Our U17s got back on the horse on Sunday with a thrilling win on the road in Tuam.
After tasting defeat in the opening league game, they needed a response and got it, under sun-splashed skies against very competitive opponents.
From the outset, both teams played high-paced, high-risk rugby and the home side struck first through a penalty to lead 3-0.
Undeterred, Ballina worked their way down the field, changing direction and moving the ball through the hands for Cian Meyerick to crash over wide on the right.
Tuam came looking again but Ballina held firm and retaliated. Eventually the guests located some space and the backs poured through.
Aaron O'Malley got ball in hand and raced past two defenders before carrying a third with him to touch down out wide on the left for a 10-3 lead.
Tuam came looking again and were moving the ball fast, but up stepped Sean Murphy. He spotted an opportunity and snatched a long pass out of the air before racing away like the wind with all of the home side chasing him.
Murphy's legs were going like the clappers and his lungs burning but he dived over the line with the Tuam team breathing down his neck.
The home side knew that if they didn't step up they would lose touch and they powered over, ldriving hard after a lineout, to leave the half-time score reading 8-17.

After the resumption, Tuam were resolute in their determination and crossed again to close the gap to two, 15-17.
Buoyed by this they pressed hard again and again, but tBallina helf them out and worked up the field before being awarded a kickable penalty for a 15-20 lead.
The visitors knew that they needed more light between the sides and created it when Sam Callinan crashed over to the right of the posts. That left ten points between the sides.
However, the home side knew that they had time to get back into it and rushed up field, eventually crashing over under the posts to leave just three between them, 22-25.
Ballina were under pressure, but their experience paid off and they held their shape, not allowing the home side score again before the final whistle went.
Management knows that there is a lot of work yet to be done, but were pleased that this was the first time that both wings scored in the one match.
Onto the next one!