1st Feb
Balbriggan 11 Cill Dara 6
Balbriggan progressed to the second round of the Towns Seconds Cup with a hard fought win against a strong Cill Dara team on Sunday. In a game played in bitterly cold conditions it could have gone either way right to the last whistle.
The game statred at a fast pace with both sides looking to run the ball and test each others defences, however defences were holding solid with both three quarter lines being solid in the tackle. In an early ruck Balbriggan were unfortunate to loose both No 8, Declan Quinn and prop Sean O'Hare to injuries. With the other regular prop, Paddy Joyce on injured list it meant Blabriggan had to face the whole match with a makeshift front row. Tony Healt replacing O'Hare and Conor Caldwell having moved from second row. Both put in stellar performances and will put pressure on the regulars to get their places back. Damien Smith replaced Quinn and put in a man of the match performace tackling everything that came at him and taking the ball forward at every opporunity.
Cill Dara opened the scoring with a penalty following some Balbriggan indiscipline and then added a second when some Balbriggan back chat brought them within range for another kickable penalty. While Cill Dara now held a six point lead the Balbriggan defence continured to hold strong and did not look as if it were going to be breached. Jay Mullen playing his first game since October when he suffered a major injury was immense in the tackle and also caused Cill Dara problems with his strong running. Balbriggan were running off fast ball and causing Cill Dara problems but would loose the ball and Cill Dara would use the wind to put the ball back in the Balbriggan 22. However one moment of magic from Conor Casey saw him slip a tackle on the 22 and run in to score the games only try. 6-5 at half time and all to play for inthe second half.
The second half continued much the way of the first with both teams looking for openings. The Balbriggan pack were aborbing the Cill Dara attacks and the second rows Paul Quinn and Dean Moore were outstanding. Continued pressure from the Balbriggan side told and two penalties in quick succession by Gary Hoban gave Balbriggan the lead. Cill Dara were not done and attacked the Balbriggan line with vigour however the Balbriggan defence remained solid and they held out for a narrow victory.
On Sunday morning Balbriggan lost one of it stalwarts, former Club President John Dempsey passed away peacefully. John had been Club President for many years and the Club had used his premises in Dublin St, John D's as their base. John was a great supporter of the Club and enjoyed mothing more than getting out to a game. A minute's silence was held before the kick off at the game and also at the Skerries Porlaoise game which was also played in Balrothery and where John's grand nephew lined out for Skerries. Our deepest sympathies to his family
Jan 18
Balbriggan 3 Railway Union 11
Balbriggan fought the elements and lost at the weekend. With a gale force wind blowing down the pitch Balbriggan played with the wind but didn't make use of nature's forces. In fact it was Railway who opened the scoring with an attacking move that exposed a gap in the Balbriggan defence and two missed tackles let them in for the first score. While Balbriggan spent much of the time in the Railway half the Railway defence absorbed everything that was thrown at it. Balbriggan had two penalties within kicking range but opted to run them when taking the points would have been the better option. Sense prevailed with the third and the deficit was reduced to 5-3 at half time. Just before halftime Balbriggan lost out half Con Casey to a back strain, this was a serious blow and led to a rearrangement of the back line which was further compounded at the start of the second half when wing Stu Mullen joined the injured ranks. Dec Quinn made his adult Balbriggan debut after leaving the Club as a youths many years ago. The former Clontarf back row player slotted into the back row with younger brother Paul, his experience was there for all to see but despite his and the rest of the packs efforts they were unable to breach the Railway line. Time and time again Balbriggan worked their way up the field only to loose the ball and Railway kicked to move them back down the field. In their haste to get back up the field Balbriggan gave away two penalties that meant they were denied even a bonus point for their efforts. Balbriggan have a bit to learn about playing with the elements. Best for Balbriggan on the day was Conor Caldwell who was on top from with his trademark runs knocking back the Railway defence
Their next outing is the Cup against Cill Dara on Feb 1st.
On Saturday the IIXV played Ardee in atrocious conditions. The game ended 3-3 and while Balbriggan nearly slipped home at the end a draw was a fair result for all who braved the elements.
