. Fifteen points without reply meant that only a converted try seperated the sides with 16 minutes remaining. However, the home side got thus far and no further.
Old Wesley are beginning to show the sort of resolve that was conspicuous by it's absence last season. Okay, so they have dropped down a division, but City Of Derry were dispatched with more ease than Wesley are use to on away journeys.
Wanderers are reaping the benefits of bringing in Eric Olazabal. His 16 first-half points, which included a try, contributed to a 21-0 half-time lead. This forced Malone out of their shell and back-to-back tries from Stewart Duncan, converted by scrum-half Neal Doak, stripped the Wanderers's lead to seven points. From desperation, Malone tried to run their way out of defence, only for Peter Devich to intercept for the crucial touchdown.
Greystones's thoughts of a possible jump into second place came apart at the seams at Kilternan. Tries from left wing Simon Walsh and Ken Wheelock were made all the more significant by Tommy James' conversions and three penalties. Mark Wyse did all he could to drag the Wicklowmen back into contention, including jinking his way over for their only try. But, it was all in vain.
Bective Rangers tore into Skerries at Donnybrook. How they have fallen from just being ousted from promotion into the highest division in the land last season. So many recruits have bolted and Bective have tumbled. Not so on Saturday. David Assenheim was their talisman. He weighed in with two tries and his kicking duties yielded two penalties and two conversions.
Sunday's Well needed nothing more than the functional kicking of Eddie Hogan-O'Connell to hand Monkstown a predictable defeat. Monkstown have Bective for company at the bottom of the table.
