UBL Match Report for 20 February 2016
Young Munster 7 Ballynahinch 6
Richard Hart reporting from Tom Clifford Park
Young Munster dug deep to see off Ballynahinch’s challenge on a 7-6 score line in Tom Clifford Park in Limerick. With further poor weather conditions through the week, Young Munster left it very late to confirm whether the match would be played at their home ground or at a back-up venue in Dooradoyle.
Third-placed Young Munster have opened up a nine-point lead on Garryowen, who currently hold the fourth and final play-off place, after their match last week against Galwegians and David Corkery’s side sit just three points off the top of Division 1A.
The Cookies had to work very hard to beat the County Down outfit at Tom Clifford Park where despite the strong wind, an attritional game of rugby was fought out in ever worsening conditions.
Hinch were first to have the wind at their backs and penalties by winger Chris Quinn after 4 and 24 minutes had them in front. Even though they were down to 14 men for a spell, they ferociously held onto their 6-0 advantage up to half-time.
Young Munster started the second half with the wind at their backs and it took just nine minutes after a series of close-in scrums, the Limerick City side were awarded a penalty try which out-half Gearoid Lyons converted.
The home side, who also had a player sin-binned, were unable to add to their tally in what turned out to be a real dogfight, fought in good spirit to the bitter end as Hinch consistently tried to broach a dogged Cookies defence.
Ballynahinch Coach Derek Suffern was very complimentary of his players and was delighted with how well they had played in very difficult conditions and particularly how close they had come to winning, through the huge commitment they had shown on the pitch.
Final Score: Young Munster 7 Ballynahinch 6
BALLYNAHINCH: Manihera Eden, Chris Quinn, Jordan Grattan, Robin Harte, Aaron Cairns, James McBriar, Paul Rowley, Craig Trenier, Andrew Harper, Jonny Simpson, John Donnan, Jonny Madden, Conor Joyce, Paul Pritchard (Capt), Mike Graham.