Balbriggan 25 Malahide 3
Having got 2009 off to a bad start away to Wexford Balbriggan blew away the remains of the christmas pudding and recorded in a victory over Malahide in windy conditions at Balrothery. The game had originally been fixed for Friday night but had to be postponed due to a frozen pitch. The frozen conditions of Friday were replaced with a gale force wind blowing straight down the pitch.. Malahide kicked off with the wind but failed to capitalise on the advantage. Everytime Malahide incurred into the Balbriggan half Balbriggan managed to run the ball back out. With both sides playing a similar pick and drive game Malahide were getting the beiier of the duel but thier backs couldn't make any advantage against a strong Balbriggan defence. Eventually Malahide got on the score sheet with a penalty but it was scant reward for their possesion. The Balbriggan backs were the sharper and at the end of the half a quick penalty tap by Balbriggan outhalf Casey saw him send centre John Whitney score under the posts. Gary Hoban bounced the ball over the bar to add the conversion. Balbriggan held a 7 - 3 lead at half time.
While playing with the wind Balbriggan found it hard going and despite good drives by Caldwell Malahide were still too strong in the maul. As the game wore on Malahide tired playing into the wind. Gary Hoban used every ounce of the wind to land a superb penalty attempt from halfway out on the touchline. This gave Balbriggan the comfort of a score lead. This aided the Balbriggan team and they started to run the ball with Casey spreading the ball, a good move saw centre McAuley squeeze in for a try and Hoban added the conversion from the sideline. Balbriggan were fortunate to add another score in injury time by skipper Roche which made the score look better than perhaps Malahide deserved.
An impoved display from Balbriggan with the two Quinns and Brian Calvey showing good form. It was also good to see Stu Mullen return to action in the second half and hopefully cousin Jay will also return from injury soon
Balbriggan face Railway ext Sunday in a the tussle for 4th place, both are currently on 26 points.
Balbriggan IIXv went down to bogey team Navan 10 - 3 on Saturday but are still in 2nd place in the Magee Cup.
The Balbriggan minis had the opportunity to play at the RDS on Saturday when they played at half time in the Leinster Cardiff game. Well done to all of them
19 October
Swords 3 Balbriggan 23
Balbriggan got their league campaign back on track with a 23 -3 win over a much improved Swords side. Having beaten Swords earlier in the season in the Jenkinson |Cup the Balbriggan side would have been hoping to pick up a bonus point in this encounter. There were a few late changes on the Balbriggan side with Andy Whitney moving from the wing to the No6 slot and Michael McAuley filling in on the wing. Dave Healy made his first IXV start for the injured J Mullen in the centre.
Balbriggan played with the strong wind in the first half and despite some good attacking play only turned 6 points up thanks to two Hoban penalties. While Balbriggan made plenty of ground basic handing errors continue to plague them leading to the breakdown of moves. The Swords defence also stood up well absorbing the pressure of everything thrown at them and despite good running from Captain Roche and second row Caldwell Balbriggan could not make the break.
Swords started the second half strong and were awared a penalty for a Balbriggan offside and were suddenly back in the match. They continued to pile on the pressure but the balbriggan defence stood firm. From a turnover ball Conor Casey started one of his counter attacks and after breaking the Swords defence set full back Stu Mullen through to score under the posts, Hoban added the conversion. Balbriggan continued to attack but still gave away the ball in good positions. During the whole match they gave away 5 frees for crooked in to the scrum both Scrum half Smith and substitute McNulty suffering under the eagle eye on the lady referee. Balbriggan's superior fitness eventually told and full back Mullen broke through in mid field to race away for the second try. With time running out Balbriggan added a third through Casey after some fine interchanges between Casey, Mullen and Healy. It looked as if Balbriggan might grab the bonuw point when Mullen broke through but he was too slow in off loading to the supporting runner Healy and was caught by the Swords defence.
Another win and Balbriggan will be looking forward to a break next weekend before resuming in early November with a home game against CYM.
