Claire Molloy and Carol Staunton make Irish squad
An Ireland Women's squad of 25 players has been named for the forthcoming Women's RBS 6 Nations Championship. Ireland head coach Philip Doyle has included a number of seasoned internationals alongside some new faces who have emerged this season.
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Fiona Coghlan will again captain the team and she is joined in the Championship squad by the vastly experienced Lynne Cantwell.
Ulster prop Lauren Day, who missed out on the World Cup last year when she picked up a late injury, is back in the panel.
Seasoned internationals such as Orla Brennan and Joanne O'Sullivan have retired and there are some new faces coming into the squad on the back of impressive performances in the Women's All-Ireland League and Interprovincial Championship.
Experienced scrum half Tania Rosser is still recovering from the injury she picked up at the Women's World Cup, but it is hoped that she will play a part in the latter stages of the competition.
Commenting on the selection, head coach Philip Doyle said: "The dedication of the players has been excellent, both in their individual attention and motivation and as a squad.
"We recognise the potential of the squad while respecting the challenges ahead, the first of which is to start the Six Nations campaign against Italy away with a good performance.
"Being the first game of the Championship means our concentration is to be as accurate as possible throughout the game."
Ireland open their campaign against Italy in Rovigo, on Sunday February 6, and will again make Ashbourne RFC in Meath their home for the tournament.
IRELAND WOMEN'S Squad (2011 RBS 6 Nations Championship):
Gillian Bourke (Bristol/Munster)
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Lynne Cantwell (Richmond/Exile)
Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt)
Amy Davis (Blackrock/Leinster)
Lauren Day (Waterloo/Ulster)
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) *
Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster) *
Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster)
Ashling Hutchings (UL Bohemians/Munster) *
Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster) *
Mairead Kelly (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Stacey Kennedy (City of Derry/Ulster) *
Emer McManamly (Blackrock/Leinster)
Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
Larissa Muldoon (UWIC/Exile) *
Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Gill Nolan (St. Mary's/Leinster) *
Deirdre O'Brien (Blackrock/Leinster) *
Heather O'Brien (Highfield/Munster) *
Geraldine Rea (Highfield/Munster) *
Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Leinster)
Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Carol Staunton (Galwegians/Connacht)
* Denotes uncapped Player
IRELAND WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES:
Sunday, February 6: Italy Women v Ireland Women, Rovigo, 2.30pm local time/1.30pm Irish time
Friday, February 11: Ireland Women v France Women, Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm
Saturday, February 26: Scotland Women v Ireland Women, Lasswade RFC, 2pm
Sunday, March 13: Wales Women v Ireland Women, Cross Keys RFC, 2.30pm
Friday, March 18: Ireland Women v England Women, Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm |
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BUCCS BRUSH BRUFF ASIDE
RUGBY with MICHAEL SILKE
BUCCANEERS 35 BRUFF 8
A SUPERB SECOND HALF performance by Buccaneers yielded a clearcut 35-8 bonus point victory over Bruff in an exciting Ulster Bank League Division 1B encounter at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. In cold but otherwise ideal conditions, Buccs overcame a lengthy lay-off, a couple of late defections and an in-form outfit making their first visit to the Athlone stadium to maintain second position (with a game in hand) in the league table.
With Daniel Qualter not available due to his Ireland U-20 commitments and James Tormey ruled out through injursy sustained in the midweek warm-up against Ireland U-20’s, Buccaneers had only one fit second row available. Hence, an S.O.S. to Clifford Richardson to return to active service where he linked up with Padraig de Burca at lock. Shane Monahan resumed on the wing in place of Conor Lavelle, who was carrying an injury, while just prior to the game Alex Hayman slotted in in place of Aidan Wynne who had become ill. Bruff, meanwhile, fielded without inspiring hooker and captain Cathal O’Regan, who was injured in training for this Russell Brennan Keane sponsored fixture.
The midlanders’ mentors and supporters were somewhat apprehensive about this joust primarily as the Pirates had had no match since Halloween but, after a nervous start, Buccs gradually moved up the gears to record an emphatic win. In fairness, the final margin did not do justice to Bruff, who played their part in a competitive and entertaining contest between two sides with contrasting styles and who played in the right spirit of the game. Nevertheless, Buccs always looked the more likely to score, especially when moving the ball swiftly, and they were awesome in the final quarter at a stage when some felt that the match-hardened Limerick club might enjoy an edge in match fitness.
