Ballynahinch Firsts Lose By A Point To Young Munster
AIL League,
Final Score: Young Munster 26 Ballynahinch 25.
If Ballynahinch fail to push on into the playoff positions at the end of the season, Adam Craig and his coaching staff will have black and yellow nightmares as they were mugged for the second time in the AIL and third time this season by a Young Munster side that fights to the bitter end of every match writes James Kirk.
Fresh from two superb performances against Armagh, Ballynahinch travelled south with a solid side and ripped into their hosts in the first half, taking the lead through a Callum Irvine score after just five minutes.
Their hosts came straight back with a score of their own but were powerless to prevent Ballynahinch flying out to a big lead as they attacked from everywhere and scored quick-fire tries through Aaron Sexton, Jack Milligan and Aaron Cairns to secure a bonus point on the 26th minute and build a fifteen point cushion.
Crucially, Young Munster scored before half-time to close the gap and set the scene for their massive pack to tighten up the game in the second half and when they went over early in the second period the home crowd sensed that it was only a matter of time before the comeback was complete.
Conor McKee knocked over a penalty to keep the Ballynahinch lead at six points and a heroic performance from the Ballynahinch forwards against their much heavier opponents kept them ahead until the final stages when Young Munster got over the line to close the gap to one point with the conversion to come.
The only person in the ground who thought the kick was over was unfortunately the one that mattered – the touch judge on the outside post.
The home side closed out the win and sent Ballynahinch home with two bonus points instead of the five a win would have earned. They have a right to feel aggrieved but on reflection could have managed the game better in the second half as their kicking game deserted them.
All is not lost in the chase for the playoffs with four home games still to play and a win is crucial this weekend with UCD the visitors.
All support is welcome.
Ballynahinch 1-21: Kyle McCall (capt), Claytan Milligan, James French, Bradley Luney, Declan Horrox, Reuben Crothers, Zack McCall, Callum Irvine, Conor McKee, Jack Milligan, Aaron Cairns, Mark Best, George Pringle, Aaron Sexton, Paul Kerr, Josh Hanlon, John Dickson, Kyle Gill, Bryn Ward, Chris Gibson, Dominic Clapcott.
Ballynahinch Ladies Scoop Win Over City Of Derry
The result of the weekend was the superb away win for the Women’s XV over City of Derry.
Returning centre Jemima Johnston and her midfield partner, player-coach Rachel Morton were the try scorers with Morton going in from long-range for her second after an interception in the final minute to give Shel Laffin the opportunity convert the try and close out the win.
Storm Isha provided some excitement for the bus trip home amid the celebrations!
Dromore ended the Seconds interest in the Towns Cup but there were excellent wins for the thirds and fourths in their Crawford and Forster Cup fixtures.
Pre-match lunches are filling up fast. To book a place at an AIL lunch contact James Shaw on 07740308051Â Â
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:
Results 20/01/2024
Young Munster 26 Ballynahinch 25 (AIL Division 1A)
City of Derry 15 Ballynahinch 17 (Women’s Premiership)
Dromore 35 Ballynahinch 19 (Towns Cup)
Banbridge 3 19 Ballynahinch 3 29 (Crawford Cup)
Ballynahinch 4 50 Cooke 2 3 (Forster Cup)
Ballynahinch/Cooke U18 19 Carrick U18 33
Ballynahinch U16 26 Carrick U16 5
Ballynahinch U14 14 Carrick U14 50
Ballynahinch U12 40 Carrick U12 45
Fixtures 27/01/2024
Ballynahinch vs UCD (AIL Division 1A)
Ballynahinch 2 vs Clogher Valley 2 (2nd XV League)
Harlequins 2 vs Ballynahinch 3 (Provincial Prem 1)
Armagh 4 vs Ballynahinch 5 (McCambley Cup)
Carrick Youth vs Ballynahinch Youth 11am.
