In an exhilarating clash at Bowhill, Balbriggan hosted Roscrea in the second week of the
Leinster league. The home team, eager to bounce back from a disappointing loss to
Portlaoise, faced a spirited Roscrea side riding high on their recent victory over North Meath.
Balbriggan, determined to kickstart their campaign and push for promotion, made strategic
changes to their lineup. Conor Caldwell replaced Eoin Hannigan, while Mark Fay shifted to
the blindside and Ciaran Hannigan took up the open side position. The backline saw the
debut of Jamie Kinninmont at scrum-half, James Gibbs moved to the wing in place of Kyle
Healy, Brian Mollohan replaced Cal O’Connor in the center, and Dylan Staunton came in for
Floyd Rensewe on the wing.
The match kicked off with a split kick off from Roscrea, and Balbriggan had promising
opportunities to make inroads up the pitch. However, the first half turned into a tense battle,
with both teams evenly matched. Luck seemed to elude Balbriggan, and challenging
conditions led to a kick battle. To Balbriggan’s surprise, Roscrea capitalized on a defensive
lapse and found themselves scoring a try under Balbriggan’s posts. Despite this setback,
Balbriggan rallied but conceded a penalty, giving Roscrea another chance to extend their
lead.
After sustained pressure from both the forwards and backs, Balbriggan managed to get on
the scoreboard. Paul O’Connor slotted a penalty kick, giving his team a much-needed boost.
Building on their momentum, Balbriggan executed a well-worked move, combining the
forwards and backs seamlessly, resulting in Graham Reynolds crossing the line for a
fantastic score. Unfortunately, the subsequent conversion was missed, but Balbriggan was
firmly in control. However, fate had different plans as Roscrea swiftly responded with a
stolen try, putting Balbriggan under immense pressure.
But Balbriggan showed resilience and determination. From a solid set piece and a brilliantly
executed play, Brian Mollohan broke through the defense to secure a remarkable try, which
was expertly converted by Paul O’Connor. Balbriggan and Roscrea exchanged penalties,
keeping the game within a tight four-point margin at halftime.
As the second half commenced, Balbriggan launched a strong restart, immediately
pressuring Roscrea. However, the visitors fielded well and showcased their dynamic runners
in the backfield. Balbriggan conceded a kickable penalty, allowing Roscrea to extend their
lead by six points. Yet, Paul O’Connor’s accurate place kicking kept Balbriggan within
striking distance. The game hung on a knife’s edge, and after sustained pressure, Roscrea
managed to breach the defense and score a try, leaving just five minutes on the clock.
Undeterred, Balbriggan dug deep and fought their way into Roscrea’s territory. Seizing an
opportunity, Roscrea committed a penalty, prompting Balbriggan to opt for the corner and
build immense pressure. This relentless push resulted in Callum Breeds crashing over in the
corner for a crucial try. With the game on the line, Paul O’Connor displayed remarkable
composure and slotted the game-winning penalty.
As the referee blew the final whistle, the crowd erupted in celebration. Balbriggan emerged
victorious in a thrilling encounter, securing a hard-fought 31-30 triumph. Their attention now
turns to the upcoming away fixture against North Meath, where they aim to maintain their
winning momentum. The team calls upon their dedicated supporters to rally behind them on
this exciting journey.