Mullen, McAuley. Healy, Casey, McNamara, Hoban, smyth( McNulty), Joyce, Davis (Casey) Quinn (Egan), Caldwell, Whitney, Malone, Roche.
Balbriggan II 0 Navan III 3
On a very wet day in Balbriggan the IIXV were unlucky not to come away with something in a tight encounter with Navan. Against a very yound Balbriggan team the Meath men's experience won out, with an experienced pack effectively sticking the ball up their jumper and ensuring Balbriggan saw little of the ball. When they did Balbriggan took every opportunity to run the ball with No8 Clinton showing fine form. McGrogan had 2 long range penalties which just fell short and a third that came back off the upright whereas Navan were succesful with their one shot, on such a narrow margin hangs the match.
It was good to see veteran Eamon Darcy take a run out in the second half and we look forward to seeing more from Eamon over the rest of the season.
Overall a good display from Balbriggan and the team can look forward to keeping up a challenge for the rest of the season.
McNulty Smith. Downes. Halligan, Sheridan, Darcy Murphy. McGrogan, Comey, Casey, Healy, Egan, Jenkinson, O'Toole, Scott
12 October 2008
Railway 22 Balbriggan 17
Balbriggan will feel a little unlucky only to have come away from PArk Avenue with a losing bonus point but this was a determined display by the Balbriggan team and shows how much they have matured since last year. The game nearly started disasterously for Balbriggan when they spilled the kick off and Railway backs ran across the line just failing to squeeze in in the corner. Balbriggan sustained the first ten minutes pressure and it looked as if this game was going Railways way but Railway had only 3 points to show for it. Balbriggan then started to settle and great work by the front five gave them the upper hand in the scrums. Captain Roche led some strong bursts helped by backrow forwards Malone and Hagan, who was a late subsitute for Damien Smith who faield a pre match fitness test.
The boot of Gary Hoban squared the game at 3 all but Railway then went 6 - 3 in front when some Babriggan indiscipline gave away a penalty. Balbriggan fought back and and a break by the ever reliable Conor Casey saw him score under the posts leaving Balbriggan 8 - 6 up at the break. Balbriggan went 11 - 3 up but Railway fought and at a line out 10 meters out a mistake by the Balbriggan team let Railway in for a tryback. Railway then split the Balbriggan defence and went 15 - 11 up. As the match swong back and forth Balbriggan got another penalty through Hoban to close the gap to 15 - 14 but again their defence was exploited and Railway went 22 - 15 up with 5 minutes remaining. In fairness the Balbriggan heads did not drop, the key was to wrok up the pitch and not give away penalties. Throughout the match there seemed to be interpretation differences with the referee as to what was ok in the rucks with Balbriggan feeling that Railway were coming off their feet whereas Balbriggan were continually penalised. Balbriggan worked into the 22 and a discretion by Raiway was punished by Hoban to bring the score to 17 - 22. Despite attacking for the last minutes Balbriggan could not find that last score.
A great display, particularly from the pack and the old man of the team, Paddy Joyce, was the Balbriggan man of the match with fellow fron trow forwards Davies and O'HAre not far behind. In the backs Andy Whitney making his first start in a league match showed a good defensive displaytacking everyne who cam at him. The match will set up Balbriggan up for their forthcoming matches, they know the areas they have to work on but they also know that they are the match of any team in the League.
Balbriggan take on Swords next Sunday in ALSA at 3pm.
S Mullen, A Whitney, J Mullen (P Everest), C Casey, B Caldwell, A Smith, G Hoban. P Joyce, J Davies, S O'Hare, C Caldwell, A Quinn ( A Egan) K malone, T Hagan, C Roche
Danny's Day
Boyne III 14 Balbriggan II 19.
A gutsy display saw Balbriggan defeat last years Champion's Boyne in their MAgee cup match in Drogheda. A terrible start by Balbriggan saw them gift Boyne a converted try from the kick off. A further try saw them 14 - 0 in 10 minutes. with a 14 - 0 deficit Balbriggan had a very steep hill to climb but slowly they started to get them selves back into the game. The team is made up mainly of last years U20 with a few old "heads " to give some experience. It was the experince of Johnny Davis leading the tackling charge helped negate the Boyne pack and with Jack Clinton prepared to run at Boyne from the base of the scrum Balbriggan earned a couple of penalties that brought them back to 14 - 6 at half time.
