Sean Mullin inspires Ballinrobe to victory over Castlebar in Mayo rugby derby

CONNACHT JUNIOR CUP ROUND ONE

Castlebar 17

Ballinrobe 24

In Cloondeash

In extremely wet and windy conditions on Sunday afternoon, it was the combination of a powerful forward pack, smart kicking and the colossal impact from centre Sean Mullin that won the day for Ballinrobe.

Castlebar put up a spirited performance, defensively strong especially in the first half, but eventually the inexperienced side were kicked out of the Connacht Junior Cup.

Ballinrobe's Mullin had the impact of a wrecking ball and was almost impossible to contain. Numerous thundering tackles, line breaks, poached balls at the breakdown or reliable hands kept the Castlebar defence on the back foot.

The highlight of the day came when Ballinrobe was turning up the pressure inside Castlebar's 22. Mullin received the ball and crashed through two tacklers and irresistibly crossed the whitewash between the posts.

The first try of the day gave Ballinrobe a 10-3 half-time lead in 40 minutes of rugby where the visitor's fly-half Dylan Keane was only too happy to hoof the ball deep into the Castlebar half, boosted by a strong breeze in their favour.

Winger Liam Burke showed his brilliance with his blistering pace and also kicking a valuable 50:22.

Even being down due to a yellow card for second-row Liam Lynch didn't throw Ballinrobe off course.

Castlebar couldn't get a foothold into the game, Ballinrobe was dominating the territory, winning penalties or benefitting from Castlebar mistakes in crucial moments.

Early in the second half, Ballinrobe smashed a Castlebar scrum to turn the ball over, and in the aftermath Tom Lynagh scored the guests' second try. 

There was a glimmer of hope for Castlebar, when Paddy Flannelly's men scored their only try when Enzo Rago picked up the ball from the back of a ruck, spotting a gap in the defence to cross the whitewash unimpeded.

Even though the deficit was down to seven, it was Ballinrobe winning the territory battle, getting a foothold inside Castlebar's 22. A miscued relief kick from the hosts landed in Liam Lynch's hands and he pushed on to touch it down for a try in the dying moments of the game.

The conversion meant that Ballinrobe carried the day in a Mayo rugby derby, that was heated at times and a hugely physical battle. 

In the quarter-final the men managed by Damien Burke will be a test for anyone.

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.