Ballynahinch cause sensation in Dublin

Ballynahinch cause sensation in Dublin

5 October 2022

BALLYNAHINCH travelled to Dublin for their opening AIL 1A fixture against perennial challengers Lansdowne and pulled off a sensational result having been dismissed as 28 point underdogs by the bookmakers. 

The locals have traditionally struggled on the artificial surface at the Aviva back pitch but have a side full of pace this season and played some superb running rugby to bring home a full five point haul.

Adam Craig was able to call on the services of Ulster Academy duo George Saunderson and Conor McKee and had Irish Sevens flier Fergus Jemphrey released to make his AIL debut. 

Zack McCall started in the back row as Clayton Milligan continued at hooker with veteran James Simpson partnering skipper Tommy Donnan in the engine room.

Lansdowne sprinted out of the blocks and gained an early advantage with a score from a driving maul. 

Greg Hutley reduced the advantage to two points with a crisply struck penalty but the hosts went further ahead with a close range score after a period of pressure deep in Ballynahinch territory. 

Mark Best then picked a great line to score under the posts after his forwards had almost battered their way over. However, the influential centre had to depart moments later with a shoulder injury with Rory Butler moving into midfield and teenager Ethan Graham coming off the bench at full back.

Lansdowne then scored an excellent try after a half break and offload in midfield allowed them to get behind the Ballynahinch defence and it was crucial that they didn’t move any further ahead. 

Jemphrey reined them in again by closing the door on an ambitious Lansdowne counter-attack, using all his pace and power to intercept on half way and touch down. 

On the stroke of half-time Ballynahinch delved into their playbook for a superb set piece move from a scrum on halfway. 

Butler ran a great dummy line with Hutley drifting wide to feed a flying George Pringle, who burst through and stepped the full back for a brilliant try and the half-time lead.

Pringle was at it again in moments after the restart when he charged in from distance after being fed by Butler and powering through the challenge of his opposite number, Irish Sevens veteran Mark Roche. 

Having scored 21 unanswered points, Ballynahinch were now 12 points up but the inevitable Lansdowne backlash arrived around the hour mark with a superb sideline to sideline try involving slick hands and offloading in midfield. 

Ten minutes later the home side were level after some route one work by their forwards saw them drive over beside the posts. 

At this point Lansdowne were favourites with ten minutes left on the clock and Ballynahinch tiring. 

However, the Ballynahinch regrouped and forced their way to the Lansdowne 22 where the inspirational Donnan won a penalty after another hard carry into heavy traffic. 

Hutley, whose kicking was the difference between the sides, stepped up to slot the three points and nudge his side in front. 

The closing minutes of the match were not without alarm but Ballynahinch held on for a famous win and they will go into Saturday’s home fixture against newly promoted Shannon high on confidence. 

All support welcome at Ballymacarn Park.

Ballynahinch 1-21: G Saunderson, C Milligan, K McCall, J Simpson, T Donnan (capt), Z McCall, B Luney, J McCartney, C McKee, G Hutley, F Jemphrey, M Best, G Pringle, A Cairns, R Butler, C Piper, J Dickson, T Martin, M Connolly, C McCauley, E Graham.