Galwegians win despite spate of sin-binnings

Galwegians 25 Ballymena 18

Galwegians had their mettle severely tested at Crowley Park today as they had to overcome four second half sin-binnings to beat Ballymena for the first time ever in the AIB League.

’Wegians edged this Crowley Park cracker thanks to tries in each half from openside flanker Ivan Muldoon, the brother of Connacht’s John.

Scrum half David Drake and replacement hooker Michael Harshaw both touched down for Ballymena, who were losing to the westerners for the first time in 10 league meetings.

’Wegians had three players sin-binned in quick succession and Brian McClernan was also carded late on.

Sligo youngster Peter Durcan, another Connacht player available to Paul Young’s side, landed an early penalty before Ballymena’s Drake scampered through for a well-taken try.

’Wegians pack then got up a head of steam and drove their Connacht-capped prop Brian McGovern over for a try close to the posts. Durcan converted and tagged on a penalty as ’Wegians ended the first quarter with a 10-5 lead.

Muldoon’s first try arrived as he shrugged off two tacklers to score out wide and the opening half’s scoring was completed by a lengthy penalty hit from Ballymena’s new out-half Raw.

In front by 15-8 at the break, the hosts went further ahead through the boot of the 21-year-old Durcan before disaster looked to have struck.

Referee Alan Rogan banished the two ’Wegians props to the sin bin, while former Ireland international Tom Tierney was also sent to the sideline in a comical three-minute spell.

Down to 12 men for a time, ’Wegians leaked a 67th-minute try to the Braidmen’s replacement hooker Harshaw, but the uncontested scrums allowed the ’Wegians eight something of a breather and they roared back to help Muldoon over for a seven-pointer in the 75th-minute.

There was still time for a Raw penalty in injury-time, which handed Ballymena a losing bonus point, and McClernan’s yellow card saw ’Wegians end the game down to 14 men but in the aftermath they deservedly lifted the Des Dempsey Cup - the trophy which the two sides play for when they meet - for the first time in 22 years.

Scorers:

Galwegians: Tries: Brian McGovern, Ivan Muldoon 2; Cons: Peter Durcan 2; Pens: Peter Durcan 2

Ballymena: Tries: David Drake, Michael Harshaw; Con: Donovan Raw; Pens: Donovan Raw 2