U14'S win with true grit

Back on the pitch in the league one week after losing the top spot the Ballina U14 team faced a Ballinasloe side that had defeated the Moy boys twice last season so this was a grudge match to add spice to proceedings it was 2nd vs 3rd in the league with winners cementing 2nd place. From the kick off the visitors applied relentless pressure and were expecting the home side to crumple but Ballina repelled the visitors but gave away a penalty which the visitors converted. Undaunted the Moy boys settled them selves a set to the task and following some fine play Sam Callinan broke down the left wing and scored ,Harry West converted ,Ballinasloe knew then they were in a match and the boys in green started to believe in them selves the sidelines knew they were in for a new years treat ....game on.
The visitors applied extreme pressure from the restart and following several quick rucks scored to the left of the post and converted.but the home side were not deterred and set to the task with grim determination, Ballinasloe again came looking and got twice close to the line but furious defense by Daniel Boland ,Alex Hennigan, Fichna Barrett ,and all the pack the line was kept intact but following an incident a yellow card was produced and Ballinasloe awarded a penalty score 7- 9 .
Despite the difference in numbers the Moy boys adapted and fought like demons clawing their way up the field and when they were returned to parity they struck line out ,quick ball several rucks ,next the ball ended up in Patrick Morrin's hands ,only one thought head down straight for the line from the 22 ,but with 4 players hanging out of him he was dragged down ,ball recycled ,another drive ,and another 5 phases and finally Sean Murphy drove over to touch down ,not converted 12-9 confidence was starting to soar.
Following the restart Ballina applied pressure but every time the ball was turned over and Ballinasloe would break out of defense but follow a kick from deep Paul Brennan gathered turned and ran wide leaving the defense scattered in his wake ball, transferred to Harry West afterburners on... score out wide.......,too wide for the conversion 17-9, the visitors were starting to creak.
From the kickoff Ballinasloe targeted Ballina's smallest player John Ginty, big mistake he may be small in stature but his heart is strong and a gifted footballer ,he turned gathered the ball sidestepped two players before being tackled ball placed ruck won ballina broke out of their 22 and were working their way up the field when half time came to the rescue.
During the break coach Richard West set out the game plan for the 2nd half ,encouraging players ,rising the determination and resolve,with his words ringing in their ears the boys from Mayo returned to the fray steel eyed .
Ballinasloe set to their task like men possessed spinning the ball right and left rucking everything . Ballina,s defense finally buckled try and conversion 17-15.
Bouyed by this Ballinasloe kept the pressure on and soon after were awarded a penalty which they converted 17-18 the boys in green had to steady the ship and keep a cool head but the ferocity of the game continued and this Ballinasloe had not lost a compettive game in two years, so they know how to manage a game and to take their points when the chance comes round , so when Ballina transgressed the visitors duly took the points 17-21 ,ten minutes to go.The boys in green went into a huddle, laid their plans ,gum shields in and set to the task ,they harried and tackled rucked and counter rucked applied pressure everywhere and following a knockon were awarded a scrum in their own half, the move called, the scrum won ball spun out to Sam Callinan break down the left side ,but disaster, last ditch tackle by the visiting defense .....up popped the support in the form of Alex Hennigan and no one stops him from 5 yards in open play, try under the posts.Converted by Harry West 24-21 Two minutes to go, Ballinasloe drove up the field won back the ball Ballina defended ,high tackle, yellow card, down to 14 men Ballinasloe smelt blood but the home side were not for turning ....full time but no celebations the boys in green thought they had lost then ecstacy an uplifting win and one over the opposition supporters, players and management savoured the moment true grit and skill won the day.