Contenders Clontarf proved too strong for Ballynahinch firsts at Ballynacarn Park
AIL Division 1,
Venue: Ballymacarn Park on Saturday 7th December 2024,
Ballynahinch 12 Clontarf 32.
Perennial title challengers Clontarf came to Ballymacarn Park on Saturday with a point to prove and returned to Castle Avenue with five points in their pocket having laid down a marker with an extremely physical display in difficult conditions writes James Kirk.
Adam Craig had to rejig his squad with Aaron Sexton’s departure to the NFL and Ulster’s injury crisis resulting in callups for Conor McKee, James Humphreys and Zac Ward to the senior party which travelled to Toulouse.
He was able to select Bryn Ward for the first time this season with Reuben Crothers, Tom McCallistair and Ethan Graham also released.
he continued absence through injury of Paul Kerr meant a start at out-half for teenager Harry McKeown, while scrum half Rhuairi Meharg occupied the right wing. Â
The wind direction was directly opposite to the usual southerly and Ballynahinch found themselves playing away from the clubhouse with the wind in the first half.
They failed to turn territory and possession into points in the first twenty minutes as the Clontarf defence held tight amid uncharacteristic handling and set piece errors from the home side.
Clontarf were delighted to lead at half time through a solitary penalty and turned round with the wind behind their massive pack of forwards.Â
They put the game to bed in the first ten minutes of the second half with two converted tries and then held firm amidst a flurry of yellow cards.
Despite being down to thirteen men they conceded just a single Ethan Graham try and ended the sin bin period in credit after an intercept try which banished all thoughts of a Ballynahinch revival.
Ballynahinch continued to attack but were on the end of a hugely physical defensive shift from the fired-up Dubliners.Â
Ronan McCusker added a Ballynahinch try from close range with five minutes to go but Clontarf capped off a perfect afternoon by clinching the bonus point with a breakaway try on the final whistle.
The home coaching squad will lift the spirits of the group this week as they face a daunting trip to league heavyweights Terenure before the Christmas break.
Ballynahinch remain just one point off the top and seven clear of fifth place so everything is still to play for.
They have, however, shipped heavy losses in their two defeats and have to find away to stem the flow when things start to go against them. Â
Ballynahinch 1-20 Matthew Burke, Claytan Milligan, Tom McCallistair, Ronan McCusker, Will Hopes, Reuben Crothers, Peter Heasley, Bradley Luney, Chris Gibson, Harry McKeown, Ethan Graham, Mark Best, George Pringle, Rhuairi Meharg, Conor Rankin, Zack McCall, John Dickson Jr, Callum Smyth, Kyle Gill, Bryn Ward, Matthew Booth.
