It’s all over by half time

It’s all over by half time

31 January 2024

UCD felt the wrath of a Ballynahinch side still smarting from the circumstances of their defeat by Young Munster as the home side ran riot to put the game to bed by the hour mark. 

Cormac Izuchukwu and Marcus Rea were released to start and the increasingly lethal Aaron Sexton continued to dazzle on the wing. 

Ethan McIlroy made his long awaited Ballynahinch debut as he continues his comeback from injury on Ulster duty and the evergreen Aaron Cairns made his 150th AIL appearance, leading the team out as they faced up to an almost full strength student outfit playing with the conditions in the first half.

The locals conceded an early penalty and then shrugged off the loss of prop James French to injury by taking the lead through a typical hard line and step from centre George Pringle. 

Strong defence and superb ball retention largely kept the students at bay before a UCD yellow card allowed them to turn the screw and exploit the extra man to work Cairns over for a popular try.

Turning round with the elements the home support knew that an early score would set them on their way and when UCD earned another yellow card the floodgates opened. 

Claytan Milligan continued his prolific season with a try from a driving maul and straight from the kickoff Sexton pounced on a loose ball on halfway and cruised over to earn the bonus point and kill the game off. 

Mark Best opened his box of tricks to instigate waves of attacking play and McIlroy was next to score, cutting back inside and stepping his way over after a quick tap from Conor McKee.

Bradley Luney iced the game just after the hour mark when he ran a typical support line to take an inside pass and score following a great counter-attack involving McIlroy, Best and Sexton. 

A demoralised UCD eventually managed to score a late consolation as Ballynahinch visibly took their foot off the gas in the final quarter but they were well beaten in all areas of the match. 

Ballynahinch have a week off to rest up before a titanic encounter with leaders Clontarf at Castle Avenue as the season enters its final third. 

Ballynahinch: Kyle McCall (capt), Claytan Milligan, James French, Bradley Luney, Cormac Izuchukwu, Callum Irvine, Zack McCall, Marcus Rea, Conor McKee, Dominic Clapcott, Aaron Cairns, Mark Best, George Pringle, Aaron Sexton, Ethan McIlroy, Josh Hanlon, John Dickson, Declan Horrox, Reuben Crothers, Chris Gibson, Paul Kerr.

Ballynahinch 40

UCD 13

AIL DIVISION 1A