Bruff had decent spells of possession throughout, particularly in the opening quarter, yet they trailed 10-5 by the end of it. Buccs had to withstand early pressure but their tackling and commitment never wavered. They opened the scoring with an Adam Kennedy penalty earned in their first real attack. Almost immediately, Kennedy did very well to tidy up at the opposite end after both John O’Brien and Jack Carty failed to find touch and he sent Alex Hayman scampering down the left flank where he linked up with Garrett Halligan. The home captain had the composure and skill to angle a grubber ahead and win the race to touchdown for a 13th minute try which Kennedy converted.
Hayman put in try-saving tackle on Brian Cahill before Bruff’s much-vaunted pack then displayed their capabilities. Having opted to tap a penalty to touch in the right corner, they duly won possession from the lineout to maul over for a 19th minute Dermot Murnane try. Brian Cahill failed to convert and then traded penalty misses with Kennedy before Paul Harte, Boland and Harte again displayed deft handling to send O’Brien over the visitors’ line but referee Alain Rolland ruled the final pass forward. Just before half-time, Buccs ill-advisedly tried to run the ball out of their danger zone and were caught in possession, coughing up a needless penalty that Brian Cahill converted to leave the game finely balanced 10-8 at the interval.
However, Buccs came roaring out of the blocks on the restart and some smashing interplay saw Kolo Kiripati diving over the Bruff line but a touch-judge rightly signalled the final pass forward, thus sparing the World Cup final referee’s blushes! Carty dropped a smart goal and Kennedy added a penalty to put Buccs double scores ahead on 47 minutes as they continued to probe for tries but, at the hour mark, it was still a tight 16-8 advantage to the homesters. Bruff substitute Tom O’Callaghan then lost possession and a golden opportunity after getting past Carty before Harte was stopped by Eoghan Cahill tantalisingly close to the Bruff line soon afterwards when Buccs displayed that they too could pick and go effectively.
However, Buccs now turned on the style and pushed on in memorable fashion. Hayman opened the floodgates with some neat footwork on his own 22 to send Stephen Burke thundering straight as only he can and the wing forward off-loaded to Kiripati who powered in for a 61st minute try on the left. Eight minutes later, Buccs successfully defended a five-metre scrum and Kiripati charged out of his danger area and the supporting Burke again rampaged through the Bruff ranks to set up a try which O’Brien finished with aplomb. Kennedy, who was off-target with an ambitious drop goal attempt, made no mistake converting both tries and suddenly Buccs were 30-8 to the good.
Further pulsating Buccs play brought them close to the visitors’ line where they snaffled possession from a Bruff put in and Conor Higgins drove over for the bonus fourth try on 71 minutes. Typically Bruff bravely rallied in the closing moments and Buccs had both Monahan and Carty yellow-carded as their defence was stretched but not breached despite being short fullback O’Brien who was being treated for an injury.
Buccaneers backrow trio were the fulcrum of this crucial victory with Burke shading Kiripati for the ‘Athlone Springs Hotel Man of the Match’ accolade. Richardson, who had just a single training session with his teammates, was immense as the home pack stood up to everything that the Bruff pack threw at them. Monahan stood out in the backline where Harte always made ground. O’Brien was classy at fullback and Kennedy made a key contribution too in a splendid, all-round team performance. Bruff really made a game of it up to the hour mark when they seemed to run out of steam but, despite the probings of Brendan Deady, they lacked the cutting edge of the hosts.
Now roll on leaders Clontarf to Dubarry Park on Saturday!
BUCCANEERS:- J.O’Brien; C.Boland, P.Harte, A.Hayman, S.Monahan; J.Carty, A.Kennedy; M.Staunton, G.Halligan (captain), C.Higgins; C.Richardson, P. de Burca; S.Burke, C.Watters and K.Kiripati. Replacements:- A.Wynne (for Hayman, 63 mins), M.Madden (for Burke, 72 mins), Adrian Hughes (for Kiripati, 72 mins), C.Lavelle (for Monahan, 72 mins) and D.Henshaw (for Staunton, 72 mins).
