Ballynahinch’s quest for survival not over

Ballynahinch’s quest for survival not over

12 February 2025

BALLYNAHINCH Olympic were denied the chance to secure a dramatic comeback and progress in their hunt for survival when they were narrowly beaten at home to Shankill United.

The visitors claimed the advantage in the first half, opening their account when Kyle McGuiggan found the top corner.

They continued to push forward, aiming to build on their positive start, and went two goals to the good when Mark McDowell netted shortly after the second half commenced.

Olympic called the result into doubt with a thunderous Owen Madine strike in the latter stages of the second half and began to ask serious questions of the opposition defence. 

With stoppage time nearing its conclusion, the hosts were adamant they should have received a penalty for handball, but the referee was having none of it and with that, their chance for a confidence-boosting point was up in smoke. 

Ballynahinch struggled to get forward in the early exchanges and sensing an opportunity, Shankill went for throat from the off.

The first half-chance fell their way and although David Graham’s shot lacked serious conviction, it provided an early test for makeshift goalkeeper Niall Flanagan. 

United should have got off the mark when Jake McKeown found space in the centre of the box, but his effort was straight at Flanagan.

It took 10 minutes for the home side to create their first chance and they were truly unlucky to not snatch the lead against the run of play.

Ryan Walsh knocked a long ball down to the feet of Shea Quinn and he would have scored, if not for a vital deflection sending the ball over the crossbar.

Opportunities proved elusive for Ballynahinch after that and it was not long before their opponents made one of their slick passing moves count.

McKeown chested the ball into the path of McGuiggan and with only the ‘keeper to beat, he took it on the half-volley and sent a rocket into the stanchion.

Shankill did not sit back admiring their opener and instead, immediately went in search of a second.

It still remains to be seen how they did not consolidate their leading position, with an unmarked Brian Dickson firing wide at the back post.

The away side were convinced they should have been in receipt of a spot kick in the 39th minute, with Dickson going down in pursuit of a loose ball in the Ballynahinch box.

He went to ground when a sprawling Flanagan attempted to tip away and despite the referee not issuing a yellow card, he indicated it was a dive. 

Still, Shankill went into the break as the happier of the two sides and with Olympic trailing, a strong start to the second half would have been a priority.

That was not to be and while they had survived a penalty scare, they jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. 

A sublime display of skill saw McDowell his shoulder, leave his marker in a spin and place a finessed effort into the bottom corner.

Olympic proved their resilience after conceding for the second time and began to look like a different team altogether.

Ryan Walsh hit the post directly from a corner after 74 minutes and while question marks remain over whether it was deliberate or not, his effort led to a deficit-reducing goal.

The ball was cleared and landed at the feet of Madine, who sent a long range strike sailing past ‘keeper Ben Nicholl to give the hosts a fighting chance. 

United were not going to take the attempted fight-back lying down though, and called Flanagan into action once more.

McKeown nutmegged Michael Rice and drove into the box, forcing the Ballynahinch number one to tip over the bar. 

The resulting corner came to nothing and with Olympic regaining control of possession, they bombarded the Shankill box in hunt of a late leveller.

Walsh’ whipped a 93rd minute free kick into the danger area and as the ball landed at the feet of Jake Madine, his powerful strike seemed to have struck the arm of a scrambling defender. 

However, the referee waved away the home shouts for a penalty, claiming the ball had made contact with a chest. 

Ballynahinch Olympic were furious with the denial and will be frustrated to miss out on a share of the points. 

They will be hoping to go at least one step further against Dunmurry Rec — the team that occupies the final safety spot — next Saturday.

Ballynahinch: N Flanagan, C Barlow, M Rice, J Noade (captain), C Reid, J Roddy, O Madine, S Quinn, R Walsh, J Fennell, S King.

Subs: L Burns, J Madine, G McMullan.

Shankill: B Nicholl, B Dickson, W Armstrong (captain), J Cowan, J Young, K McGuiggan, M McDowell, J Anderson, J McKeown, D Graham, D Houston.

Subs: J Owens, J Clarke, L Galashan.