Seven-try Ballina hit the ground running
Rob Fridd runs in to score one of his two tries in Ballina's comfortable home win against Corinthians last Sunday. Picture: John O'Grady
Ballina got their league season off to the perfect start with a seven-try win over Corinthians at Heffernan Park on Sunday.
Darragh Whyte scored two tries and six conversions in a 22-point haul for the Ballina winger, in what was a memorable day for the club, as the new dressing rooms were unveiled for the first time.
Playing in front of a big crowd in perfect weather, Ballina gave the home support plenty to cheer for.
However, it was Corinthians who got off to the perfect start after five minutes, when winger Adam Laffey was out through in the corner for the opening try of the game.
Ballina did not panic, and drew level just two minutes later, when a great solo run from Whyte put the Mayo side back level.
The Galway visitors used their scrum and lineout maul as a weapon early on, but Ballina held on with some excellent defending in their own 22.
They almost scored an incredible try from a move inside their own 22, but flanker Jason Duggan was ruled to have knocked the ball on.
It did not take long for Ballina to respond, with centre Rob Fridd going over after some more great work on the wing from Whyte, who also converted the try.
Ballina found their grove as the first-half went on, with some great work between Calum Quinn and Whyte putting Luke Sweeney through for their third try.
It only took Ballina 30 minutes go get the bonus point, with hooker Billy McVann going over in the corner as the gaps began to open in the Corinthians defence.
Whyte continued to cause the Galway side defence trouble, and he had his second try with another excellent run as Ballina went 33-7 ahead at the interval.
Ballina continued the one-way traffic in the second-half, as number eight Luke Sweeney scored his second try. Fly-half Cian Anderson chipped the ball over the defence and after a scramble, it was Sweeney who reacted quickest.
Corinthians had a consolation in the 48th minute as centre Gerard Murtagh scored their second try, which was converted by Jack Conway. However, the joy for the Galway side was shortlived, as inside centre Fridd scored his second try just three minutes later.
The second-half was a more scrappy affair, as Ballina continued to apply the pressure, but were held up at vital moments.
As a contest, the game was over at half-time, with Corinthians unable to take advantage of the extra man when McVann was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle.
Whyte had an opportunity to complete his hat-trick but the ball was knocked on when he unselfishly passed it on.
It was Ballina who had the final say of the day, when second row Conor Boyce went over for the final try of the game.
Brian Heffernan’s chase put pressure on the Corinthians defence who were forced over their own tryline to give away a five-metre scrum.
After going through a couple of phases, Quinn powered through before offloading the ball to Boyce to get involved in the scoring.
Corinthians battled for a third try, but Ballina held on for a resounding 40-point win to get their league season underway.
After some years away from rugby in Ballina, Whyte was speaking after the game on how happy he is to be back scoring in his hometown jersey.
“We were working really hard in pre-season, a lot of young guys came into the team.
“It has been a while since I played here in Ballina. It has been three years. It is really nice to be in front of a home crowd and everyone cheering us on.
“The west of Ireland character here is brilliant and I really missed it, but I am delighted to be back and really hoping to kick on.”
Ballina: Sean O’Connell, Billy McVann, Matthew Bourke; Cian Fitzpatrick, Conor Boyce; Jason Duggan, Dylan Rice, Luke Sweeney; Liam Matheson, Cian Anderson; Rob Fridd, Calum Quinn, Darragh Whyte, Ian West, Paul Brennan. Subs: Brian Heffernan, Gary Kavanagh, Gerard Kavanagh, Gerard McKenna, Danny Donegan, Ronan Connolly.
Corinthians: James Duffy, Harry Lynch, Alex Burke; Nick Harrison, Ryan Gaughan; Will Dooner, Jamie Tracy, Rob Murphy; Ben Loft, Jack Conway; Conor Mangan, Gerard Murtagh; Jack Burns, Adam Laffey, Evan Murphy.
Subs: Arnau Maslas, Tom Newell, Alex O’Brien, Euan Kavanagh, Eighin Mulligan, Brian Grealy.
