Ballynahinch Firsts secure a win against Armagh
AIL Division 1A.
Final Score: Ballynahinch 7 Armagh 0.
Ballynahinch edged out their local rivals Armagh in a full-blooded AIL derby to kick start their season after a distinctly underwhelming Ulster League campaign in which they suffered defeats by Dungannon and Malone to lose their grip on the Stevenson Shield writes James Kirk.
Adam Craig and his coaching team have all returned to action and the club has recruited well over the summer so it has been a difficult month for the club as its dominant status in Ulster has been challenged.
Matthew Booth scores during the opening AIL Round 1 clash between Ballynahinch and Armagh at Ballymacarn Park, Ballynahinch, County Down, Northern Ireland. Photo: John Dickson / Dickson Digital
Armagh certainly arrived with confidence bordering on arrogance and the large and vocal home support were delighted to send them home with some well chosen words of advice.
Craig lost the services of influential centre Mark Best and with his midfield partner George Pringle also out the versatile Paul Kerr partnered Matthew Booth in midfield.
Chris Gibson was a late call-up for Ruari Meharg at scrumhalf and there were AIL debuts for outhalf Harry McKeown and flanker Peter Heasley.
Marcus Rea and Ben Moxham were released by Ulster to play and both played their part, as did a strong bench containing the likes of Callum Smyth, Ronan McCusker, Tom McCallister and Zack McCall.
The game was a typical derby with plenty of big hits and defences on top.
Ballynahinch took the lead in the 26th minute through Booth after some excellent interplay between backs and forwards and a fine assist from McKeown.
They won the possession and territory stats and increasingly dominated the set piece as the game wore on but were unable to translate this into scores and had to withstand a late Armagh barrage to eke out a crucial win.
A tough trip to champions Cork Constitution awaits in round two this weekend.
Ballynahinch 1-22: John Dickson Jnr, Claytan Milligan, Kyle McCall, Kyle Gill, Declan Horrox, Marcus Rea, Peter Heasley, Bradley Luney, Chris Gibson, Harry McKeown, Ethan Graham, Paul Kerr, Matthew Booth, Ben Moxham, Conor Rankin, Kelvin Hamilton, Calum Smyth, Tom McAllister, Ronan MCusker, Zack McCall, Arthur Johnston.
Kyle Gill during the opening AIL Round 1 clash between Ballynahinch and Armagh at Ballymacarn Park, Ballynahinch, County Down, Northern Ireland. (Photos: John Dickson / Dickson Digital).
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Ballynahinch RFC Club Notes For 21 9 2024
The next AIL home fixture is October 5th vs St.Mary’s. Pre-match lunch seats can be booked via 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 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 Kenny Morton – Mini Convenor on 07813157614 or email:
Results 21/09/2024
Ballynahinch 7 Armagh 0 (AIL Division 1A)
Ballynahinch 2 14 Armagh 20(2nd XV League)
Dungannon 3 0 Ballynahinch 4 52 (Provincial South)
Enniskillen U18 5 Ballynahinch U18 38
Enniskillen U16 0 Ballynahinch U16 40
Enniskillen U14 43 Ballynahinch U14 24
Fixtures 28/09/2024
Cork Con vs Ballynahinch (AIL Division 1A)
Dungannon vs Ballynahinch (Women’s Premiership) Sun 2pm
Instonians 2 vs Ballynahinch 2 (Junior Cup)
Ballynahinch 3 vs Dromore 2 (Provincial Premier 1)
Monaghan 2 vs Ballynahinch 5 (Regional South)
Ballynahinch Youth vs Portadown Youth 11am
Photo John Dickson.
Pic 851 Ben Moxham
Pic 853 Matthew Booth scores the Hinch Try
Pic 844 Kyle Gill secures quality ball from the lineout
Pic 846 Marcus Rea battles to retain possession
Pic 848 Ethan Graham in open space
