Tonight we went to Buccaneers in the U 17 cup and played a team who were undefeated all season. As they say on Facebook what happened next was unbelievable. Our boys were deprived of games since January 18th, but tonight they played their hearts out. Ballinasloe started well and Ciaran Tumulty rumbled over a forwards try. Brian Horkan converted. Micheal O Neill weary after playing in the senior schools cup final on Wednesday won a great penalty on the Buccs 10 m line. Brian Horkan converted a great strike. Buccs in their resolute fashion marched up the pitch and scored a rumbled try in the corner. They failed to convert. Half time 5 v 10 to Ballinasloe.
Playing against the breeze in the second half Ballinasloe came out fighting and earned a penalty 30 m from goal, which Brian Horkan converted with some to spare.
The game was then played in the Ballinasloe half of the pitch. Everybody did what was required, especially Eoin Galvin and Ciaran Tumulty who tackled their hearts out. Brian Horkan kicked with great maturity to ease the pressure, but the Buccs threw everything at us and were rewarded with a dubious try in the right corner, they failed to convert. Game on.
Wave after wave of Buccaneers attacks were driven back and this was neutralized by two things, one a massive tackle by Brian Horkan on the Buccs winger and the the mauling performance by the forwards, ( thanks Noel Mannion) what a way to close a second half with 42 minutes played!!!. Game over, bring on the semi final.
Well done to all, and thanks for all the support, we had more support than the home team, a great end to a great week for Ballinasloe rugby.
Ballinasloe U 14 followed up last weeks defeat of Carrick-on-shannon
with a quarter final victory over Castlebar away in the Connaught Cup on Sunday. Tries from Cian Treay, Patrick Grehan, Shane Jennings, Sean Horkan, Cormac Finn, Naise Muldoon, Luke Corbett, Padraig Flannagan and James Carry – and nine successful conversions by Cian Treacy – brought the final score to 78 – nil. The team coached by Tom Finn, Derek Treacy and Gearoid Finneran now meet the winners of the other quarter final between Corinthians v Galwegians away in the semi-final
in three weeks time.
Ballinasloe U-13s got their cup campaign off to a flying start today.
They beat Carrick on Shannon 51-0 in the first round of the cup.
Their captain Mark Mitchell gave a man of the match display scoring 3 tries.
Other try scorers were Phelim Reilly,Connell Moore,John Claffey ,Conor Lohan ,Andrew Doyle & Sam Murphy.
Matthew Devine converted 3.
Tougher oppoosition await them next week where they are away to Westport in the Quarter Final.
Well done to all the players & management.
Big Thank you to Mary Feeney & all who helped in the clubhouse afterwards.
Ballinasloe Under 18 girls traveled to Westport on Saturday to take on a strong Westport/Galwegians team in the semi final of the cup. Ballinasloe played most of the match with twelve players due to injuries received. But they never gave up on the game and conceded 34-19 at the final whistle. They finished second in the league, a good result for their first season.
Well done once again to our Under girls team who defeated a strong and determined Westport/Galwegians combined team to reach their second cup final in a row. It will take place next Saturday in the Sports-ground. All support welcome. Details to follow