BRUFF:- B.Deady; N.Riordan, B.Cahill, E.Cahill, A.Cashman; T.Cahill (captain), E.Maher; D.Horan, M.O’Donnell, G.Ryan; M.O’Connell, D.Murnane; A.Bourke, J.Shine and P.Malone. Replacements:- T.O’Callaghan (for Riordan, inj. h/t), M.Carroll (for Bourke, 53 mins) and J.Carroll (for E.Cahill, 63 mins).
REFEREE:- A.Rolland. (IRFU).
BUCCANEERS 16 HIGHFIELD 12
With three of their front players involved in the Senior squad as well as Daniel Qualter absent with Ireland U-20’s, Buccaneers U-21’s put in a mighty effort to overcome Highfield 16-12 in a very competitive South-West Conference National League encounter at Dubarry Park on Saturday.
These young Buccs were not fazed by ‘no shows’ from one of their back row forwards and also the appointed referee as they made a strong start to this second phase series in the league. Their scrum was solid early on and their lineouts were working well whilst promising breaks from midfield were spoiled only by the last pass on a number of occasions as they took this game by the scruff of the neck. Two Jarrod Bennett penalties put Buccaneers 6-0 ahead but the Cork side led 6-7 at halftime when they snaffled a soft converted try just before the break.
This took some of the steam out of Buccs endeavours for awhile and Highfield came more into the game which now lacked flow and was turning scrappy. Bennett regained the lead for the Athlone club with his third penalty but Highfield responded and their improved scrum saw them go through some phases before a prop drove over for a try to edge them ahead in the final quarter. But this Buccs outfit is made of stern stuff and they rallied but were most unfortunate when Bennett looked like tying the match only for his penalty kick to rebound wide off an upright with time running out. But the midlanders refused to wilt and Bennett stood up to the challenge with his exquisite diagonal kick giving Conal Gormley the opportunity to make a lovely break for the decisive try. Bennett added the conversion at the second attempt and Buccaneers withstood fierce Highfield pressure in the closing moments to hang on for a tight but richly deserved 16-12 victory.
The pack put in a very good showing particularly in the first half with Liam Doran standing out in the absence of David Henshaw. Enda O’Brien’s throwing was greatly improved while late call-up Brendan Fagan, although playing out of position at No. 8, put in a terrific shift. Jonathan Clarke overcame illness to have a splendid input while John Hayes as always was involved in nearly everything in the pack. Young Barry Digby continues to blossom at scrumhalf while outhalf Bennett continues to get nearer the form he is capable of in a ‘Man of the Match’ contribution.
BUCCANEERS:- K.Naughton; G.Fallon, P.Butler, C.Gormley, C.Greene; J.Bennett, B.Digby; L.Doran, E.O’Brien, T.Thompson; R.Byrne, J.Clarke; B.Stewart, J.Hayes (captain) and B.Fagan. Replacements used:- D.Higgins (for Thompson, inj.) and R.Reid (for Stewart).
BALLINA 3 BUCCANEERS 8
BUCCANEERS THIRDS came out on top after a dogged battle on the side pitch at Heffernan Park where they overcame Ballina 8-3 in their Connacht Junior League Division 2A clash on Sunday.
With no match under their belt for quite some time, Buccaneers were understandably rusty on a bitter cold afternoon when hypothermia was the greatest danger to the wingers and the Pirates did not help their cause by incurring three yellow cards to the homesters’ solitary sin-binning. However, Michael O’Regan was outstanding in a hard-working pack and Michael Donohoe generally controlled play, especially when kicking out of hand. Keith O’Neill too made effective use of the boot while Dominic Griffith was sound in the centre. Sean Byrne’s try gave the midlanders a narrow 5-3 halftime advantage with Donohoe landing the only score of the second half from a penalty to seal a narrow, hard-earned victory that keeps this Buccs squad at the right end of the league rankings.
