Hinch Firsts bounce back after defeat against Terenure last week
Bateman Cup SF,
Venue: Ballymacarn Park,
Ballynahinch 78 Sligo 0.
It was an afternoon to remember for some of the next generation of Ballynahinch stars as they helped ease the club into the Bateman Cup final writes James Kirk.
Adam Craig was able to rotate his squad to give some regulars a week off ahead of a tough trip to Nenagh Ormond and still have enough quality on the pitch to score twelve tries without reply against their plucky but outclassed Division 2B opponents.
Back rower Sam Warwick was the star with a hat trick of tries and a host of other up and coming young players caught the eye, including Jon Rodgers, Conor Gibson, Harry McKeown, Quinn Armstrong and Adam Bennett.
Their form for the undefeated second XV has been outstanding and a sprinkling of older heads such as Zack McCall, Bradley Luney and Claytan Milligan allowed them to settle in with confidence.
Other squad players with more experience like Ben Wilson, Joe Charles and Stephen Campbell also gained valuable time in the senior jersey and everyone involved will have gained from the experience.
This was only the second time Ballynahinch have played Sligo and there were several members of the original squad from 1996 in attendance at the pre-match lunch, including Chris Armstrong, Brian Wilson and Michael Rodgers who were also proudly watching their sons take part on the pitch.
Leinster titans Clontarf will be the opposition in the Bateman Cup Final at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday 3rd January 2026.
Ballynahinch 1-23: Matthew Burke, Josh Hanlon, Joe Mawhinney, Bradley Luney, Kyle Gill, Zack McCall, Jon Rodgers, Sam Warwick, Chris Gibson, Harry McKeown, Adam Bennett, Quinn Armstrong, Matthew Booth, Conor Rankin, Pierce Crowe, Claytan Milligan, John Dickson, Joe Charles, Stephen Campbell, Ben Wilson, Conor Gibson, Paul Kerr, Aaron Sexton.
Ballynahinch RFC Round-up 08/11/2025
Club Notes
Ballynahinch inflicted a heavy defeat on derby rivals Lisburn in the Women’s Premiership with a sparkling eight try victory at Blaris.
Skipper Jemima Johnston set an example with four tries while there was a hat trick for veteran Number 8 Rachel Morton and Jane Patton added a try and four conversions.
The fourths and fifths moved to the top of their respective leagues as the season nears the end of Phase 1 with both sides topping fifty points at home against Banbridge and Portadown respectively.
At youth level there was defeat for the U14 boys but victory for the U16 girls.
The next AIL home fixture is against St.Mary’s on 6th December.
Pre-match lunch is SOLD OUT. To book your place at the pre match lunches in 2026 contact James Kirk on 07966143184.
Youth Training continues on Mondays at 7pm for boys and Wednesdays at 7pm for girls. All players U12/U14/U16/U18 welcome and no experience necessary. Contact Johnny Cullen for details on 07595651901.
Mini rugby continues on Saturday mornings from 9.30-11am. Boys and girls from P1 – Yr8 are all welcome, with training run for each age group in their school year. Mini rugby news is posted weekly on the club Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/ballynahinchrfcofficial.
For more details contact Kenny Morton – Mini Convenor on 07813157614 or email:
Results 08/11/2025.
Ballynahinch 78 Sligo 0 (Bateman Cup SF),
Lisburn 10 Ballynahinch 2 48 (Women’s Premiership),
Ballynahinch 4 52 Banbridge 4 0 (Provincial South),
Ballynahinch 5 50 Portadown 3 17 (Regional South).
