Ballynahinch hurt by Armagh

Ballynahinch hurt by Armagh

4 January 2017

A DEPLETED Ballynahinch made the journey to Palace Grounds in Armagh to take on the full strength home team in the continuation of the SONI Ulster Premiership top flight clash on Saturday.

With Armagh having been thrown out of the First Trust Senior Cup at the semi-final stage after a complaint over an ineligible player that they fielded, saw defeated semi-finalists Dungannon reinstated, this match was always going to be Armagh’s Cup final and the Orchard County faithful were quick to point this out to the travelling fans.

Armagh started strongly with their full All-Ireland contingent and quickly laid down their intentions for the rest of the match, making some big breaks through the ‘Hinch defence, which was well stretched.

Ballynahinch had been stretched to find a competitive 15 through injury and unavailability and with the second XV taking on strong local rivals Dromore at Ballymacarn Park, it was an understrength ‘Hinch side that turned out.

Armagh were first on the scoresheet through an excellent break from full back McNeice, who offloaded to centre partner Faloon who returned the ball for the 15 to dot down. Out half Cormac Fox added the extras and the scene was set for the rest of the day.

With the ‘Hinch defence constantly tested by surging Armagh attacks, there were two more tries for the home side before an excellent move from ‘Hinch saw them win the ball back from the kick off.

They moved it quickly through the fast attacking backs, supported by Stewart Evans, who made a big individual carry to offload to the up and coming Chris Orr who dotted down for the visitors first score, with Quinn adding the extras. 

Armagh had the final say of the half from an dubious offside position which referee Jonny Erskine let go, with a converted John Faloon try.

The second half saw Armagh reinvigorate their attack with another early try and with the referee heavily penalising the ‘Hinch under the new high tackle rules, where any tackle deemed to be above chest height is a straight penalty, there was no luck for the Ballymacarn men to be had.

With Armagh coached by rugby consultant Brian McLaughlin, it was an unusual sight to see his son Callum take the field for Ballynahinch and with his first touch of the ball, the young McLaughlin broke into the Armagh 22 with a kick and chase, only for the play to be again penalised as he attempted to recover the ball.

On 54 minutes the referee’s patience was broken and he yellow carded Armagh full back McNeice for persistent high tackles. 

‘Hinch immediately took advantage of the extra man and the penalty as they kicked to the corner and with Kenny Morton able to easily win ball at the line out, Hinch opted for a rolling maul, which crossed the Armagh line and substitute hooker Andrew Harper came up with the spoils, with Quinn adding the extras, 35-14.

‘Hinch now felt the wrath of the referee and saw two yellow cards for Davy Nicholson and Jordan Grattan and with Armagh also back at full strength, they punished the visitors, using the extra men and their formidable back row to run in two further tries, with the extremely reliable boot of Cormac Fox adding the extras and another penalty to completely close out the match for the home side and cross the 50 point mark.

Overall, this was always going to be a difficult match for the understrength Ballymacarn Park men and a full strength All-Ireland Armagh side punished the visitors. Coach Derek Suffern will be working the ‘Hinch hard on the training park ahead of the visit of Banbridge on Saturday for the next stage of the SONI Premiership. 

The Ballymacarn faithful will be expecting a different result on Saturday as the home side continue to compete for the Stevenson Shield to add to the Senior Cup title.

Armagh 52

Ballynahinch 14

ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE