A report round-up from Ballynahinch RFC
Young Munster 21 Ballynahinch 0
James Kirk reports.
Ballynahinch were unable to follow up their victory over Terenure in Limerick and Young Munster now look comfortable in 4th place after keeping the Co.Down men scoreless at their Tom Clifford Park fortress.
That is certainly what the scoreline implies but does not accurately reflect the circumstances.
Head Coach Adam Craig had Mark Best and Jamie McCartney unavailable while a bout of sickness ran through the camp leaving original selections Aaron Cairns and James Simpson unable to travel.
Jack Milligan, Greg Hutley and Chris Gibson took the field despite being unwell themselves and Claytan Milligan was lost to concussion after just five minutes of the match.
Skipper Tommy Donnan was also replaced with suspected concussion leaving Craig’s options stretched to the limit.
Arthur Johnston flew back from England at short notice to take a place on the bench with Kyle Gill also stepping up.
Ulster released the Rea brothers to start in the back row and they battled hard against an in form Young Munster side at almost full strength.
The home side saw most of the ball in the opening quarter and took the lead on twenty minutes through highly rated Munster prospect Patrick Campbell when the full back attacked a short pass at pace to burst over the line.
Ballynahinch were very much in the contest and looked set to make it to the interval just one score behind.
However, in the sixth minute of first half injury time a questionable long pass from outhalf Evan Cusack put winger Shay McCarthy in for a second Young Munster try despite the protests from the away side.
Ten minutes into the second half Young Munster were awarded a penalty try for a deliberate knock on and Ballynahinch lost two men to the sin bin.
Given the disruption before the match, to be twenty one points behind and down to thirteen men with half an hour to go could easily have seen heads go down.
But they fronted up, tearing into the home side and were unlucky not to get on the scoreboard themselves while stopping Young Munster from earning what looked like an inevitable bonus point.
Every season contains a difficult week like this and Ballynahinch are still building the kind of depth that is required to counter it.
They face a crucial home fixture with Dublin University this weekend as they look to steady the ship and kick on towards the final block of fixtures starting on March 25th at champions Clontarf.
Saturday’s fixture is being broadcast live by league sponsors Energia and will kick-off at 4pm.
Ballynahinch 1-20: Nacho Cladera, Claytan Milligan, Kyle McCall, Tommy Donnan (capt), Bradley Luney, Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, Zack McCall, Chris Gibson, Jack Milligan, Harry Hitchens, Ryan Wilson, George Pringle, Ethan Graham, Greg Hutley, Josh Hanlon, Joe Charles, Kyle Gill, Conor McAuley, Arthur Johnston.
***
Ballynahinch RFC Round-up for 25/02/2023
Davy Harris took his second XV to face Irish Junior Cup winners Clogher Valley in the Towns Cup and they competed well against a very well-drilled outfit.
They lost 27-5 but can take heart from a committed performance ahead of a Junior Cup group stage fixture vs Ballymena at home this weekend.
The thirds continue to feel the benefit of some home comforts after a run of difficult away fixtures.
They beat a dogged Carrick side 17-15 and have three more home games to finish the season as they slowly climb the table.
The 5ths continued their winning run with a 12 try demolition of Armagh 4ths ahead of a visit to Lurgan this weekend for a top of the table clash.
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 Clifton Quinn for details on 07501228045.
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 David Martin – Mini Convenor on 07837944892 or email hinchminis@gmail.com
The final two pre-match lunches are officially SOLD OUT.
Results 25/02/2023.
Young Munster 21 Ballynahinch 0 (AIL Div 1A)
Clogher Valley 25 Ballynahinch 2 7 (Towns Cup)
Ballynahinch 3 17 Carrick 2 15 (Provincial Prem1)
Ballynahinch 4 w/o vs Malone 3 (Regional East1)
Ballynahinch 5 80 Armagh 4 26 (Regional South 1)
Fixture 28/02/2023.
Ballynahinch vs Dungannon (U21/Academy Cup)
Fixtures 01/03/2023.
Ballynahinch 3 vs Armagh 3 (Provincial Prem1)
Ballynahinch U16 vs Bangor U16 (Bowl SF)
Fixtures 04/03/2023.
Ballynahinch vs Dublin University (AIL 1A)
Ballynahinch 2 vs Ballymena 2 (Junior Cup)
Enniskillen 2 vs Ballynahinch 3 (Crawford Plate)
Ballynahinch 4 vs Belfast Harlequins 3 (Regional East 1)
Lurgan 2 vs Ballynahinch 5 vs (Regional South 1)
Coleraine U14 vs Ballynahinch U14 (Cup)