BUCCANEERS:- K.O’Neill; R.Silke, D.Griffith, P.Byrne, A.Roche; M.Donohoe, K.Turley; B.Moore, Alan Hughes, K.Grehan; R.Byrne, T.Couper; M.O’Regan, S.Woods and S.Byrne. Replacements:- G.Glynn (for Couper), E. de Burca (for Moore) and S.Coyle (for Silke).
BUCCS HOME TO LEADERS CLONTARF
BUCCANEERS square up to leaders Clontarf in a mouth-watering top of the table Ulster Bank League Division 1B battle at Dubarry Park on Saturday, kick off 2.30 p.m. It’s incredible that the IRFU have slotted club games in direct competition to Ireland’s opening RBS Six Nations Championship match! Equally disappointing was Clontarf’s unwillingness to change kick off time in Athlone.
However, the game goes ahead as scheduled and it is a really big one for both clubs. Clontarf are the only side to defeat Buccs to date when they prevailed 25-15 in a tough, exciting encounter at Castle Avenue. After Tarf had got an early grip on proceedings, Buccs rallied strongly to take the lead in the third quarter but the Dubliners fought back to take the spoils, although the midlanders should at least have earned a losing bonus point after a sometimes tempestuous affair. A very late tackle on Jarrod Bennett that left the highly promising Buccs stand-off out cold and concussed left a sour aftermath to a fairly competitive contest. Young Bennett has yet to regain the form he was showing at that stage of the season and indeed has not regained his berth on the team such was the effect of this incident on him.
Clontarf have a hardness that must be matched by Buccaneers. Forwards Niall Treston, Aaron Dundon and Ben Gissing typify their style but they have a hugely exciting flanker in Barry O’Mahoney. Simon Crawford and Ross McAuley also offer a physical presence in their pack but they have some decent exciting players in their backline. Centre Evan Ryan, outhalf Noel Reid and either Paul O’Donohue or Sam Cronin at scrumhalf have bags of talent while fullback Darragh O’Shea has poise and composure.
However, Buccs showed that they have the dynamism and pace that can make life difficult for the northsiders and if the Pirates pack produce the collective goods on Saturday, then fans should be in for a compelling encounter. Kolo Kiripati, Stephen Burke and Colin Watters were in vintage form last weekend and this is the type of game that last week’s man of the match Burke revels in. Garrett Halligan can lead in the front row where Conor Higgins and Martin Staunton are coming on in leaps and bounds. A fit Dylan Rogers will be a decided option here if introduced. Clifford Richardson has the ideal presence for games such as this while Padraig de Burca’s mobility can be crucial in the forwards battle. In the backline, Shane Monahan, Aidan Wynne, John O’Brien and Paul Harte have what it takes to make telling breaks while rookie halfbacks Adam Kennedy and Jack Carty have displayed steady nerves in the heat of battle to date. Alex Hayman too could thrive in the cauldron that Dubarry Park is likely to be on Saturday. Add Brian Touhy and Conor Lavelle to the mix and Buccs have the backs to match the best at this level.
Composure, workrate, discipline and cohesive support play will be the vital ingredients for this joust. It should be an absolute cracker between the top two consistent teams in Division 1B and it is worthy of a big attendance despite the counter-attraction of TV rugby. So let’s see hordes of Pirates making their presence felt in support of Buccaneers in what could be the pivotal match of the season.
Other Fixtures
BUCCANEERS U-21’s make the long trip to the Mardyke in Cork where they face U.C.C. in the next round of the South-West Conference of the National League. These young Buccs made a promising start when defeating Highfield and, hopefully, they will have a couple of “returnees” to bolster their ambitions on Saturday, kick off 2.30 p.m.
The Development Squad have been favoured with home advantage in the opening round of the Heineken Connacht Junior Cup campaign when they tackle old rivals Galwegians at Dubarry Park on Sunday, kick off 3 p.m. This Buccs outfit have been going very well in the league but, of course, Cup rugby is a different kettle of fish so the midlanders will need to maintain focus and application if they are to progress to the next round.
The Thirds continue their Connacht Junior League Division 2A campaign with a home fixture against Sligo, scheduled for Dubarry Park on Sunday, kick off 3 p.m. Buccs can win this game too but they will need to improve their discipline from last week! However, we’ll put that down to “ring rustiness” and anticipate that they will come up with the desired response.
