Away day delight as Ballynahinch outgun Armagh

20 December 2023

AFTER a week spent licking their wounds following defeat to Young Munster at home a derby trip to a hostile Palace Grounds offered Ballynahinch the perfect opportunity to simultaneously reassert their playoff credentials and condemn their Ulster rivals to a fifth consecutive league defeat.

They were made to dig deep by a fired-up Armagh side but class eventually told and a bonus point win was the perfect end to the first half of the AIL season.

Adam Craig lost the services of Bryn Ward and Ethan Graham to Ireland U-20 call ups but was able to welcome back Aaron Cairns, Tommy Donnan and Josh Hanlon back to the squad.

Mark Best also recovered from a knee problem in time to renew his successful midfield partnership with George Pringle, recently returned from a successful stint in the FOSROC series with Watsonians.

Armagh took the lead with an early try before Ballynahinch hit back through Aaron Sexton and penalties were exchanged to leave the Co Down men two points clear as the game began to settle down.

Claytan Milligan then added another try to his prolific season just before half-time to take his team seven points ahead at the break. Having weathered the expected physical onslaught Ballynahinch supporters were optimistic that their side could push on for the win.

The home side had other ideas and upped the physicality at the start of the second half. Ballynahinch also began to get on the wrong side of the referee and were penalised heavily at the scrum conceding possession and field position to their opponents who scored a converted try and penalty to lead going into the final quarter of the match.

To their credit, Ballynahinch worked their way back into the game and when they were awarded a penalty try following a series of mauls they had a lead that wouldn’t be reversed as a strong ‘Hinch bench made its presence felt before Best put Pringle away to seal the victory and the bonus point in the final minute leading to wild celebrations in the ‘Hinch dressing room.

The second XV had a superb victory over Armagh themselves and were on hand to join in as bragging rights and AIL points headed back to Ballymacarn Park where the teams will reconvene on January 13 to do it all again.

This weekend the big Ulster derbies continue with the visit of high-flying Instonians in the Senior Cup. All support welcome for a festive fixture.

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

City of Armagh 18

Ballynahinch 29

AIL DIVISION 1A

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