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Ballina 1st XV finished off their 09-10 league campaign with victory over local rivals Westport 20 points to 13. Next up is the Cawley Cup away to Gort Rfc on the 28th of March.

Pictures by Corinne Beattie

Sundays Results: Castlebar 17, Ballinrobe 12; Tuam 21, OLBC 8; Monivea 32, Sligo 21; Galwegians 12, Buccaneers 12; Ballina 20, Westport 13.

Final League Table 09-10

League winners: Monivea

All Ireland Junior Cup Qualifiers: Monivea, Sligo, Ballina, Corrib

Relegation Play off: Ballinrobe or OLBC

Relegated: Buccaneers

Ballina RFC, Girls U15 Blitz

It was a festival of rugby at a cold and icy Ballina rugby club recently as the very first girls U15 rugby blitz took place at Heffernan park, on the banks of the River Moy. The host club, having only started girls rugby this season, fielded two teams, while Westport, Buccaneers and Virginia from county Cavan also competed. The event was organised by the very hard working team of Deirdre Whyte, Jacinta Kearney and Ann Carroll from Ballina RFC, with the help of Wendy Hickey and Lyndon Jones from the Connacht branch. A great crowd of cold but enthusiastic supporters gathered pitch side for what turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining afternoons rugby, as all teams showed a great appetite and understanding of the game.

Proceeding’s got under way with Ballina (1) and Westport locking horns in a game that went down right down to the wire, while Ballina (2) entertained the girls from Bucanneers on the second pitch. All the girls gave it their all, with some excellent tackling, rucking and silken running that produced some excellent tries. Virginia, having travelled for 3 hours to the event entered the fray for the second phase of games. Heads soon turned, as the Cavan girls, resplendent in pink jerseys and having the experience of regularly playing in a competitive Ulster league, displayed a wealth of rugby talent and proceeded to be the dominant team on display. As matches continued through out the afternoon in the arctic conditions, legs and limbs were starting to wilt for players and spectators alike and the comfort of the clubhouse was a welcome retreat for all.

The Kitchen staff who worked their fingers to the bone, had the hot soup and sandwich`s ready for all, before the presentations. Special guests Dara Calleary and Dermot Mannion, stepped in for the unavoidably absent Jedward, and the girls from all teams were presented with medals. It was acknowledged by Wendy Hickey, that Ballina RFC is making a massive contribution to grassroots rugby in Connacht, with over thirty girls regularly turning up for training. It is anticipated that more games will be organised within the province as the game grows in popularity. Deirdre Whyte stated that she was astounded by the level of interest shown by the girls from the start of the season, and their numbers continue to grow.

Photos to follow…

Photo: by Corrine Beattie
By Clive Moore

BALLIINA 17 CORINTHIANS 15
BALLINA bounced back from their cup defeat to record an impressive league win over a strong Corinthians side.

It was a game of enormous psychological significance for the home side as last year they lost by very narrow margins to Corinthians in both cup and league, and they needed to put that right.

The home side started brightly enough, but lost their way with a series of unforced individual errors. This loose play resulted in an early try concession.

Ballina’s lineout 10 meters from their own line went awry and Corinthian’s flanker Mark Byrne caught the ball at the back and ran in for a try which by any standard was conceded far too easily. Out-half Barry O’Sullivan added the conversion and Ballina’s troubles had begun. Read the rest of this entry »