10 years ago 
Ballina 34 – 10 Ballinasloe
Ballina won the Heineken Junior Plate last Sunday at the Sportsground. This was the first year the Junior Plate and Cup have been held on the same day as a double header and Ballina earned their title with an impressive second half performance against a strong Ballinasloe team.
Leading just 7-3 at the interval, but having played into the teeth of a gale for the first 40 minutes, Ballina turned the screw in the second half with a 5 try blitz from Conor Forde, Sam Johnston (2), Francis Conroy and Jerome Harimate whilst Ballinasloe responded with a pick ‘n go try of their own, converted by Keelan O’Neil to add to his earlier penalty.
Ballina: Conor Dever; Francis Conroy, Jerome Harrimate, Michael Allen, Kevin McCarron; Sam Johnson, Michael Murphy; Ciaran Melvin, Richard Kelly, Alex Lee; Conor Forde, Mark Joseph Healy; Orrie Collins, Phillip Timoney, Aiden McNulty.
Replacement: Rodney O’Donnell, Stpehen Dolan, Arthur West, Cory Brown, Conor Mason, Paul Newell, Daid Brunker, Tyrone De Silva.
Ballinasloe: Matt Tierney; Rory Doolan, David Freeman, Conor Johnston, Cian Loughrey; Keelan O’Neill, Conor Loughrey; John James Carey, Andy O’Hara, Tommy Dolan; Niall Staunton, Harry Reynolds; Rob Wakefield, Aidan, John Hayes.
Replacement: Kevin Gavin, Alan Wade, Mark Harrigan, Donal Fenton, Kevin Dolan, Aidan Loughrey, Robert Ahern, Dara Burke, Benny Brophy.
Pictures © Joe O’Shaughnessey ([email protected])
