TUAM 29 BALLINASLOE 12
Tuam started their 26/27 J1A league campaign with a bonus point victory against Ballinasloe at Garraun Park on Saturday evening.
The first half was a keenly contested affair with both teams enjoying periods of dominance. Tuam brought the game to their opponents and camped themselves inside their '22 for the opening fifteen minutes but would have been dissapointed to have come away without a score.
Ballinasloe on the other hand would have been delighted with their disciplined defence and a venture into the Tuam half was rewarded with a seventeenth minute unconverted try. They had an opportunity to increase their lead ten minutes later but a penalty kick in front of the posts went wide.
It looked like Tuam would be trailing at the break but Luke Cronin had other ideas when he intercepted a pass deep inside his own half to run nearly the length of the pitch for a brilliant breakaway try. Oisin McWalter converted to leave the half-time score; Tuam 7 Ballinasloe 5.
However, three minutes into the second half, the visitors retook the lead. Seàn Power set up Stephen Grenham who touched down under the posts and this time the try was converted.
Tuam responded well and five minutes later the game was level at 12 apiece. After going through twelve phases, Johannes Terblanche, in his first league game as club captain, used his strength to get over for a try.
Then in the fifty-second minute, Tuam went through the phases once more and this time it was Alan Finnerty who got over to touch down for a try which McWalter converted.
Tuam had their third try in eight minutes when Eoghan Sweeney got over for the crucial bonus point and this time, McWalter was unlucky to see his conversion attempt, come back off the post.
Then in the sixty-sixth minute, Tuam defended brilliantly under heavy pressure when the visitors looked odds on to be in for a try but instead Tuam defended defiantly and won a penalty to clear their lines.
Both teams had a man sent to the sin bin late on before deep in added time, Owen Halion got over for Tuam's fifth try of the match to seal the win.
Well done to both the players and management team on a great win to get their league campaign up and running.
Thanks to all our supporters for coming along on Saturday and to those who served teas, coffees and refreshments on the night.
PHOTO CREDIT: Owen Nally Photography
(Article written, October 12th, 2026)
Tuam started their 26/27 J1A league campaign with a bonus point victory against Ballinasloe at Garraun Park on Saturday evening.
The first half was a keenly contested affair with both teams enjoying periods of dominance. Tuam brought the game to their opponents and camped themselves inside their '22 for the opening fifteen minutes but would have been dissapointed to have come away without a score.
Ballinasloe on the other hand would have been delighted with their disciplined defence and a venture into the Tuam half was rewarded with a seventeenth minute unconverted try. They had an opportunity to increase their lead ten minutes later but a penalty kick in front of the posts went wide.
It looked like Tuam would be trailing at the break but Luke Cronin had other ideas when he intercepted a pass deep inside his own half to run nearly the length of the pitch for a brilliant breakaway try. Oisin McWalter converted to leave the half-time score; Tuam 7 Ballinasloe 5.
However, three minutes into the second half, the visitors retook the lead. Seàn Power set up Stephen Grenham who touched down under the posts and this time the try was converted.
Tuam responded well and five minutes later the game was level at 12 apiece. After going through twelve phases, Johannes Terblanche, in his first league game as club captain, used his strength to get over for a try.
Then in the fifty-second minute, Tuam went through the phases once more and this time it was Alan Finnerty who got over to touch down for a try which McWalter converted.
Tuam had their third try in eight minutes when Eoghan Sweeney got over for the crucial bonus point and this time, McWalter was unlucky to see his conversion attempt, come back off the post.
Then in the sixty-sixth minute, Tuam defended brilliantly under heavy pressure when the visitors looked odds on to be in for a try but instead Tuam defended defiantly and won a penalty to clear their lines.
Both teams had a man sent to the sin bin late on before deep in added time, Owen Halion got over for Tuam's fifth try of the match to seal the win.
Well done to both the players and management team on a great win to get their league campaign up and running.
Thanks to all our supporters for coming along on Saturday and to those who served teas, coffees and refreshments on the night.
PHOTO CREDIT: Owen Nally Photography
(Article written, October 12th, 2026)