IRELAND U-20’s match in Athlone next week
Through the generous support of ESB ELECTRIC IRELAND, IRELAND’S U-20 Six Nations Championship home matches are being staged again at Dubarry Park, beginning with the visit of France to Athlone on Friday week, February 11th. Tickets are now on sale at The Bounty for both this game and the match against England on St. Patrick’s weekend. Tickets can also be purchased at Musicworld, Golden Island Shopping Centre. Pre-match tables for both matches can be booked by contacting our Administrator Geraldine at 0861732711. Table for eight persons costs just €400 or special price of €750 if booking for both games. This subscription covers 3-course meal with complimentary wine, reserved seat in the Stand, and a pass to the Lower Deck Bar for you and your guests post match. It is a terrific night out for business or social entertaining, and bookings are welcome from groups of friends if they wish to make up a table.
GOOD LUCK
Good Luck to Daniel Qualter and the Ireland U-20 squad who kick off the defence of their Six Nations title away to Italy on Friday. Best wishes too to Sean Cronin and (for the first time) Michael McCarthy, who are both in the Ireland Senior panel, and also to Keith Matthews who is in the Ireland A squad.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congrats to Joe & Audrey Cleary on the arrival of their third son. Best wishes too to club trustee Dick Quirke and his wife Doreen who celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary this week.
CONDOLENCES
Deepest sympathy is extended to Tony Kilmartin and family on the recent death of his brother Noel.
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ESB to energise Under-20’s Rugby Six Nations Home Series
with Sponsorship Renewal Deal
ESB today announced a three year renewal of its sponsorship of the Under-20’s Rugby Six Nations Championship home series. ESB will once more join Dubarry Park in staging the home fixtures in the Buccaneers club grounds in Athlone for a three year period from 2011 -2013 inclusive.
2011 marks the sixth successive season that Buccaneers and ESB have staged these prestigious matches at Dubarry Park, Athlone.
Speaking at the announcement, ESB Electric Ireland, Commercial Manager, Ken McKervey stated “ESB has enjoyed an excellent partnership with Buccaneers RFC and the IRFU for the past five years in supporting them in showcasing the best of Ireland Under-20’s Rugby at Dubarry Park Athlone. The decision to renew this sponsorship for a further three years was easy considering the success we have enjoyed to date through the growing interest in Under-20’s rugby as evidenced with the impressive audience figures RTE’s live broadcasts of the games have generated over the past few years. This, combined with the experience of working with Buccaneers and the growing attendance figures at the home games makes this sponsorship an obvious choice for us, particularly in the competitive energy market of today”.
Welcoming the renewal of the sponsorship, Buccaneers RFC President Pat Hynes gratefully acknowledged “ESB’s on-going unstinting support of these prestigious international fixtures that
enabled topclass rugby come to the heartland of the country. Without ESB’s tangible patronage, Buccaneers simply could not host these hugely popular matches.”
Ireland will play two home matches against the two traditional big rugby powers at the home of Buccaneers RFC., kicking off their campaign against France on Friday, February 11th followed by a meeting with England on Friday, March 18th with both games being shown live on RTE2 TV.
Ireland will be coached this year by Mike Ruddock, who guided Wales to a senior Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005, whilst Michael Kearney is again team Manager. Ruddock’s son Rhys last year captained the Irish U-20s to winning the Six Nations Championship and has since gone on to play for Leinster and the Ireland Senior team alongside former U-20 stars Jonathan Sexton, Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy; evidence of young talent emerging from the U-20s set up.
From March 2011 onwards, the sponsorship will be branded ESB Electric Ireland when the new logo and identity for the recently announced name change for ESB’s Customer Supply and Independent Energy businesses will be rolled out.
