Ballina RFC retain their league status for next season following a dramatic victory over Cork side Sunday's Well today.

Jordan Mills and Liam Golden put Ballina 14-0 ahead with conversions from Darragh Whyte, just 15 minutes in.

Ian West's try was converted to put the Mayo men 21-5 up just after a quarter of the game was played, before Sunday's Well started to turn the tie.

Eoin O'Sullivan and Finn Mac both crossed over to reduce the Ballina lead to two points at half time, 21-19.

Jack McHenry and Dan O'Brien continued the Cork fortune early in the second half as they went into a 10 point lead 10 minutes into the second half.

Ballina needed a response, and Bradley Nealon did just that with his 63rd minute try.

Whyte converted to bring the game back to three, but with seconds left on the clock, Ballina were in trouble.

Callum Quinn landed a try in the dying embers to give Ballina a two point lead, which was dually converted by the accurate Whyte.

Victory for Ballina by the skin of their teeth, in what looked to be a rip roaring encounter.

League status has been retained, in what was billed as the biggest game for Ballina RFC for a generation.

 

Full time score from Heffernan Park:

Ballina 35 - 31 Sunday's Well