Please see link below regarding new concussion guidelines which has just been launched. It is important that everyone is aware of this.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/30281.php

Ratoath 3 Balbriggan 19

Balbriggan travelled with a little trepidation as they have not garnered much success in recent times against their Meath neighbours. Having traded early penalties, Balbriggan thought they had the first try but Ratoath managed to hold them up over the line and survive the subsequent scrum. While Balbriggan were getting the better of the forward encounters, Ratoath managed to slow down the ball but trying it once too often they were caught blocking off and Kyle Healy slotted over the penalty.
Babriggan went in at half time 6-3 ahead.

From the kick off out half Murphy put a long kick into the corner, Ratoath were penalised for a high tackle but Balbriggan went to the corner instead of the easier option of three points. Ratoath survived the line out and ran the ball out only to go off their feet at the ruck leaving Healy with an easy three points.

Balbriggan attacked again from the kick off and set up a 20 metre rolling mall, with prop Paul cullen leading the way. Eventually Rataoth brought it down for Healy to add another three points and put Balbriggan more than a score ahead.

Twice the Balbriggan pack drove over the line and both Whelan and Davis thought they had the touchdown but in both instances the ref decided he hadn’t enough evidence of the grounding and Ratoath survived the subsequent scrums. Overall Balbriggan were getting on top and some good running by the backs probably should have yielded more. Tommy O’Toole in the centre made some good breaks and was well supported by Glen Healy.

Eventually Balbriggan got the try they were searching for. From a line out 5 metres out, Balbriggan mauled the ball in and No8 Glenn Malone popped the ball to younger brother “Elmo”, who had just come off the bench, and he dived over the bodies for the score in the corner. Healy converted the difficult conversion from the sideline.

Ratoath tried in the remaining minutes to get a score but resolute defence particularly from Murphy and skipper Hagan ensured that the line wasn’t breached.

A good win and also an opportunity for Balbriggan to blood some of their younger players. Andrew Miller did well in the centre, while Dylan Staunton and Anto Sweetman showed their speed when they came off the bench onto the wings. James Brady Byrne stepped into the back row for the last ten minutes. Great to see four new faces for the future.

S Mullen, D McGee, (D Staunton), G Healy, A Miller, S Keegan (A Sweetman), I Murphy, K Healy, P Cullen (J Brady Byrne), J Davis, C Brightwell, A Whelan, G Dennis, M Geraghty (S Malone), T Hagan, K Malone.

Balbriggan 13 Boyne 12

Balbriggan maintained their home record in competitive games this season when they played their get out of jail free card to narrowly edge Boyne out with an injury time score.

It was Boyne that started the match better when the Balbriggan defence gifted them a score under the posts after 15 minutes. Balbriggan attacked from the restart and had a kickable penalty but opted to go for the corner. However Boyne defended the line out and escaped the danger. Balbriggan though were awarded another penalty and this time Kyle Healy made no mistake from the tee.

The Boyne pack had the upper hand in the scrum and from a scrum 15 metres out their No 8 got in untouched to extend their lead. The conversion was missed and this was expensive come the final whistle. It was Balbriggan’s turn to put on some pressure and from a penalty 5 metres out a quick tip and go by “Elmo” Malone saw him burrow over in the corner. Healy was not able to add the conversion to leave Boyne 12 – 8 ahead at half time.

There was plenty of cut and thrust in the middle of the park in the second half but the defences had the better hand with Ian Murphy leading the Balbriggan tackle count. Glen Healy and Stu Mullen made some good runs but the Boyne defence held firm.

With time running down it looked as if Boyne would hold on for a win but in the dying minutes Balbriggan got a penalty on the half way line. Healy found a good touch 10 metres out. The line out went to Malone at the front and the Balbriggan pack started to maul towards the line. Veteran Des O’Connor who had only just joined the action controlled the forward motion and Balbriggan kept the maul moving for another veteran, hooker, Johnny Davis to ground the ball for what looked like the match winning score.

The match wasn’t over and Boyne had the opportunity to kick off. From the ensuing ruck on the 10 metre line a Balbriggan hand pulled the Boyne scrum half into the ruck and gave away a penalty. After consulting with the ref, Boyne were told it was the last play of the game so had to go for the posts. The kick fell short and Balbriggan had got out of jail.

A win is a win but coaches O’Sullivan and Phelan will not be too happy with the two tries conceded.

The win puts Balbriggan up to third in the league and next week they play Ratoath, who are a point behind them.

The Balbriggan U15 side had their first outing of the season on Friday night when they just edged out Liberty Saints.

Dundalk 10 Balbriggan 34

Balbriggan got their Magee cup challenge back on track with a bonus point win in Dundalk today. This was the team’s first away win of the season and gives the team a great boost to get that bogey off their back. However things weren’t going all Balbriggan’s way and it was Dundalk who struck first with a converted try. Balbriggan got back on level terms with a well taken try by Tommy O’Toole but Dundalk snook ahead with a penalty. The Dundalk pack had a few kilos on their Balbriggan counterparts and in the first half made this tell. However the Balbriggan defence was good and in particular skipper, Tom Hagan, and centre Ian Murphy tackling everything that came at them. Balbriggan kept up the pressure and O’Toole got in for his second try. He has been in fine form this season and given half a gap will get himself across the line.

Just before half time Balbriggan lost out half Phelan with a calf injury but Murphy stepped seamlessly into the position and kept the backs flowing. Malone had been very strong for Balbriggan in the loose and was well supported by No 8 O’Toole. They continued to set up good possession for Balbriggan but the Dundalk line held. Balbriggan just ahead at the break 12-10.

In the second half the Dundalk pack tired and this allowed Balbriggan get greater possession, Kyle Healy at scrum half kept Dundalk guessing as he mixed his game with a series of quick breaks or straight to his backs. Dundalk were got off side on a number of occassions but Healy only converted one.

A series of good back play and some incisive running from Mullen at full back saw Steve Keegan score a fine try on the wing. Glenn Healy then secured the bonus point when he dumbied his opposing number and got in under the posts. Mullen finished the scoring with a fine solo effort at the end.

A good day for the Balbriggan backs but the pack know they have still a little work to do get themselves to the required level.

Next week Balbriggan face Boyne in Balbriggan at 8pm. The U15/16 squad also have their first outing with a home game against Liberty Saints.

On Sunday, 3rd November, Balbriggans 1st XV will play Dundalk. KO is 2.30pm in Dundalk. Meanwhile, in Balbriggan, there are games for U6/7s, U9s, U10s, U12s and U14s on Sunday morning. And U11s play away to North Meath and Boyne. Good luck to all!

Balbriggans U17s play their first match this Friday 25th October, against Malahide. KO 7.30 in Malahide RFC. Good luck to Damian and all the lads!

Balbriggans U10’s in Ashbourne today. A great squad that make the future of Balbriggan rugby bright. Well done lads.

Balbriggans U9s played their first game in the Metro today. They put in a tremendous performance against Clondalkin, in Clondalkin. Well done to the players, and Eamonn, Nic and Dave, and to all the parents.

For all members of the club, especially those playing or involved in coaching at all levels; An Associate Referees Course will be held in Coolmine RFC, Tuesday 29th Oct. at 7pm. The club needs referees and people to help at refereeing. This is an excellent opportunity for those who wish to learn more about rugby, and to understand the rules. As spaces will be limited, please contact ger.mccleery@leinsterrugby.ie, to register.