Ireland Under-20’s Rugby Six Nations Home Series fixtures:-
Fri 11th Feb 19:45 Ireland U20s v France U-20s Dubarry Park
Fri 18th Mar 19:45 Ireland U20s v England U-20s Dubarry Park
Both matches will be shown live on RTE2 TV
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Connacht U14 North League
Westport 31 Creggs 27
This was a very exciting and competitive game played in dry, cool conditions in Carrowholly, Westport, last Sunday. Creggs started strongly with strong tackling by Simon Spain and Rory O’Donoghue allowing Creggs to get a foothold in the Westport half. Creggs won a lineout in the Westport 22 with the help of Brian Collins, Thomas Beattie and Matthew Butt and quick hands led to a ruck set up by Brian Diffley. The ball was moved at speed by scrum half Kevin Gavin to wing Diarmuid McDermott who popped it to full back Cormac Shanagher who crashed over for the opening try. Shane Dowd failed to convert. Westport quickly got their act together and a good try from their centre Aidan Costigan levelled the scores. Creggs regained possession and good linking between forwards and backs especially James Walker, Andrew Clarke, Connor Gore and Robbie Daly led to James Walker crossing the line for Creggs’ second try. The conversion was missed and a few minutes later Westport were level again with a try of their own. Westport kept up the pressure looking for the lead score, but a fantastic series of tackles by Connor Gore led to a turnover of possession and the ball was moved quickly to man of the match Donal Kelly, who left a trail of would-be tacklers in his wake from inside his own half to score a memorable try. Westport replied with a try of their own leaving the score at 15 points all at half-time. The second half was equally exciting with Tomas Clayton, Dylan Ward, John Keegan and Jamie Granahan leading the way. Pressure from Creggs with good driving by Brian Diffley off the base of the scrum supported by ever-present Brian Collins and Michael Kelly led to the ball being transferred across the backline to quicksilver winger Donal Kelly who crossed for his second try. A few minutes later some good neat passing by scrumhalf Brian Garvey supported by winger Michael Farrell gave Shane Dowd a bit of space and he scored at the corner flag. Kevin Gavin converted this from the touchline, leaving the final score Creggs 27 Westport 31.
Further Creggs pressure led to a final opportunity to win the game but the pass was misdirected and the chance was gone. Creggs will be pleased with this performance with the first round of the Cup taking place against the same opposition away in Westport in two weeks time. Creggs train next Wednesday at 7 pm and play Buccaneers next Friday night at 7.30 pm.
Creggs: Simon Spain, Rory O’Donoghue, Matthew Butt, Andrew Clarke, Thomas Beattie, Brian Collins, Brian Diffley, James Walker, Kevin Gavin, Shane Dowd, Connor Gore, Robbie Daly, Diarmuid McDermott, Donal Kelly, Cormac Shanagher, John Keegan, Michael Regan, Stephen Joyce, Jamie Granahan, Dylan Ward, Michael Kelly, Tomas Clayton, Michael Farrell, Brian Garvey.
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6 Good Reasons To Watch Ballina v Sligo in Heffernan Park Next Sunday
1) Both teams are in excellent form. Ballina have only lost one match in the league to the mighty Monivea and Sligo are unbeaten.
2) It has the makings of a great rugby spectacle. Both teams play an attractive brand of running rugby looking to use the width of the pitch.
3) There will be tries. Both Sligo and Ballina have the creativity, ability and intention to score tries. Neither of these sides has failed to score trys in any of their previous matches.
4) It could well go to final phase of play before the final whistle. Both teams will play to the very end and have previously won matches in the last minutes of the game (ask OLBC or Monivea!)
5) The Head to Head match ups. Whether it’s Murphy and Brown versus Pearson and Butler in the half backs, Rowe versus Spring in the back row or O’Neill versus Fafita in the centre to name just a few that come to mind, all over the park there will be quality players clashing.
6) It’s one of the great derby matches of Connacht Rugby. It not all about Galwegians and Corinthians, the rivalry between these clubs goes back to their foundation. It’s not just the players who know each other so well, on the sidelines many will be renewing old acquaintances, old rivalry and the banter between the supporters will be as uncompromising as the tackles on the pitch. In what is sure to be a packed clubhouse afterwards Gerry O’Donnell from Ballina and Joe Coulter from Sligo will be able to tell you where it all went right and all went wrong, where it was won and where it was lost, how the match should have been refereed, and how it wasn’t like that in their day! Guaranteed entertainment on and off the field, 2.30 K.O.
