Mayo rugby club buzzing ahead of huge league clash with the champions

CONNACHT RUGBY J1A LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW

THERE'S a huge sense of excitement on Moyside as Sunday's much-anticipated rugby clash comes over the horizon. Final preparations are being made in Heffernan Park, home of Ballina RFC as they prepare to welcome the men of Creggs to their gleaming facility.

The contest to see who will win the Connacht J1A League semi-final promises to be a classic and Ballina's home ground is already gleaming as the hours tick by.

The impressive club grounds just a long line-out throw from the banks of the Moy is named after the legendary Ivan Heffernan, a man at the epicentre of sporting lore in and around Ballina. There are many chapters in the rugby story of Heffernan, among them the fact that he led the men in green to a famous Connacht Senior Cup and league double in 1951.

However, that's only one line in Heffernan's sporting resumé and when the history of the Moyside club is written his name will be written alongside so many more. Countless heroes are found in the records of Ballina RFC and numerous family names dance through the ether when the past is recalled – Murphy, Sherry, Mellett, Bourke, Quinn, O'Donnell, Moylett, Duffy, Rowe, Michaels, Mescal and so many, many more decorate conversations.

On Sunday next, a new band of men will look to write another chapter in the current story of the club. The First XV will run onto Heffernan Park just before 2pm on Sunday to face the challenge of Creggs in a contest which will frame their entire season.

Win and a league final awaits in the Dexcom Stadium – lose and the drive to be champions will be put on ice for another year.

DRIVE AND ENERGY

Luke Sweeney has seen it all before. The team captain was a central figure when Ballina blitzed through Connacht in 2018 and then powered their way into the All-Ireland League. Initial success followed before the club arrived back in junior rugby last season.

Now, the Ballina bandwagon is rolling again. Men who gave everything on the pitch for the good of the green for what seemed like a sporting liftetime, are now in the coaches box guiding their club – Mickey Murphy, Aiden McNulty and Richard Morrow are pouring experience, drive and energy into the current crop and so far it has been moving in the right direction.

Luke Sweeney is enjoying every moment. He marched alongside Murphy, McNulty and Morrow in many sporting wars across Connacht and beyond, and now, he's embracing the new challenge, the new drive to wave the green flag on the big days.

“Sunday's league semi-final with Creggs is a hugely exciting game for everyone. It's knock-out rugby and everything comes down to those 80 minutes on the pitch. The whole season rests on what happens between the white lines on Sunday and that's what we love.

“We all work towards these days and now we can hardly wait to get out on the pitch. We know how good Creggs are. Not only are they top-class opponents, they're also hurting from the fact that we've beaten them on the two occasions we've played this season – the league match and the Cawley Cup Final. They'll want to avenge those defeats and we're well aware of that,” the marauding back-row explains.

TOUGH DRAW

Creggs are the reigning league champions. They've been the stand-out team in Connacht in recent seasons and will passionately defend their crown by the Moy on Sunday.

Sweeney is happy the big game is being played in Heffernan Park, and expects a huge crowd to roar on the men in green.

“Playing at home is a massive prize for finishing top of the table at the end of the league phase. We worked very hard to get the home draw and now it's up to us to make the most of it, but Creggs finishing in fourth place was a huge surprise and they're a very tough draw.

“We're looking forward to playing in front of a big crowd. We've had great support all season and Sunday will be even bigger I think. Having big support behind us is a huge help and there's no better feeling than to have them roaring us on in Heffernan Park. I'm not sure the supporters realise what a big part they play – and we're really looking forward to having them with us on Sunday.

“Rugby is about a lot of things and I'm a firm believer that whichever team plays the conditions best will be hard beaten. We saw that in Tuam when we went there in the cup. The conditions were terrible. Tuam adapted best to the conditions and won the game. We love playing on a good surface and that's what the pitch here gives us. I think the better, fitter team will always win on a good surface.”

GOOD SHAPE

Ballina come into Sunday's game in a good place. They're unbeaten in the league and have a strong squad to pick from according to their captain.

“We've had injuries all season, but we're in really good shape for Sunday and there are men chomping at the bit to get a jersey. Mickey (Murphy), Dickie (Morrow) and Mac (Aiden McNulty) will have a very tough job selecting the squad and some men will be very disappointed. Training has been very competitive. There are so many fighting for spots. A lot of the lads are very versatile and anyone who gets selected for Sunday will have earned their jersey,” he adds before explaining how he ended up playing in the middle of the front row in Ballina's last game. Sweeney had filled the role almost a decade earlier before taking up his spot nearer the back of the pack. However, the versatility in the team saw him quickly change roles.

“It was like reeling in the years. Our hooker, Billy (McVann) picked up an injury and couldn't play and I was drafted in to try and fill the spot. It's simple – you have to do what's best for the team and thankfully, it went well I think.”

Finally, the prize for the winners of Sunday's semi-final is a place in the final in The Dexcom Stadium on Sunday, March 15. Is Sweeney and his team dreaming of a spot on the big stage.

“It's the furthest thing from our minds. We haven't even thought of playing in the Dexcom. There has been no talk of finals here. We know the challenge awaiting us on Sunday and whoever wins that can start talking about a trip to the Dexcom, but right now, it's all about getting our best performance on Sunday. Nothing else matters.”