Two Mayo sides impress as new rugby season slots into gear

by Patrick Hennelly

BALLYHAUNIS maintained their impressive start to the new season by defeating University of Galway 32-14 in round two of the Curley Cup.

Ballyhaunis had home advantage for this fixture and the opening 20 minutes of this clash was a real end-to-end stuff, with both sides having plenty of possession.

However, the east Mayo men made the vital breakthrough on 25 minutes when Pat Egan crossed the whitewash.

A youthful University of Galway regrouped impressively and their supporters were delighted to see the Dangan-based outfit score a converted try, which shunted the guests into a 7-5 lead.

The game was a real free-flowing and entertaining contest, and Ballyhaunis regained the lead when some superb build-up play culminated in a try for the poaching William Cunnane. Scott Finlay was accurate from the subsequent conversion and the hosts led 12-7, which was also the half-time score.

Incidentally, after Ballyhaunis’ second try, University of Galway were reduced to 14 men after one of their players was sin-binned.

A positive start to the new half was imperative for the students and they were unlucky to see a try overruled by the referee.

Scott Finlay added a penalty for the hosts but the Galway outfit responded impressively, garnering a converted try, thus reducing the arrears to the bare minimum (14-15).

However, an experienced Ballyhaunis began to win some vital possession and this led to a fine touchdown by Jason Morley.

For the second time in the joust, University of Galway received another yellow card and sin-bin, which proved to be a setback to their comeback hopes.

Ballyhaunis upped the tempo and added a fourth try of the afternoon courtesy of the industrious Jack Deegan.

Towards the end of the game, the hosts put the icing on the cake when Scott Finlay pinched possession and gleefully crossed the whitewash. Finlay subsequently added the conversion to help round off an impressive display by the locals.

The players to impress for Ballyhaunis on the day were William Cunnane, James Doyle, Jason Morley and Rowan Gouws.

Ballyhaunis return to Curley Cup action next Saturday night when they travel to Headford to face an in-form Corrib. Corrib enter this game on the back of a 30-21 Curley Cup derby victory over Ballinrobe last Saturday.

In Pool C of the Curley Cup, Ballina 2nd XV were defeated 29-12 by Corinthians 3rd XV on Sunday afternoon at Heffernan Park.

However, in the Cawley Cup, Ballina recorded a marvellous 29-17 victory at home to Tuam on Saturday night. Ballina scored an early try courtesy of Conor Boyle, with Ben Matheson adding the two-pointer.

Ballina continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession and Blayze Molloy pounced for another try, with Matheson again coolness personified from the conversion, which garnered a 14-0 interval lead for the north Mayo men.

Tuam began the second period in a sprightly fashion and whittled the hosts lead down to four points (14-10).

But Ballina regrouped, with Michael Collins adding a badly needed try before Conor Connolly guided over the conversion.

Tuam continued to battle for every inch of possession but a try from Paul Brennan and a penalty by Conor Connolly helped secure the victory for the Heffernan Park outfit.

Ballina will now face Dunmore in the Cawley Cup semi-final next weekend at Heffernan Park. Dunmore defeated Monivea away from home in their Cawley Cup quarterfinal on a 26-10 score-line.