Rugby briefs: Ups and downs for Ballina sides
A brave performance from Ballina came up just short against defending U18.5 champions Corinthians in Heffernan Park on Sunday. The home side were pipped by a single point, 20-19, in an exciting match held in dreadful conditions.
Corinthians opened the scoring with a try after 10 minutes. Ballina replied with a superb kick off from Peter Barrett which resulted in a line-out in the Corinthians 22. Lorcan Hughes gained possession and barged over for a try which Billy Ruane converted. The game ebbed and flowed with Corinthians touching down for a try to restore their advantage.
As the match progressed Ballina were awarded a penalty five metres from the Corinthians line and decided to run the ball. This resulted in Jason Duggan powering over for a try. Corinthians powered back up the pitch and decided to take a handy three points from a penalty in front of the posts.
The next score arrived when Corinthians hacked through on a dropped possession from Ballina and touched down close to the posts. The home side needed to respond and came back powerfully from this body blow with a fine try from Peter Barrett under the posts, which Ruane converted, to close the gap to a single point, 19-20.
However, Ballina ran out of time and were disappointed with their one-point loss. In a team full of heroes, it is hard to pick out some but Brian Donohoe, Oisin McNicholas, Daniel Feeney and Pearse Geraghty were on the top of their game as the squad look towards the next challenge.
Ballina's Development XV played their way to an impressive 29-14 win over Carrick on Shannon in the Connacht League on Sunday. Conor Brown and Andrew Ruane crossed for excellent tries while skipper Neil Molloy led by example and had the troops moving well from his position at scrum half.
Ian West slotted in at out-half and ran a good show. Chris Healy was lightning quick on the wing and caused mayhem when the ball came his way. The introduction of Jack Duffy midway into the second-half also made a big impact.
Ballina's U16 Girls recorded a great 40-15 win against a strong Creggs team in Heffernan Park on Saturday.
The victory was fashioned by an excellent team performance with three tries by Kate Gallagher followed by singles from Aine McGranaghan, Aoife Farrell and Grainne Martin. Points were added from the boot by Grainne Martin (four conversions) and Aoife Farrell (one conversion) The win secures the squad a place in the Connacht league semi-final.
