Corinthians v Ballina Under 16 Boys Quarterfinal of the Cup

Ballina Under 16 Boys played Corinthians away in the Connacht Youth Cup competition. After putting away Buccanneers in the first round, Ballina travelled the N17 to Galway on a cold Sunday morning. This was going to be a big match for this Ballina team. Short in numbers in the squad against a full strength Corinthians team, it was going to be no easy task.
Corinthians had the ball early on and made headway but Ballina turned it on, with the wind at their backs, storming down the pitch to get over the line, only to be held up by a last ditch effort by a Corinthians defender. There was constant pressure on the Corinthians line which did not yield for Ballina.
Lineouts proved successful for Ballina and it was off a well worked lineout maul that the first try came from scored by No. 8, Sean Walkin. It was converted well from the side,in a strong wind, by Outhalf Shea O'Donoghue. Ballina had built well and were now in front, 7 nil. It wasn't long though before Corinthians with home advantage support put some phases together. Corinthians were strong in the rucks and counter rucks before using their back line on the left wing and scoring down the Ballina end. They converted this try, 7 all.
Ballina were then under pressure again from some good attacking play by Corinthians. Ballina managed to defend well off their set piece scrum which was superb all match. A clearing kick, by O'Donoghue, off the set piece scrum on the Ballina 5 yard line made it into the Corinthians 22 with the wind behind it. It was collected by the Corinthians full back who made a fantastic run with support play scoring for Corinthians. The conversion was missed however. 12 v 7 to Corinthians.
The second half proved to be even more exciting than the already fantastic first half. Lineouts and Scrums were solid by Ballina winning some against the head and later Corinthians No. 6 put a hand on the ball in the scrum and Ballina got a penalty. From this Ballina attacked well utilising backs and forwards. No 8, Walkin running in for a well worked try down the far left side. The chilling easterly wind was playing its part and making conversions from the sides almost impossible. 12 all. The game was in the balance but determination was evident in both teams.
As the second half went on, Corinthians made an attack down the left wing scoring in the corner despite a last ditch tackle attempt by Niall Feeney. This never say give up attitude meant Corinthians were forced into the corner making the conversion in the wind a more difficult task. The conversion failed to go over. 17 to 12.
In times past, this Ballina team would have dropped their heads but while they gathered under the posts, they talked themselves up with great positive attitude. And they fought back, ice cool under pressure with minutes to go, the forwards worked their way up into the Corinthians half, forcing the Corinthians into giving away penalties. Tap and go, Ballina kept head on into them. The front row fowards played a huge part in tiring the Corinthians defence and creating space. With a minute to go, Ballina now in the 22, passed out left and onto the wing for James Kennedy, who had to work hard and fly past the Corinthians defence into the left corner to level the match. This conversion was missed because of the strong cold wind but only Sexton would have put it over in those conditions.
A huge team effort, the ice cold wind in Corinthians hampered both teams with conversions but determination and stamina of these 17 players did what was needed to stay in the Cup. Final score, a draw at 17 all and a home replay in Ballina beckons for this exciting Ballina Under 16 Boys squad.