Balbriggan 29 – Athy 32
The home team suffered a narrow loss in their Leinster Division 1 league game v Athy RFC , Sunday 4th October , but came with two valuable league points.
In an enthralling fixture that swung both directions throughout the 80 minutes , Balbriggan got off to quick start with an excellent try from Shannon Campbell after some hard carries by the pack. Both teams traded scores including a strong carry by Aoife Brennan to secure Balbriggans second try.
Balbriggan secured their 3rd try and possibly try of the day off a excellent first phase move from a scrum , a huge carry by the impressive Megan Gannon which set the backs in motion and Shannon Campbell put Eve Conway away leaving the home team 19-12 up at the break. After the break both teams once again traded scores with Abi Dungan scoring Balbriggans 4th and bonus point try after strong carry. Athy stayed in the fight and Balbriggan needed a Shannon Campbell penalty to give them a 29-27 lead going into the final few minutes.
Deep in injury time it was heartbreak for the hosts as Athy secured a late winner. Despite one more valiant effort from the restart it wasn’t to be Balbriggans day and congratulations to Athy on a sporting match and very best of luck for remainder of the season.
Congratulations to Siun Douglas and Aoife Purcell on making their senior debut and to the returning Sarah McDonald to Division 1 rugby after a long lay off with injury.
