Ballina land crucial win with thrilling seven-try display

All-Ireland League Division 2C

Ballina 47 Bangor 33

Michael Gallagher in Ballina 

Seven tries, scintillating rugby and a big home support rocking in the aisles. Heffernan Park on the banks of the majestic Moy was a happy place on Saturday evening as Ballina powered to a crucial All Ireland League win in fine fashion.

Afterwards in the changing room, Club President Adrian Bourke stood and thanked the players and management for the effort, desire and above all the attitude shown on their beloved home ground as Bangor were beaten.

A few minutes earlier the squad and management had stood in the heart of their supporters and sang their famed victory song – ‘The Boys From The County Mayo’ – and all was good in their world.

Ballina needed to win on Saturday and went about their business right from the start. They played quick, exciting rugby and roared into a big half-time lead. They weren’t happy with that state of affairs and drove on even more after the resumption to stand 47-7 clear as time ticked away.

At that stage, the effort began to tell and Bangor finished powerfully to run in a number of tries and gain a losing bonus point for themselves, but in the great scheme of things, Saturday was Ballina’s day and the broad smiles afterwards told their own story.

The home side had excellent performers all over the field with Alex Corduff making his first appearance of the season, Gary Kavanagh leading the team brilliantly from the front, Cody Chilcott and Cian Quinn creative and crucial at half-back and Darragh Whyte having a memorable afternoon just hours after celebrating his birthday.

The full-back scored two tries, had another disallowed and kicked six conversions – it was that kind of day.

Ballina were 21-7 clear at half time after playing with a huge breeze on their backs. Whyte has raced over for two tries and side-stepping winger, Liam Golden, had breezed over for another.

The pack were blasting their way around the place with youth international Sean Hopkins, Cill Chomain’s finest, Conor Mason and lion-hearted young gun, Blayze Molloy prominent ball carriers.

Bangor were powerful with ball in hand and their try came from second-row Jamie Thallon but the guests were finding it hard to cope with the off-loading game of the home boys.

The second half began with Ballina again on the front foot. Cian Quinn wriggled over for try number four in the early minutes of the new half. Joe Murphy danced over seven minutes later and the lethal Calum Quinn made it 42-7 after 63 minutes.

Bangor began to find themselves after that as Jamie Clegg and Matt Bougue got over for fine tries before Calum Quinn got in again to make it 47-21 for the home boys.

The final ten minutes belonged to the guests as they ran powerfully at a tiring home side and Ryan McCarroll and Ryan Young got in for two more fine scores for the visitors from the north, but when the final whistle sounded it was time for the home boys to clear the throats and get ready to sing the sing they love so well.

A full match report and aftermatch reaction from Ballina’s club captain Ronan Molloy will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.