Ballynahinch fall to narrow defeat away to Dolphin

Ballynahinch fall to narrow defeat away to Dolphin

4 December 2013

BALLYNAHINCH travelled to Musgrave Park in Cork to face Dolphin in the seventh round of the Ulster Bank League.

On a perfect pitch in great condition and in excellent weather, both sides looked forward to the opportunity to run the ball.

It took just 23 seconds before referee Peter Fitzgibbon awarded the games first penalty. Dolphin’s Rory Scannell missing the kickable opportunity.

However, ‘Hinch full back David McIlwaine had an even easier opportunity three minutes later, which again was pushed wide.

‘Hinch were full of running in the opening stages and McIlwaine made up for his earlier miss with a penalty in the eighth minute to take the County Down side 3-0 clear.

In the 26th minute Dolphin were awarded a penalty 10 metres from the ‘Hinch line. Christy Condon asked for the reset. From the resultant scrum Rory Scannell almost made the line before USA back row international John Quill picked up from the ruck to score. Scannell added the extras to take the home side 7-3 in front.

Within four minutes Ballynahinch had hit back with a wonderful team try, Kyle McCall smashing his way past two defenders to cross the line after the Hinch had built their attack through a number of phases. The conversion was missed but the Hinch had pushed 8-7 ahead.

Dolphin earned a penalty and Scannell put it into touch well within the ‘Hinch 22. Darren O’Shea took the line-out, which was quickly delivered to centre Cian Bohane, who crossed the line and scored under the posts with Scannell adding the conversion for a 14-8 lead.

Dolphin lost influential back row John Fitzgerald with a serious leg injury just two minutes later, but they continued to dominate the game and a clever cross field kick from Scannell to James Kiernan created an opportunity for their to chase ball for the touch down. The score went unconverted leaving Dolphin 19-8 in front at the break.

In the 45th minute Dolphin second row Darren O’Shea was yellow-carded deliberately slowing ‘Hinch ball 10 metres from his line. Harry McAleese took a quick penalty, sending Ross Adair clear to score. McIlwaine added the extras to close the gap to 19-15.

Dolphin kept ‘Hinch scoreless for the remainder of the sin bin and in the 60th minute the position was reversed when a penalty in the visitors’ 22 led to a further yellow card for Paul Pritchard for not releasing the tackled player. Scannell converted to extend the lead to 22-15.

In the 72nd minute Dolphin second row Dave O’Mahony received a yellow card for not releasing the tackled player and from the penalty McIlwaine closed the gap to four points.

Dolphin had the final say when Scannell kicked another penalty in the 76th minute, leaving a final score of 25-18 to the home side, but ‘Hinch had picked up another hard fought losing bonus point away from home.

This was a good performance from the ‘Hinch men with David McIlwaine and Ross Adair in good form for the backs, while Kyle McCall and Dominic Gallagher went well up front.

St. Mary’s also earned themselves a losing bonus point against Old Belvedere, while Garryowen lost heavily at home to Lansdowne, so there is no change in the positioning of the bottom three clubs.

This Saturday ‘Hinch with have a tough encounter against Clontarf at Ballymacarn Park. It will be the first meeting between the two clubs with the County Down men wanting to make sure they make their home advantage count.

Dolphin 25

Ballynahinch 18

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE