Omagh 12 Ballynahinch 22
Senior Cup Quarter Final
James Kirk reports from Omagh.
A rivalry was renewed on Saturday as Ballynahinch travelled to Omagh for the first time in many years at first team level.
This was always a key fixture 30 years ago when both clubs were plying their trade at Junior level but the clubs have been on a different pathway for much of the intervening three decades. Omagh’s recent renaissance has been great for rugby in the west and the Hinch supporters were delighted to renew old acquaintances. The welcome on the pitch was characteristically ferocious and given the list of players unavailable and the trying circumstances which developed on the day Brian McLaughlin will be relatively pleased with the victory despite the scoreline being closer than many had expected.
Ballynahinch took an early lead through the boot of Sean O’Hagan but conceded a soft try moments later at the front of the lineout. The game was then delayed for some time when Hinch centre Rory Butler, just back from a shoulder knock, went down with a serious ankle injury. The game was eventually moved to another pitch while Butler was attended to by paramedics.
Ballynahinch got back in front when Connor Phillips scored but Omagh continued to come at the Division 1A side and when they scored again to take a 12-10 lead the home supporters sensed a famous victory. However, Ballynahinch closed the game out with scores from Jonny MCoubrey and Rhys O’Donnell and had they finished more accurately given the number of line breaks they created, the scoreline could have been more comfortable. Omagh mustered a late charge but the Hinch defence and superior fitness levels kept them at arm’s length. The Semi-Final will be against Dungannon at home in the new year.