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Connacht Junior League Div 1A
BALLINA 52
CORRIB 7
(In Heffernan Park, Ballina)
Ballina overwhelmed Corrib in a one sided game in which the result was never in doubt last Sunday. Playing in front of their home supporters for the first time this year (the first time since last November in fact) they gave their faithful followers plenty to cheer about in a game totally dominated by the Mayo side. Ballina scored a total of eight trys during the game, including a hat trick for Chris O’Neill, a brace for his Centre partner David Newman, a try each for Ciaran Melvin and Paul Newell who were both playing at Loose Head Prop when they scored and substitute Winger Cian Mullarkey (who also packed down as a Flanker in two scrums in what was an eventful game for him) had the final say with an excellent finish to score under the posts.
Ballina kicked off and had Corrib under pressure immediately. The home side’s pack attacked the Headford men’s set piece from the start, and the visitor’s set piece consequently struggled throughout the game. Their scrum was retreating allowing the tenacious Ballina Scrum Half and Captain Michael Murphy latitude to make life very difficult for his opposite number Charlie O’Sullivan. In the lineout William O’Connor and Phillip Timoney lead the attack forcing numerous turnovers for Ballina, who were flawless on their own throw in for the entire game. With the tide of possession flowing their way it was not long before Ballina opened the scoring. They had a scrum inside the Corrib twenty two from which No 8 Aidan McNulty picked the ball and drove at the heart of the Headford side’s defence. The ball was recycled quickly and when Out Half Cory Brown passed the ball out Centre David Newman wrong footed the scrambling cover defence, stepped inside and accelerated through the gap to race over the line for a well taken try. Cory Brown added the conversion giving his side a 7-0 lead.
Within five minutes Ballina scored again, and once again it was David Newman who crossed the line. A turnover of possession from a ruck inside their own half gave them the opportunity to run back at Corrib. Cory Brown put in a perfectly judged kick behind Corrib’s backline. Corrib’s Full Back Jimmy Gavin was unable to deal with the kick and the pressure of Ballina’s centres, the ball bounced fortuitously for the on-rushing Newman who raced over and touched down under the posts. Cory Brown added the conversion, so Ballina lead 14-0.
Ballina never eased up and there were good performances from every player on the field. Full Back Kevin McCarron showed good pace, Winger Francis Conroy was eager for work and a skilful instigator of much of his side’s counter attacking play. Second Row Connor Forde was playing like an extra Wing Forward and often the link man between the forwards and backs keeping the ball alive. The back row of Phillip Timoney, Phillip Rowe and Aidan McNulty were in marauding form, uncompromising in their defence, and effective carrying the ball in attack. Up front Tom Tolan worked very hard and very effectively in the tight, but his ball carrying was exceptional as time after time he powered forward with several Corrib players haplessly trying to ground the Ballina Tight Head. When quickly recycled ruck ball followed there was a lot of space for Ballina’s backline to exploit. Ballina’s next try came from a scrum in the Corrib half. The ball was moved wide quickly through the backline, set up and carried forward again by Tolan. Quickly the ball was put back through the hands again, passed behind a dummy runner creating an overlap which allowed David Newman pass out to Loose Head Prop Ciaran Melvin who raced over for a well taken score. The difficult conversion wasn’t added so the score was now 19-0 in Ballina’s favour.  Five minutes later Ballina added the try which secured them the bonus point. Corrib tried to kick deep into the Ballina half but the ball was gathered by Winger Niall O’Malley who ran it back skilfully evading the Galway men who tried to close him down. O’Malley linked up with Connor Forde who did well to control the ball and put in an unorthodox diving pass out to his Captain Michael Murphy. Murphy drew the cover and put away Centre Chris O’Neill who made a powerful run down the touchline before racing in under the posts to score his first try. Cory Brown added the conversion giving Ballina a 26-0 lead at half time. It could perhaps have been more. Phillip Timoney made a terrific run from his own twenty two before linking up with Niall O’Malley, who in turn unluckily failed to offload to the hard running Phillip Rowe. Had the pass gone to hand Rowe would have been hard to stop.