With Balbriggan winning plently of ball Boyne had to defend hard in the second half. Ian Murphy came on at outhalf and with Dave Healy punching holes up the middle Balbriggan won another penalty and scrum half Danny McGrogan put up his hattrick. Boyne were under severe pressure and another penalty put teh scores to 14 - 12. Boyne woke up at this stage and worked their way into the Balriggan 22 but a discretion saw balbriggan gain a penalty. McGrogan hoofed the ball down the centre of the pitch, he chased his own kick the Boyne full back fumbled the ball and McGrogan kicked on to score under the posts and then added the conversion to put the 19 - 14 in front. Boyne tried hard to get a winner but Balbriggan held on for a well deserved win. Others to mention for Balbriggan were Peter Comey who showed he is well over his leg break of last year with a fine game. Others to shine in the pack were Mark Jenkinson and Alan Egan. In the backs Pat everest and "Frenchy" McNamara had fine games with French showing everyone how to tackle. The enthusiam of the team shows that they have a good season ahead of them.
K Smith, R Halligan, S McNamara. P Mann, D Sheridan, D McGrogan, P Everest (I Murphy) T Healy J Davies P comey, L O'Toole ( A egan) M Jenkinsion, P Scotty, T Hagan, J Clinton
The IIXV now play Navan in Balrothery next Saturday at 3pm.
19 Sept
Casey scores Four
Swords 7 Balbriggan 41
Balbriggan secured the points in their Jenkinson Cup match with Swords at ALSAA last Friday. The Balbriggan coach took the opportunity of trying out a few new combinations before the Leinster League starts next weekend with a home match against Wexford. Michale McAuley was given the opportunity to start in the no 10 shirt with Conor Casey moving to outside centre and what a grat move that was with Casey scoring 4 tries on the night. McAuley played a running game all night giving 1st centre J Mullen quick feed which gave Casey plenty of space.
In the pack a new front row combination of Davies, Hagan and Caldwell had a good game standing up to an experienced sords front row. The first score came after 15 minutes when Casey shortfooted his opponent and interacting with whitney on the wing squeezed in in the corner. A few minutes later Casey was off again with a typical chip and chase to score under the posts - jogging out and back to training each evening is showing its benefits!
Paul Quinn finished off a good mauling move by the pack to score Balbriggan's third. Balbriggna then seemed to go go to sleep for a while , with just a penalty added by G Hoban Swords started the second half stronger and got over for a try at the start of the half. Balbriggan were still making too many handling errors and leaving turnover ball ffor swords. Then that man Casey struck again finishing a good backline move to score in the morning. This awakened the Balbriggan team and Casey added his fourth. From the kickoff wing Andy Whitney challenged and made a good catch and good support play from Captain Roche scored Balbriggan's sixth. Gary Hoban converted 4 of the tries to leave the final score 7- 41.
Pivetes 5 Balbriggan IIXV 0
Last week the BAlbriggan IIXv had their first run out of the season when they took on the Argentinian tourists Pivetes. Pivetes are in Over 35 side and had arrived in Ireland after two games in Italy. They were also playing Blackrock and St MArys before going on to London for a further two games before returing home.
The match gave Balbriggan Coach Larry Hagan the opportunity to look at some of those challenging for places when the IIXV start their Magee Cup campaign away to Athboy next Friday. Danny McGrogan and Ian Murphy resumed their half back partnership from their underage days. Peter Comey got his first full run out after breaking a leg last year. Played under O35 rules which meant no kicking outside the 22 it meant for an open running game. The Argentinians showed their younger Irish opponents how to pass the bal across the line with some good moves but the Balbriggan defence held firm for most of the game. However eventually the Argentinians made teh break through with a score in the corner. Balbriggan nearly stole a try at the end but Pivetes held on for the win.
