Seniors dream ended but Carrick U16s shock Ballina in Cup

A mixed bag of results for Carrick RFC last weekend as the club’s Senior team saw their League final hopes ended but there was a surprise victory for the club’s U16 team who shocked favourites Ballina in the first round of the Connacht Cup.

Seniors: Carrick  12 -20 Galwegians 

Carrick hosted league leaders Galwegians 2nds last Sunday and it was the visitors that finished up with both points. This loss extinguished any hopes Carrick had of making the League final.

Galwegians started with a bang scoring a try early on by their full back M.J. Duffy but this was closely snuffed out by Carrick with a try from Denis McCaffrey. Both teams fought hard for the rest of the first half with Carrick conceding another Duffy try ending the first half 10-7. It could easily have been 14-7 as the conversions for both of Galwegians tries hit the post.

The second half saw Galway converting a penalty followed by a try by the wiry Josh Munn bringing the score to 20-7. Despite Carrick's valiant efforts to claw their way back into contention, it just wasn’t enough, scoring a second half try courtesy of Brendan Davis. Galwegians strong defence held out easily that saw the match ending on a full time score of 20-12.

U16: Underdogs Carrick U16s made the unenviable trip to face Ballina in the 1st round of the Connacht Cup and came away with a brilliant 15-13 victory. 

Ballina took an early lead with a penalty. Carrick responded with a try by Jack Moolick to lead 5-3. Ballina hit back with a try to leave the half time score 10 points to 5.

Early in the second half Ballina scored another penalty to leave the scoreline 13 points to 5.

The game was drifting away from Carrick and with Ballina 8 points up the home team looked comfortable. Carrick dug deep and showed great character in scoring a second try by Iarlaith Martin converted by Moolick, 13-12 to the home team and game on but the clock was ticking fast for the visitors.

Carrick now had their bit between their teeth and attacked Ballina with gusto and up stepped Conor Kelly who coolly slotted home a wonderful drop goal to give Carrick the lead by 15 points to 13 which they held on to.

Carrick next take on Ballyhaunis on February 24.

U13: Carrick U13s had a comfortable 49-26 win over Cavan in a pre-cup friendly.

Leitrim Sports Partnership Awards: All members of the Club would like to congratulate Diarmaid O'Connell, a joint winner of the Leitrim Sports Partnership juvenile sportsperson of the year and the 2023 Carrick U16 team that won the team of the year award at the same event.