Despite this pivotal league win for Ballymena, an air of pessimism shrouded Eaton Park. In the heart of rural Antrim, the news that another "hot suspect" of foot-and-mouth had been found in Cushendall (unfortunately confirmed yesterday) to add to the case in Co Tyrone, cast, amongst the locals at least, significant doubt on the viability of playing out the remainder of the All-Ireland League.
"We are very conscious of the foot-and-mouth. At this point we don't even know if we will train on Monday night," said Ballymena coach Andre Bester after the match.
Bester, now at Ballymena for his third season and married to a local, would be more sensitive than many overseas coaches to the devastating potential of the news.
Nonetheless, he did take comfort from the fact that Ballymena and Galwegians provided one of the best matches of the season, as both sides, apart from a 20minute phase in the second half, were willing to run the ball from most positions.
In the end the home side provided position and opportunity for man-of-the-match Neil Doak to land two from three penalties in the final 11 minutes for the fivepoint win.
Ballymena now move into second place on the table on points difference, but Galwegians are still contending in third place.
Leading at half-time by eight points, Galwegians were asked to defend their lead into a wind. Both defences had been fluid and mobile throughout the first half, but difficult conditions for handling ensured heaps of grounded ball. In that department referee Dave McHugh blew regularly as players illegally went to ground to protect possession.
Ultimately, Galwegians erred most in the second half as Ballymena squeezed them in their half, with Doak picking off the late winners.
Gavin Duffy on the Galwegians right wing was again wonderfully balanced and precocious in his play, and set up the first try of the match. Stepping outside Stanley McDowell on the wing, he launched a grubber in field a fraction before he was taken out by the cover. Number eight Michael Swift, who critically departed injured before half-time, easily won the chase.
Just after half an hour, a quick tap penalty with Ballymena's Andy Graham bullocking his way through the bunch had the sides level at 10-10, before wing Denver Rumney, having started a left-side break, finally accepted from Eric Elwood to go in at the flag for Galwegians.
Ballymena's lively full back Scott Young inched over from a surge on 51 minutes, handing the lead back to the home side as the match balanced precariously, before a penalty from Elwood had Galwegians back in front with less than than 15 minutes remaining.
Given McHugh's emphasis on ball protection, discipline was crucial. As Galwegians strained to play the game in the Ballymena half, they inevitably came under more pressure to make ground in possession. It was there, through Doak, they finally perished, although taking a bonus point.
"Sometimes you are so much better than other teams that you lose focus," said a proud Bester of his burgeoning side.
"It was very important, because they (Galwegians) lost last weekend and we knew it was going to be tough. They are a side on the up. But the young boys showed today that they can up the pace when they want to do that - and this Ballymena side is a very young side."
SCORING SEQUENCE: 16 mins: M Swift try, E Elwood con 0-7; 25: N Doak pen 3-7; 27: Elwood pen 3-10; 34: A Graham try, Doak con 10-10; 40: D Rumney try 10-15; 41: Elwood pen 10-18. Half-time. 44: Doak pen 13-18; 51: S Young try, Doak con 2018; 64: Elwood pen 20-21; 72: Doak pen 2321; 75: Doak pen 26-21.
BALLYMENA: S Young; J Topping, S Stewart, R Botha, S McDowell; A Derwin, N Doak; N McKernan, P Shields, G Cully, C Beukes, D O'Kane, A Graham, R Nelson, J Taggert. Replacements: G Langwell for Beukes (50 mins); B Young for McKernon and D Topping for Graham (64 mins).
GALWEGIANS: W Ruane; G Duffy, P Duignan, M Murphy, D Rumney; E Elwood, B Shelbourne; D McFarland, P Cleary, P Bracken, D Browne, M McConell, B Gavin, M Swift, J Barfoot. Replacements: J Charlie for Swift (35 mins).
Referee: D McHugh (Munster)