Overall it was a most enjoyable game and both teams swapped stories long into the night in the Balrothery INN. The IIXv are looking forward to a return match in Buenos Aries!
Honours Even in Fingal Derby
Skerries 10 Balbriggan 10
The local derby between Balbriggan and Skerries resulted in 10 - 10 draw leaving both teams tied at the top of their Jenkinson table. On a wintry September day Skerries will probably feel the more fortunate with the result. After both teams experienced big wins last week it was a much closer battle this week. Balbriggan put Skerries under the early pressure with Skerries being penalised for not rolling away on numerous occasions, however Balbriggan's kickers had left their boots at home with 3 penalties missed. Skerries took advantage of one of their few ventures into the Balriggan 22. The out half saw that the BAlbriggan defence had moved up and a clever kick in behind set the Skerries backs loose, Balbriggan scrum half Smith nearly won the race back but the bounce of the bal went Skerries way and they ended the half 5-0 in front. Balbriggan again were suffering from last years problem of plenty of territrial advantage but no points on the board. Coach O'Connor made some tactical switches at half time with Gary Hoban and Andy Whitney replacing Barry Caldwell and Cathal McNulty in the back. The switch seemed to work as early in the second half a quick move across the backs saw Centre Mullen scored in the corner.
Balbriggan kept up the pressure but were prone to too many handling errors leading to turnovers. Conor Casey, who had been having a very quiet game, suddenly jinked inside his tackler and stepped through a few more taclkes to score an individual try. Balbriggan lost prop Joyce and hooker Casey to injury leading to reserve hooker Rucks Davies haing to prop and Tom Hagan taking the hooking position. The forced cahnge put the Balbriggan scrumn under pressure until they got used to the new arrangement. Errors still permeated the Balbriggan game giving Skerries the opportunity to counter. Eventually Skerries forced a lineout on the five metre line and their backs ran the ball across the line to level up the match with a try in the corner. Again Balbriggan backs would not want to watch the video on this one.
Referee Willie Botha blew the match up 10 minutes early as he had mistaken the time but both sides were happy with the draaw. A good work out for both teams and each had the opportunity to test their mettle. Kieran Malone had a fine game for Balbriggan at open side flanker and Captain Karl Roche also puy in some powerful tackles. Next week Balbriggan take on Swords and Skerries take on Athboy, whichever team scores the most points will get to the Jenkinson final on 27 December so there is all to play for,
On Wed evening, Kick off 6.15pm a Balbriggan XV take on the Piventes O35 team who are on a European tour from their Buenos Aries base, so please come along and support.
7 Sept 2008
Athboy 0 Balbriggan 47
Balbriggan opened their defence of the Jenkinson Cup with a convincing win over Athboy last Sunday. Balbriggan started well with out half Conor Casy opening the scoring. Casey showed the benefit of his off season training with a magical display, scoring a hat trick of tries, one of which saw him run the length of the pitch.
Balbriggan didn't add their secon try until the second quarter with their best move of the move saw Casey set his inside centre Barry Cauldwell through to beat two me before off loading to outside centre Mullen to crash over for a score. Athboy challenged at time but great tackling from winger McNally. The next try came from the older of the Caldwell brothers getting over from close in to leave Balbriggan, This was followed by skipper Roche getting in on the act This left Balbriggan in a commanding lead at the break, however Athboy didn't syop trying and put the BAlbriggan defence under severe pressure but it held. Casey opened the scoring with his second try. This was followed by Michael McAuley showing perseverance in following up a ball and snatching it from the defeners hands as he went to touch it down to steal a try. Casey rounded off the scoring with his long run.
Overall Balbriggan will be happy with the win but know there is still work to be done. Balbriggan had a number of players unavialable this weekend so it gave coach O'Connor an opportunity to look at some new players with 5 of last years U20 team featuring during the afternoon. There were good displays from Kiernan Maone and Tom Hagan. man of the match was "Frenchy" McNally with both hard tackling all afternnon and string running when the opportunity arose. With next week's opponents winning by a similar margin against Swords there will be a lot to play for in Holmpatrick next Sunday.
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