All roads lead to Crowley Park in the opening game of the relegation playoff between Ballina and Galwegians. 

In an unusually bright and warm afternoon the hosts opened the scoring from a Morgan Codyre penalty. A strong Ballina suit saw them work their way through Galwegians defence into Galwegians 22. Diarmuid Kilgallen intercepted and with great pace ran the length of the pitch scoring the first try of the game under the posts.  

This was followed five minutes later by a Rory Gaffney try under the posts again. Galwegians lead 15-0. 

Seven minutes later, Finn Wright marked his name on the scorecard with a hard fought try under the posts. Codyre converts this one and Galwegians lead 22-0. 

After 27 minutes, Ballina opened their scoring with a fantastic try in the left corner from their winger Liam Golden. That conversion was just short, that pesky Galway wind proving a nuisance for kickers. 

Despite the scoreboard Ballina were showing their strength upfront, amounting huge pressure on Galwegians defence. After 35 minutes Ballina proved they weren’t going down without a fight, their attack still piling pressure on Galwegians defence. 38 minutes saw a stoppage in play for an off the ball incident which landed Galwegians with a penalty. 

Half time saw a score of 22-5 to Galwegians. The lads happy with the break from an intense last quarter of the first half. Ballina yet to see the fruits of their labour, they were still well and truly in this game. 

Ballina opened the second half with a fantastic effort from their hooker Billy McVann. He blazes up the field after a well read intercept. This try was converted. Galwegians responded a minute later with a try from their centre Rob Deacy in the corner putting the score at 27-12. 10 Minutes later, the score remains the same after a number of lineouts and scrums for both sides. Inevitably slowing an exhilarating game down.  

Ballina really showed their strength putting a gruelling and intense amount of pressure on Galwegians defence again. This pressure got the better of Galwegians prop Finn Wright and saw him get sent to the bin after 58 minutes. 

Ballina capitalised on this ill-discipline by responding with a well fought try and saw Ballina’s number 8 Dan Molloy cross the whitewash. This try was converted and resulted in a narrow lead by Galwegians, the scoreboard now lying at 27-19. 

Both sides started to show fatigue with several throwaway penalties. The score remained at 27-19, in favour of Galwegians. A bout of exciting and skilful play see’s Galwegians work through Ballina’s defence.

Eventually another break from Galwegians centre Deacy with a fantastic offload to Rory Gaffney, leading to Galwegians finishing the game on a high as Gaffney crossed the line for another try under the posts. The conversion from Codyre ended the game on a score of 34-19 to Galwegians. 

Not to be written off, Ballina will undoubtedly put it to Galwegians next weekend in Heffernan Park.