Ballyshannon open with defeat against physically stronger Virginia

Ballyshannon RFC opened their league campaign with a defeat against Virginia at a windy Lakeside on Saturday.

'Shannon were without a number of personnel who cried off before kick-off with veteran Raymond Gallagher pressed into action in the outhalf position.

The wind was blowing a gale towards the clubhouse and Ballyshannon had the benefit of the elements in the opening half. However, it took them some time to find their feet with the physically stronger Virginia playing it tight.

The big boot of Raymond Gallagher was the first feature of the game with a penalty going the full length of the field and giving 'Shannon a five metre lineout.

They began to make use of the breeze and when Virginia were reduced to 14 with a yellow for a high tackle, Shannon pounced. They took a tap penalty and worked the ball quickly through Gallagher, Conall Bradhshaw and Cian Barden finding Shane Delahunty on his shoulder to break the line and touch down for the opening try.

Barden added the points for a 7-0 lead on 18 minutes. The lead was doubled on 25 minutes when Daire Gallagher took the ball from the base of the scrum and burst through to touch down under the posts and make it an easy conversion for Barden.

But Ballyshannon failed to build on the lead and when they lost Oisin Daly to yellow on 30 minutes they were punished with the Virginia centre getting over for their first try which was converted.

It got worse for the home side three minutes from the break with the Virginia winger getting in too easily for a second try which wasn't converted.

One of the highlights of the first half was a try-saving tackle from Daire Gallagher in the final seconds. It was one of 17 crucial tackles put in by the 'Shannon No 8.

Half-time: Ballyshannon 14, Virginia 12.

It was never going to be enough of a lead and so it proved. Despite Shane Delahunty getting in for his second and 'Shannon's third try, Virginia crossed three times in the second half to take the points home to Cavan.

Ballyshannon RFC: Mark Gettins, Mark Fisher, Patrick McGowan, Darren Gallagher, Aidan Murray, Oisin Daly, Shane Duffy, Daire Gallagher, Conall Bradshaw, Raymond Gallagher, Daire McDevitt, Cian Barden, Paul Kerrigan, Ben Costello, Shane Delahunty. Replacement: Christopher Fenton.