Memorable victory for Mayo rugby club

Ballina defeated Creggs 24-17 to win the Cawley Cup at a wet and windy Crowley Park in Galway.

The Mayo men were facing into the elements during the first half but two tries from Billy McVann supplemented by conversions by Cian Anderson and Conor Connolly helped garner a 14-7 lead for the Moysiders after 22 minutes.

Neither side could add any further scores during the first half and Creggs trailed by seven points during the half-time discussions.

The chasers suffered a setback four minutes into the second half when Thomas O’Brien picked up a yellow card and was sin-binned.

Both sides struggled in the atrocious weather conditions during the second period. Nonetheless, Ballina took a big step towards victory when Daniel Molloy crossed the whitewash, with Connolly’s conversion establishing a commanding 24-7 lead.

A doughty Creggs kept plugging away and they set up a grandstand finish when the raiding Michael Dunne plundered a late try.

However, Ballina held on to record a memorable victory. They were the team singing in the rain after the full-time whistle.