BALLINA built on the previous week’s away win in Castlebar with a solid home defeat of Galwegians last Sunday. This match was an improvement in performance in several key areas.

Ballina were in control of the match virtually from kick off to full-time due to much better ball handling by the home team and a dominant pack which was efficient in the lineouts and had the upper hand in scrums. In the loose Ballina rucked and counter rucked well ensuring good continuity which maintained the pressure on their opponents. Ballina opened the scoring when the ball was spun by captain and scrum-half Michael Murphy to out-half Andy Moynihan who hit a beautifully struck drop goal. Ballina were soon back in the Galwegians half again and were awarded a kickable penalty which Andy Moynihan put over to stretch the home team’s lead to 6-0.

The home side’s dominance was clearly established when they scored their first try after 20 minutes. Good continuity by the forwards and good handling by Andy Moynihan and David Newman was eventually rewarded when Michael Clarke cut through the line and touched down for a very good try. Andy Moynihan put over the difficult conversion giving the Mayo men a 13-0 lead.

Galwegians responded and set about applying some pressure to the home side themselves. Centre Colm Flannery was strong and hard running while forwards Niall Forde and Barry Ahearn were at the heart of an off loading game which saw the visitors power their way all the way to the Ballina try line. Ballina’s scramble defence was excellent however, and Danny Carrabine in particular made some vital uncompromising tackles on the line to keep the Galway men out. Ballina survived a lineout five metres from their line and drove their opponents back, eventually turning over the ball and clearing to touch.

The back row of Aidan McNulty, Conor Forde and Shane Loftus were uncompromising when tackling and turned defence into attack forcing many turnovers at the breakdown. Ballina often seemed on the verge of another decisive score, such as when Prop forward Paul Newell broke free and brushing off would be tacklers, powered clear deep into Galwegians territory. With just the Galwegian full-back John Corcoran to beat, he tried to link up with his support but unfortunately the ball went to ground and the chance was lost. It remained 13-0 until half time.

Ballina continued to dominate after the restart. Conor Forde, Danny Carrabine and Shane Loftus were benefiting from good throwing by Richard Kelly in the lineout. James Cawley came on for Marc Healy in the second row and had a positive impact. Scrum-half Michael Murphy varied his game well, directing his pack, taking command when he had to and giving Moynihan good service. Moynihan was narrowly wide with a penalty kick but for all Ballina’s good play they could-n’t add to their tally on the scoreboard.

Eventually, 20 minutes into the half and following good handling by backs and forwards, the reward came. Newell, Loftus, Murphy, Moynihan and Newman were all once again at the heart of the build up to the score before Robert Forbes was put into space with a man out side. He sold a dummy and cut inside, running under the posts for a good score. Moynihan made no mistake with the conversion.

Stephen Dolan was on the pitch for Aidan McNulty in the back row where he soon threw himself into the thick of the action, and Ciaran Rouse came on the wing for Niall O’Malley. Rouse soon was making his presence felt. On one occasion a cross field kick to him from Moynihan was almost inch perfect and a score seemed on but the ball skidded out on the greasy surface. Later he was put away into space down the wing by good handling and before he was tackled into touch, he had the presence of mind to kick infield. The ball halted invitingly right in front of the try line between the posts, and Andy Moynihan looked certain to score as he slid down on the ball but Galwegian winger Ciaran Griffith did spectacularly well to get back and fly-kick the ball to safety.

Ballina had cause to feel frustrated at not having scored the required four trys which would have earned them a bonus point. This should not take away from the many improvements the side has made on their last outing and with more work and development they can look forward to their next game which is in the All-Ireland Junior Cup when they host Ulster side Armagh on Saturday, October 31 in what promises to be a exciting encounter.

BALLINA: Paul Newell, Richard Kelly, Tom Tolan, Marc Healy, Danny Carrabine, Conor Forde, Shane Loftus, Aidan McNulty, Michael Murphy (c), Andrew Moynihan, Nial O’Malley, David Newman, Michael Clarke, Cormac Quinn, Robert Forbes. Replacements: James Cawley, Stephen Dolan, Ciaran Rouse.

GALWEGIANS: John Mackey, Ross Fitzgerald, Barry Ahearn, Joe Moran, Niall Forde, Liam Griffith, Mark Rouse, Greg Leaden, Eoghan O’Rian, Rob O’Beirne, Brian O’Donohue, Colin Flannery, Terry O’Donnell, Ciaran Griffith, John Corcoran. Replacements: Declan Kiely, Shaun Meehan.

Referee: Joe Doyne.

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