In the second half the spirited Corrib side refused to give up and fifteen minutes had passed before Ballina were able to break through for another score. Kieran Rouse came on at Full Back and was very sure fielding and linking up with his teammates. He proved to be an equally elusive runner and added to Corrib’s difficulties when Ballina’s back three ran back at them. The score came again from good counter attacking play from a kick deep into Ballina’s half by Corrib. Francis Conroy gathered and combined sublimely with David Newman to get away from Corrib’s chasing players. The young Ballina Winger showed excellent foot work and no little skill to evade tackles and put away Centre Chris O’Neill who raced away for his second try. The conversion was missed but within four minutes Ballina had scored again. Immediately they were back in Corrib’s twenty two and began to build the phases producing quick ball, passing well and running hard. The visitors were defending manfully but visibly wilting under the pressure. From quick ruck ball the ball was passed to substitute Paul Newell who was now playing at Loose Head Prop forward. He ran a great line at the fading defenders and cut right through to cross the line almost untouched for a good try. Cory Brown’s conversion brought the score to 38-0.
It is to Corrib’s credit that they refused to capitulate. They were not without skilful players themselves and more than once Tom Lee and Charlie O’Sullivan displayed great footwork to side step and accelerate past Ballina’s attempted tackles. Ballina had all their subs on and perhaps this temporarily upset the balance of the side as they conceded a series of penalties which allowed the Galway men into their half, but it would be churlish to take away from the spirit and endeavour of Corrib who brought play right up to Ballina’s line before Scrum Half Charlie O’Sullivan stepped inside his tackler and scored a very good try. O’Sullivan added the conversion himself putting 7 points on the board for his side.
When influential Flanker Phillip Rowe picked up a knock Ballina chose to rest him for the rest of the match and finish with 14 players on the field as they had used all their substitutions. They went on to score two more tries, the first was followed a series of scrums close to Corrib’s line from which No 8 Aidan McNulty was unlucky not to score and during which substitute Winger Cian Mullarkey had the dubious pleasure of packing down as a Flanker in place of the absent Rowe. He was no doubt grateful that replacement Second Rows Mark Healy and Kieran Bourke who were now in the engine room of Ballina’s scrum added powerfully to an already dominant scrum during this period. When the ball was eventually passed wide through the hands Chris O’Neill cut right through the tiring defence to score his third try on the day. Cory Brown added the conversion but Ballina weren’t finished yet. Again Corrib were undone by an attempt to clear the ball which was run back at them. Cory Brown combined with Cian Mullarkey and the versatile Winger cheekily wrong footed Corrib’s last covering tackler to step inside and score under the posts. Cory Browns’s conversion was followed by the final whistle giving Ballina a comprehensive 52-7 victory.
The most satisfying aspect of the win was the uniformity of the standard of performance by Ballina all over the park. Ballina host unbeaten league leaders and long time great rivals Sligo next Sunday in what will be their sternest test yet. It promises to be an excellent game and both sides will have ample and vocal support on the day. Sligo have all but secured the league after beating Monivea in Strandhill and will be favourites to beat the Mayo men. Ballina will have to raise their game, but have only endured one defeat in the league themselves. They are a good side with excellent players and capable of an upset. It promises to be an epic encounter next Sunday at 2.30 pm in Heffernan Park, Ballina.
BALLINA: Ciaran Melvin, Liam Lynch, Tom Tolan, Connor Forde, William O’Connor, Phillip Timoney, Phillip Rowe, Aidan McNulty, Michael Murphy (C), Cory Brown, Niall O’Malley, Chris O’Neill, David Newman, Francis Conroy, Kevin McCarron, Paul Newell, Mark Healy, Kieran Bourke, Kieran Rouse, Cian Mullarkey.
CORRIB; John Gannon, Brian O’Connor, Connor Moylin, Brian Lee, Cathal Cawley, Nick Molloy, Dave O’Connor, Martin Lee, Charles O’Sullivan, Tom Lee, Ronan Casey, Dara Connor, Killian Bane, Hubert Gleaven, Jimmy Gavin.
REFFEREE: Daithi Flood
Picture (C) Corraine Beattie Photography |
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