PLAYED in Westport RFC under the shadow of Croagh Patrick, this Curley Shield final was a great game of rugby. Ballina started well with a foray into the Galwegians half. A line out went askew, followed by a scrum that buckled, as the Ballina pack with some fresh faces became acquainted. The skillsets were good however and it wasn’t long before Ronan Molloy announced his return to play by knocking a Galwegians attack backwards with a tackle that rocked. The scrum settled, Danny Donegan and Brian Boland, propping up their hooking colleague, Stephen Tuffy in the front row. They were soon dominating.

With the wind blowing off the Atlantic in the first half, Cian Anderson was able to direct his kicks like Exocet missiles up the line to gain ground. Mark Walker soared in the line out to take clean possession. The Ballina back line whipped the ball to the right wing where Dara Padden made ground, stepping inside his man and accelerating into space looked as though he might score until a last gasp tackle by the Galwegian full-back. The Ballina forwards recycled quick ball through captain Neil Molloy, deftly moved to the left wing where Michael Gillespie showed speed and strength to get over in the corner to touch down. Anderson added the conversion from the touch line.

Michael Moran, rock steady full-back for Ballina, fielded a Galwegian kick and launched a counter attack. He linked well with forwards Michael Collins and Michael McLoughlin who both carried hard, earning hard yards and ultimately a penalty for Ballina. Anderson converted to put Ballina into a 10-0 lead.

Galwegians hit back with a try on the right wing as Ballina became somewhat disjointed in defence. The conversion went astray.

Galwegians purple patch continued and they got a second score before half-time which they converted to leave them ahead at halftime, 10-12.

Nathan Herbert joined the front row at half-time, Niall Keane moved from centre to scrum half and Cian Quinn came on at 12 to join Adam Naughton in the centre. The re-invented midfield worked hard, playing into the wind. The Ballina scrum was now dominant and bossing their opponents. Unfortunately a breakaway try from Galwegians hit Ballina a sucker punch.

Ballina battled back up the pitch, inspired by some thunderous tackles by Alex Hennigan and Brian Heffernan. Adam Naughton made a fine break after being put into space by Quinn. Ballina were awarded a penalty 10 metres from the Galwegian line. They opted for a scrum. Set strong, they powered steadily towards the Galwegian line, Collins at 8, gently guiding the ball with Keane ready to pounce. Galwegians collapsed. Referee Keith Haverty had no hesitation in indicating a penalty try.

Daithi Murphy replaced Heffernan at wing forward. The Ballina bench were all playing their part. Unfortunately not all the squad could be given game time.

With the score all square at 17-17, it was a case of who blinked first as the clock edged closer to full time. Both sides attacked with ferocity and at one stage it looked as though Ballina must score but the blue line held firm.

Ballina were penalised for not rolling away in the tackle, although it was difficult for the player to do so while pinned to the ground by Galwegian attackers. Galwegians kicked the penalty successfully between the posts with the assistance of the prevailing wind to take a three point lead which they never relinquished to win the Curley Shield.

An entertaining game with plenty to give encouragement to Ballina. Disappointing to lose a final by such a fine margin but evidence of great potential. Man of the match, Alex Hennigan, led by example, linking well with his colleagues and tackling all that moved.

BALLINA
Danny Donegan, Stephen Tuffy, Brian Boland, Mark Walker, Michael McLoughlin, Brian Heffernan, Alex Hennigan, Michael Collins, Neil Molloy, Cian Anderson, Dara Padden, Ronan Molloy, Niall Keane, Michael Gillespie, Michael Moran.
Replacements: Nathan Herbert, Daithi Murphy, Cian Quinn, Adam Naughton, Chris Walsh, Derek Kenny, Fergus Quinn, Davis Purins, Eddy Dodd, Orrie Collins.