BALLYNAHINCH suffered heartbreak on Saturday in their battle to avoid relegation from the ultra competitive AIL Division 1A as their Dublin opponents stole the result at the death, despite a much-improved Ballynahinch performance.
The artificial surface at Aviva Stadium’s back pitch was the venue and the large travelling support braved Storm Jorge to roar their men on.
It looked like turning into a famous victory until powerful Leinster Academy hooker Dan Sheehan drove over in the dying moments of a hard-fought match to seal victory for the home side and avenge their seven try thumping at Ballymacarn Park in November.
Brian McLaughlin had made a few changes to his starting back line with Aaron Cairns moving into scrum half and Greg Hutley earning his first AIL start at out half. Ryan Wilson returned at inside centre and Conor Rankin came in on the wing with Ross Adair at full back.
Up front, Bradley Luney continued in the number seven jersey with Conall Boomer on the bench as his recovery from a knee ligament injury continues to be managed.
The match itself was a tight affair, dictated by a difficult, swirling wind and Ballynahinch did superbly well to overcome the concession of a try to Lansdowne flyer Peter Sullivan and the sin-binning of Luney, to lead 6-5 at half-time thanks to two well-taken penalties from Hutley.
The defence in particular was vastly improved and this continued in the second half as the game turned into a real dogfight with defence on top.
Skipper John Donnan and his fellow lock Jack Regan led the way with outstanding work in defence and huge work rate around the park with Chris Gibson having an impressive stint off the bench at scrum-half, but a penalty at a ruck around half way allowed Lansdowne to work themselves into an excellent field position as the game reached its conclusion and they manufactured the winning score.
The losing bonus point kept the locals well in touch with their fellow strugglers, Trinity and University College Cork as both lost at home.
Terenure’s victory at the Mardyke looks to have pulled them clear of any relegation issues and although Ballynahinch are bottom of the table on 20 points, they remain just one behind UCC and three behind Trinity.
The next two games against high flying Garryowen and UCD will be a huge challenge before a blockbuster home game against UCC on March 28. All support welcome.