Young Players Step Up To The Mark For Firsts Following Injuries
AIL Div 1,
Aviva Stadium back pitch, Saturday 29th
Reports by James Kirk,
Lansdowne 18 Ballynahinch 10.
Ballynahinch were disappointed to head north with nothing to show from an excellent performance versus an in-form Lansdowne side.
Aaron Sexton races clear to score during the AIL RD7 match between Lansdowne and Ballynahinch at the Aviva Stadium back pitch, Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland. (Photos by John Dickson | Dickson Digital).
Coach Adam Craig will have been pleased with the performances of many of his young players as they stepped up in the absence through injury to the likes of experienced campaigners Bradley Luney and Zack McCall.
Marcus Rea and James Humphreys also returned to the side.
The artificial surface on the back pitch at the Aviva Stadium combined with the commitment to running rugby from Lansdowne generally leads to high scoring encounters and Saturday’s match seemed set to follow that pattern with three tries in the opening eleven minutes.
Landowne took an early lead before a superb James Humphreys kick-pass sent Aaron Sexton over moments later. Lansdowne regained the lead almost immediately but defences remained on top as the game played out.
Ballynahinch had opportunities in the second half. Ryan Connolly made a superb break following a quick tap penalty from Chris Gibson and was hauled down just short of the line, knocking on in the process.
Back row tyros Jon Rodgers and Sam Warwick then looked set to connect for a score but the final pass lacked accuracy and the chance went astray.
The game was still in the balance entering the closing stages after an exchange of penalties but a long range effort from Lansdowne took them eight points clear and deprived the away team of a losing bonus point.
Nonetheless the vocal support have been given a glimpse of the future this season and they will be very pleased with what they are seeing.
Ballynahinch 1-21: Matthew Burke, Claytan Milligan, Joe Mawhinney, Declan Horrox, Ryan Connolly, Marcus Rea, Jon Rodgers, Sam Warwick, Chris Gibson, James Humphreys, Aaron Sexton, Mark Best, Matthew Booth, Conor Rankin, Pierce Crowe, Josh Hanlon, John Dickson Jnr, Stephen Campbell, Peter Heasley, Ruairi Meharg, Paul Kerr.
***
Ballynahinch 2 28 Instonians 2 5
Ballynahinch continued their unbeaten season by marching into the final of the Junior Cup with a brilliant display against a strong Instonians side featuring a number of players with significant recent AIL experience.
Coach Davy Harris was missing a few regulars through unavailability and AIL call-ups but was able field a strong pack including skipper Kelvin Hamilton, Harry McCormick, Kyle Gill and Tom Martin.
A reshuffled backline saw Harry McKeown move to centre in the absence of Quinn Armstrong with Matthew Sweetlove taking over at outhalf and what the three quarter line lacked in bulk they made up for in pace and determinaton.
Ballynahinch took an early lead with Joe Charles scoring from close range and moved ten points ahead at the break with a Sweetlove penalty.
He continued to punish Instonian indiscipline with another two well struck penalties in the second half to stretch the lead to sixteen points before a superb defensive stand culminated in a long range Simon Jackson intercept try to put the result beyond doubt.
Instonians got themselves on the scoreboard as the game entered the final stages but Ballynahinch were not to be denied and had the last word with a penalty try from a deliberate knock on.
They showed exceptional hunger in defence all afternoon until their opponents eventually ran out of ideas and will look forward to the challenge of junior kingpins Ennniskillen in the final on 27th December at Affidea Stadium.
***
Ballynahinch RFC Round-Up For 29 11 2025
Club Notes
Ballynahinch were without several regulars and shipped a heavy home defeat to Queens in the Womens Premiership.
There were excellent victories for the 3rds and 4ths on Saturday against Omagh and Lisburn respectively.
The Bateman Cup Final will be away to Clontarf on Saturday 13th December. The match will be a double header with AIL points also on the line.
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 [email protected].
Results 29 11 2025
Lansdowne 18 Ballynahinch 10 (AIL Division 1A)
Ballynahinch 5 Queens 46 (Women’s Premiership)
Ballynahinch 2 28 Instonians 5 (Junior Cup SF)
Ballynahinch 3 27 Omagh 2 12 (Provincial Prem)
Ballynahinch 4 49 Lisburn 2 7 (Provincial South).
