Underdogs Ballinrobe get better of Mayo rivals
Kevin Hughes breaks forward for Ballinrobe during their cup win away to Castlebar in Cloondeash last Sunday afternoon. Picture: Conor McKeown
Ballinrobe advanced to the Connacht Junior Cup quarter-finals after victory over Castlebar at a packed Cloondeash last Sunday afternoon.
Given that the Robesiders play a division below their opponents in the Connacht League, this victory may be seen as an upset, but Ballinrobe capitalised upon what was a young, inexperienced side. The visitors, inspired by their centre Sean Mullin, took full advantage and once they went ahead, Castlebar were unable to reel them back in.
The heavy rain and strong wind from the south affected the game from the start. Ballinrobe started with the wind behind them and began an assault on the Castlebar line. The bigger Ballinrobe players tried everything to get to the Castlebar line but Castlebar’s younger and lighter outfit were excellent in defence, displaying great tackling and wonderful spirit, forcing Ballinrobe back into their own half and causing panic in the visitors defence. However, the lack of experience denied them the try that seemed inevitable at one stage.
An indiscretion from Ballinrobe gave Stevie Rogan the opportunity to open the scoring from the boot which he did in the twelfth minute, excellently from the 10-metre line into the considerable wind and rain.
From the restart, the game moved to centre field without either team making much progress. On the half hour, Ballinrobe won a penalty for offside which Dylan Keane converted to level the scores. As the half came to a close, Ballinrobe upped the pressure on the home side which led to a try for Sean Mullin under the posts. This was converted by Keane to leave the half-time score 10-3 in favour of the South Mayo men.
The second-half started in whirlwind fashion with Ballinrobe going for the jugular and crossing under the Castlebar posts where Thomas Lynagh touched down. Dylan Keane again converted.
This was a near fatal blow for Castlebar who to their credit fought back well and brought the game into the Ballinrobe 22 where with about 10 minutes remaining, replacement Enzo Rago touched down near the Ballinrobe posts. Stevie Rogan converted to leave Castlebar with a fighting chance going into the closing stages.
Ballinrobe managed the game excellently however, and pressurised the Castlebar defence continually. A handling error on the line allowed Liam Lynch to cross under the posts and Keane again converted with the last kick of the game to leave fourteen points between the teams at the full-time whistle.
Ballinrobe now face Dunmore in the next round while Castlebar enter into the Connacht Plate.
Ballinrobe: Conor Forde, Peter Finlay, Eoin DeBurca, Liam Lynch, Stephen O’Connor, Thomas Lynagh, Darragh Lynch, Jack O’Toole, Killian McHugh, Dylan Keane, Eoghan Lynagh, Daniel Keane, Sean Mullin, Liam Burke, Thomas Morris. Replacements: Liam Dever, Paul Gibbons, Kevin Hughes, John Carter, Ronan Hughes, Conor Byrne, Kevin Mullin, Art O’Neill.
Castlebar: Sean Tonra, Adam Murphy, Carl Jackson, Excel Anslam, Bryan O’Flaherty, Richard Sweeney, Peter Basquille, Sean Collins, Damien Togher, Stephen Rogan, Oisin Moran, Matthew Flannelly, Sean O’Grady, Oran Cresham, James Balaski. Replacements: David O'Donnell, Cathal Fahy, Conor McInerney, Enzo Rago, Orann Bourke James Lynskey, Leo Bailey, Gareth Dunne.
REF: Gerry Geraghty
