On an almost balmy January day, Ballina U15 Boys had a spring in their step after qualifying for the league semi-final thanks to a hard fought victory over a well-organised and lively Galway Bay side.

The opening exchanges were fast and furious as the bigger Galway side looked to impose themselves on proceedings. However, displaying tenacious and controlled defence, the boys in Green repelled the early pressure and took a 3-0 lead from a James Fox penalty mid way through the half.

Galway Bay responded, creating more opportunities across the Ballina '22, and scored a well worked try. Despite missing the conversion, Galway Bay took a 5-3 lead into the half time break, in what was proving a tight but absorbing affair.

The break gave Ballina time to perfect their second half plan, a plan that was put into action soon after the resumption when they took a 6-5 lead with another James Fox penalty. The action swung from end to end with some excellent defence on both sides keeping the game on a knife edge.

Then, a rampaging run by Ballina’s Conor Murphy, which started in his own half, resulted in him dotting down under the Galway Bay posts. James Fox’s conversion put Ballina into a 13-5 lead, which was added to by a well worked try from influential captain Oisin McCann.

Excellent game management from Ballina, with superb rucking and ball through the hands allied to excellent positional kicking (witness scrum half Alex Mescal’s deft and accurate kick into touch which gave Ballina excellent field position and repelled another wave of attack from the visitors) ensured that despite their gallant efforts, Galway Bay were unable to add to their first half score, with Ballina closing out 18-5 victors.

This was a complete squad effort with all the boys playing their part in a very well fought victory. As the club anthem rang out across Heffernan Park celebrating a job well done , all eyes now turn to the challenges ahead.