Galwegians Rugby Club celebrated another successful year of action on and off the field with it's traditional Dinner Dance and Senior Prizegiving last Saturday evening at the Radisson in Galway.

There has been plenty to cheer about for the First team at Crowley Park with a comfortable mid-table finish in AIL Division 1, progress to the quarter-finals of the AIB Cup, and their capture of the Glynn Cup in the dying minutes of the decider at Corinthians on St Patricks Day. Accompanying this have been solid performances from the Seconds, Under 20s and Ladies squads. Galwegians increasingly famed Thirds have flown their own "rugby for all" flag especially high by attracting a squad of over 40 enthusiastic players, then undertaking an international tour to Scotland and appearing in the Ard na Cregg Cup final.

Special strength this season has come from the continuity Galwegians achieved by nurturing players all the way from mini and youth rugby through to their Senior Firsts and coaching staff. Such a foundation has been the impetus for earlier golden ages, as recognised when Connacht Rugby granted lifelong Galwegian and former Ireland player Brendan Guerin a "Hall of Fame" award last month. History looks set to repeat itself with home-grown players rising in increasing regularity to Connacht and Ireland representative honours. Not least of these is Joe Moran, currently in action at the Junior World Cup in Japan.

The senior club prizegiving ceremony was unsurprisingly an upbeat affair with recognition going to players of the year John Perrott (Under 20s), Dan Ryan (Thirds), Ruth O'Reilly (Ladies), Paddy O'Malley (Seconds) and Dave Nolan (Firsts). The club's highest award for Club Person of the Year went to Honorary Secretary Breda Leader whose efforts have made a huge contribution to the vitality of Galwegians over recent years. With three sons playing at the club and husband Noel an underage coach and manager, Breda has shown that in front of good men there needs to be a great woman.

Galwegians suffered a much-publicised setback by An Bord Pleanala's refusal of permission to develop a new facility benefiting Connacht sport. However, club members have rolled up their sleeves and work is well underway to rejuvenate the Crowley Park home which has given so much to rugby in Galway. With this enthusiasm and such solid foundations, the future looks bright for Galwegians.