Mayo rugby club win Curley Cup
BALLYHAUNIS made it back-to-back Curley Cup titles as they defeated University of Galway 43-14 last Sunday in Tooraree.
In a repeat of last year’s final, Ballyhaunis were wary of the threat that University of Galway posed, as the students had defeated Castlebar in a previous round.
Ballyhaunis made a whirlwind start to the contest in front of a large home attendance and Michael Jordan crossed the whitewash after just five minutes of frenetic action.
Ballyhaunis then extended their lead courtesy of a Rowan Gouws try, which was buttressed by Scott Finlay’s conversion.
University of Galway bounced back and acquired a try of their own after 28 minutes, but that joy was short-lived as Fintan Crawley plundered another touchdown for the purple and gold.
Ballyhaunis’ front eight continued to work exceptionally hard and towards the end of the half Crawley added his second try of the tie, with Jack Deegan’s impeccably taken conversion ensuring a 24-7 lead for the hosts during the half-time musings.
Ballyhaunis then blitzed their opponents during the opening minutes of the second half, with two quick-fire tries from the dynamic duo of Jason Morley and Clayton Nolan effectively ending the game as a contest.
The purple and gold continued to search for further scores and one of the moves of the game culminated in a try for Ballyhaunis replacement Danny Hill after he latched onto a peach of a cross-field delivery. Deegan was once again ice cool from the conversion and the hosts now led 43-7.
To their credit, University of Galway refused to wilt, and they added a late converted try to put a slightly better reflection on the full-time score-line.
The players to impress for Ballyhaunis on the day were Jason Morley, James Frayne, and William Cunnane.
Ballyhaunis will hope to continue their winning streak when they begin the Connacht Rugby Junior One (B) campaign next Sunday afternoon away to Castlebar, at Cloondeash. This eagerly awaited Mayo derby is set to kick-off at 2.30 p.m. Castlebar also enter this opening league fixture in a confident frame of mind having defeated Monivea 43-34 in last Sunday’s Curley Plate Final. An intriguing contest is in store.