Ballina secure crucial All Ireland League victory

Ballina's hopes of retaining their All Ireland League status received a huge boost on Saturday when they went to Clonmel and defeated the home side 21-13 in a rip-roaring encounter. The Mayo side had been in danger of being cut adrift at the foot of the Division 2C table with five rounds to go, but Saturday's road-win has lifted them to within one point of the play-off place and five points from guaranteed safety.

Mid-table Clonmel were a huge challenge for the Moysiders who hadn't won on the road for a number of seasons, but they began well with a fine try courtesy of Bradley Nealon. The Kilglass flyer got on the end of a fine team move after eight minutes to put his side in front, however two converted penalties from Josef O'Connor before half-time gave the home side a narrow 6-5 advantage at the break.

Ballina were on a mission and came out for the second half in determined mood. Darragh Whyte kicked two penalties to move the Mayo side 11-6 clear in the third quarter before Joe Murphy set Ballina hearts dancing with a fine try in the corner and when Whyte landed the conversion victory was within sight.

That said, Clonmel never stopped trying and when O'Connor got in for a try after 72 minutes and kicked the conversion himself, the gap was back to just five, 18-13.

Ballina needed to steady the ship again and did so when Whyte kicked a late penalty to secure the win and vital league points.

The Moysiders now look forward to next Saturday afternoon when they host Midleton in Heffernan Park at 2.30pm. This is another do-or-die encounter where victory would give them huge momentum at a critical part of the season.