GALWEGIANS and Ballina will contest the final of the Connacht Senior Cup at Galway Sports Ground next Sunday after they beat Corinthians and UCG respectively in the semi-finals over the weekend.

Ballina's 30-15 win over UCG in Ballina yesterday featured 20 points from captain and full back William Ruane, including two tries. Their other tries came from Eamonn McAndrew and John Kirby. Tom Kilroy, Robbie Baxter and Conor Kilroy had tries for the students although the latter was off target with his kicking.

On Saturday, Galwegians advanced a step further in their bid to retain the cup when, at the Sports Ground, they came from 8-6 down at half time to beat Corinthians 16-11.

Tries from prop Finbarr Filan and hooker Kevin Tierney turned the match Galwegians' way after out-half Ken Barrett's two first half penalties. Corinthians' New Zealand out-half Simon Allnutt scored all their points with a try and two penalties.