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Senior edged out by determined Skerries
Michael Gallagher3 Oct 2022 - 07:48
Ballina 21-29 Skerries
Hard luck to our senior squad who went down to Skerries in Heffernan Park on Saturday afternoon. The well contested game was relentless from first whistle to last and with a little good fortune the result might have been different, but in the end the points went to the impressive visiting team.
Out-half Ronan Mulcahy kicked an early penalty for the guests, but Ballina hit back with a fine try from Connor Boyce. The conversion was good and the home boys were 7-3 clear.
The to-and-fro nature of the game continued in the following minutes when Skerries responded with a try courtesy of Oisin McKey. Mulcahy kicked the conversion and the guests were back in front.
Penalties were going against Ballina at that stage and Mulcahy made them pay with a successful kick to move the score out to 13-7.
However, Ballina were more than competitive throughout and hit back to take the lead. The try from Niall Keane was no more than the home side deserved and the home crowd were happy.
However, the Dubliners were determined to take a lead to the interval and did so when McKey got over for his second try of the day and Mulcahy added the extras.
That left Skerries 20-14 clear at the change of ends and Ballina were still well in the game. Both sides made tactical changes at that stage and the second half was tighter and less free-flowing.
Chances came and went at both ends as time ticked by, but penalties were going against Ballina in their own half and Mulcahy's boot moved Skerries to a 26-14 lead. Ballina needed to respond and did so. The next score was vital and Ballina delivered when Darragh Whyte went over the whitewash and when the conversion flew through the posts the gap was back to five and the opportunity to win the game was within reach. However, the final score of the game arrived from another Mulcahy penalty and Ballina would end the day without the bonus point which was the least their determined display deserved.
BALLINA: D Whyte, I West, C Quinn, R Molloy, C Quinn, M Morrison, N Keane; S Hopkins, B McVann, B Boland, A Ruane, M Finnerty, B O'Leary, C Boyce, C Mason
Replacements: G Kavanagh, M Walker, D Donegan, G McKenna, L Golden
Out-half Ronan Mulcahy kicked an early penalty for the guests, but Ballina hit back with a fine try from Connor Boyce. The conversion was good and the home boys were 7-3 clear.
The to-and-fro nature of the game continued in the following minutes when Skerries responded with a try courtesy of Oisin McKey. Mulcahy kicked the conversion and the guests were back in front.
Penalties were going against Ballina at that stage and Mulcahy made them pay with a successful kick to move the score out to 13-7.
However, Ballina were more than competitive throughout and hit back to take the lead. The try from Niall Keane was no more than the home side deserved and the home crowd were happy.
However, the Dubliners were determined to take a lead to the interval and did so when McKey got over for his second try of the day and Mulcahy added the extras.
That left Skerries 20-14 clear at the change of ends and Ballina were still well in the game. Both sides made tactical changes at that stage and the second half was tighter and less free-flowing.
Chances came and went at both ends as time ticked by, but penalties were going against Ballina in their own half and Mulcahy's boot moved Skerries to a 26-14 lead. Ballina needed to respond and did so. The next score was vital and Ballina delivered when Darragh Whyte went over the whitewash and when the conversion flew through the posts the gap was back to five and the opportunity to win the game was within reach. However, the final score of the game arrived from another Mulcahy penalty and Ballina would end the day without the bonus point which was the least their determined display deserved.
BALLINA: D Whyte, I West, C Quinn, R Molloy, C Quinn, M Morrison, N Keane; S Hopkins, B McVann, B Boland, A Ruane, M Finnerty, B O'Leary, C Boyce, C Mason
Replacements: G Kavanagh, M Walker, D Donegan, G McKenna, L Golden
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