The management at Ballina RFC gave further opportunities for young players to exhibit their talents in this Connacht Senior League fixture at Heffernan Park on Sunday. They were delighted with the enterprise and energy of these young guns, many of whom have put their hands up for selection forthe forthcoming fixtures against Buccaneers, Corinthians, Blackrock and Greystones.
Ballina fielded the kick off and set out to attack the Galwegian opposition from deep. The handling skills and movement brought Ballina to halfway when an offside Galwegian was penalised.
Fergal Tully, back after his Electric Picnic sojourn, rose highest in the lineout to claim possession.
Mickey Murphy’s quick feed to Craig McCormick and onwards to Ronan Molloy at inside centre showed deft hands, passing to onrushing captain Chris O’Neill who broke the Galwegian defensive line. Billy McVann was at O’Neill’s shoulder to take the offload and score as Chris was tackled.
McCormick added the conversion to take an early lead of 7-0.
Galwegians responded with some good attacking plays but solid defence with Neil Molloy, Mike Finnerty and Nathan Herbert demolishing all-comer,s repelled the Galwegian offensives.
Paul O’Grady, making an impressive debut at Connacht Senior League rugby, was comfortable under the high ball and varied some fine returns, both running and kicking from deep.
Mark Walker, starting at hooker, showed a fine turn of pace breaking a number of tackles, leaving a litany of Galwegians sprawling in his wake to drive Ballina deep into the opposition half.
Unfortunately, he took a bump to his knee in the process which necessitated the attention of Ballina Physio, Gerry Maye, who had just completed an early afternoon shift with Ardnaree Gaelic Football vs Bonniconlon.
Walker was replaced by Marc Feely with McVann moving to hooker.
A penalty to Galwegians for Ballina not releasing possession after a tackle, resulted in a lineout on the Ballina line, which the Galwegians pack successfully mauled over for
Michael O’Donnell to score. The try was converted by Dylan Hamill to draw the score at 7-7.
Jason Howley combined well with Henry Hewson to drive into the Galwegian half. An ensuing lineoutwas pulled down by Galwegians. Craig McCormick slotted the kick with the assistance of the goalpost to restore the Ballina lead, 10-7.
However, this was short-lived as a loose Ballina pass was kicked through by Galwegians. The ensuing footrace saw the Galwegian winger Sandile Sibande win the race to the touchdown. Hamill added the conversion to give Galwegians a half time 10-14 lead.
A good break out of defence early in the second half by Murphy was followed by further action from Darragh Whyte who slalomed through the Galwegian defence like a downhill skier before offloading to Tully who added further ground.
Unfortunately, Tully failed to connect with McVann who was supporting on his inside with the Galwegian defence stretched. A penalty followed shortly afterwards which McCormick kicked successfully. Ballina, now just a point behind at 13 -14.
James Walsh and Luke Sweeney tackled like demons as the Galwegian effort intensified. However, the Galwegian rolling maul was proving difficult to stop and despite some heroic defensive efforts, the opposition mauled over for a converted try to extend their lead to 13-21.
Further Galwegian pressure, including a defensive scrum on the Ballina 5 metre line, saw the impressive Luke Sweeney, lift from the base of the scrum to attack the outside space creating a better platform to recycle possession and allow McCormick to use his big boot to drive the ball into touch in the Galwegian half.
An excellent exit manoeuvre by Ballina.
Michael Collins showed his value as one of the most improved young players over the last 12 months with an excellent defensive tackle on the wing to drive his opponent into touch and almost beyond.
Further breaks by Whyte, O’Neill and Ronan Molloy showed that Ballina intent on making inroads.
Hewson set the platform, Howley and Feely drove into space, Whyte set off on a 60 metre
Cannonball run only to be stopped by a high tackle. Sensibly, the penalty was kicked into the corner where the lineout was successful for Ballina.
A sequence of drives by Walker, Murphy and Molloy culminated in O’Neill crossing the whitewash to touchdown under the posts facilitating McCormick, who added the conversion. Ballina 20 Galwegians 21.
A breakaway try for Galwegians followed when a lapse in the Ballina defensive effort allowed space for the Galwegians to evade the Ballina defence out wide. The conversion was missed to put Galwegians ahead by 6 points.
Cian Quinn replaced Michael Collins on the wing as Ballina chased the game for the final score. Some good breaks led to a penalty for Ballina on half way. Unfortunately, the quick tapped penalty did not yield the required result.
Referee Shane Tuohy blew for full time before Ballina could get back into attack mode.
This was certainly further progress by the young Ballina side who have afforded opportunities to many young players over recent weeks.
Ballina Development XV play in Ballinrobe on Sunday next, September 15th .
Training continues on Wednesday and Friday @ 8pm. Confidence is building with many of these young players showing the benefits of training with the coaching team of David Newman, Con Rooney and Kieran Lindsay.