Castlebar Rugby Club claim the league points in Mayo derby

Castlebar’s senior men’s team were looking to bounce back from a round one Junior One (B) League defeat to Ballyhaunis when the west Mayo side hosted Ballinrobe for a Halloween night, round two showdown.

Both teams traded attacks in the game’s early stages as each tried to find a gap in their opponent’s lineup.

Castlebar opened the scoring with two penalties from the reliable boot of Seán O’Grady.

The young home side were growing in stature and played some lovely running rugby which resulted in two well-taken tries scored by their rapid centre, Matthew Flannelly. Flannelly’s brace of tries helped give Castlebar a commanding 18-0 half-time advantage.

The second half did not get much better for Ballinrobe, with a converted try from Seán O’Grady leaving the south Mayo team 25 points adrift.

A bonus point win was guaranteed for Castlebar when their out-half Orann Bourke touched down. O’Grady again added the conversion points.

A comeback from the visitors became less likely when referee David Andreu issued a red card to Ballinrobe full-back Killian McHugh for a second yellow offence. Castlebar substitute Cathal Fahey then made it a convincing win for his side when he scored a late try to register a 37-0 victory for the hosts.

Next weekend Castlebar will face Sligo Seconds away in round three, while Ballinrobe will hope to get their first points on the league table when they welcome University of Galway to The Green.

A minute’s silence in honour of Castlebar’s past captain and president Donagh Barry was respectfully observed prior to kick-off at Cloondeash.