U15'S DO THE DOUBLE

What a season for this Ballina U15, they are unbeaten all season in all competitions. They won the league scoring 450 points, conceding only 63 points.
On Sunday afternoon these boys arrived with their numerous supporters to the Sportsground in Galway for a repeat of last years cup final against Galwegians.
As it regularly happens at this venue the wind was a factor and following the toss the Boys in green were playing into it, straight from the kick off Galwegians tore into the Mayo boys and proceeded to build pressure driving Ballina back and testing the defence in close and out wide with Sean Murphy and Liam Golden throwing their bodies around in defence. Galwegians applied all this pressure but the only reward was a missed penalty.
Slowly the Moy boys grew into the game and worked their way up the park with breaks from Sam Callinan and strong drives from props Hedd Morgan and Patrick Morrin and the back three of Mark Barrett, John Ginty and Seamus Mason resulting in a rare visit to the Galwegians 22 metre line, Ballina were about to turn the screw when a turnover for Galwegians resulted in a quick break down field, Ballina stopped the attack but conceded a penalty which was taken quickly and was rewarded with a try out wide which was not converted. Ballina were 5 nil down.
Ballina rallied after this shock and were getting more possession with play taking place around the half way line. Then disaster struck, Jack Gawley who was having a fine game in the loose and the set pieces went down injured and had to be helped off but to the applause of the stands, he was replaced ably by Harry Reagan.
Ciaran Boland who was every where on the pitch in attack and defence , broke up field and drove deep into the opposition half, the ball was quickly recycled to Darragh Walsh who went on one of his trademark pick and go drives, the ball was shipped out wide but a ferocious tackle from the Galwegians fullback resulted in a knock on and a scrum awarded to Galwegians. From the scrum Galwegians elected to shift the ball left, straight into a thunderous tackle by Alex Hennigan. Galwegians spilled the ball and in an instant Alex latched onto the ball and scored under the posts and was converted by Harry West, 7:5 to Ballina
The Moy boys came looking again applying pressure and pinning the Galway team in their own 22 ,they tried to run it out but up stepped our smallest player with the biggest heart, John Ginty, with a intercept try, the supporters had to wait for what seemed like an eternity, as John was running, the defence closed in, John changed course and headed for the corner he was tackled but touched down, after consulting with the touch judge the Referee raised his arm, TRY. John will never score a more important try for the club. Half time, 12-5 to the boys in green.
At the break management replaced both props with Daniel Boland and Cormac Jackson. The second half started with the boys in green gaining a foot hold on the Galwegians try line, however Ballina failed to score. Galwegians had a defensive system tailored to nullify the Ballina attack ,the pressure applied on David Feeney and Harry West, Ballina's half backs was immense but slowly these two players wove their magic and drove on their team. Paul Brennan was brought on at full back and he was called on to make a number of great catches. The game ebbed and flowed. Ballina worked their way up the field and applied pressure time and again, eventually a penalty was awarded which Harry West duly converted .15-5 and 5 minutes to go and Ballina were two scores ahead. Galwegians drove up field looking to close the gap to give themselves a chance but the Moy boys turned over the ball in their own 22, the ball was transferred to the willing hands of flying centre Sam Callinan who drove through the cover, sped down the far wing handing off despairing tackles supported all the way by Seamus Mason, Sam was clear all the way to the posts, the icing on the cake.
Harry West converted, 22-5. The Referee blew full time and wild celebrations followed.

BALLINA: Hedd Morgan, Darragh Walsh, patrick morrin, Sean Murphy, Jack Gawley, Alex Hennigan, Ciaran Boland (Capt), Fiachna Barrett, Davin Feeney, Harry West,Mark Barrett, Sam Callinan, Liam Golden,John Ginty Seamus mason
Liam Connor, Daniel Boland, Alex Moran, Thomas O'Boyle, John Ginty, Eoin Fox, Cian Meryerink, Cormac Jackson, , Cian Gibbons, Harry Regan