Mighty Quinn powers ‘Hinch

5 October 2016

IT was a bright and sunny afternoon, coupled with a blustery breeze from the clubhouse end, as Ballynahinch got back to winning ways with a two-try 18-12 dismissal of a durable Shannon side at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday.

Ballynahinch were hit with four last-minute changes as Conor Joyce, Jonny McPhillips — both Ulster — Jordan Grattan and Chris Stevenson all became unavailable.

A combination of strong running and crisp passing created a 13th minute overlap for Shannon’s former Australia U-20 lock Riley Winter to score his first try since his move north.

This was the story of the half as the Limerick side, clearly desperate to get a win chalked up, took the match to the County Down side.

The visitors’ unconverted effort had them leading 5-3 at the end of a first half full of attacking rugby, but was becoming apparent was the difference in fitness levels between the two sides. A lone penalty from the erstwhile Chris Quinn was all ‘Hinch could muster while playing with the wind.

Coach Derek Suffern clearly made an impact with his half-time team talk and ‘Hinch came out of the starting blocks with gusto.

They made amends with an almost immediate try when play resumed. Ulster recruit Angus Lloyd, making his second league start for ‘Hinch, showed a clean pair of heels to the Shannon defence and set up left winger Quinn to make it 8-5.

Quinn knocked over his second successful penalty in the 57th minute, punishing a Tony Cusack infringement, and the gap was out to 13 points after centre Davy Nicholson used turnover ball to barge over out wide for a seven-pointer.

This was a sign of the increasing dominance of the Ballynahinch forwards, with Connor Phillips and John Donnan both making their presences felt throughout the game.

Nineteen year-old prop Jonny Blair overcame some early scrum problems to turn the screw on his opposite number, Tony Cusack, who was being repeated penalised at the set piece.

When replacement hooker Joe Roe came on for Andrew Harper and Blair was replaced by Kelvin Hamilton, the ‘Hinch scrum seemed unstoppable.

Shannon were quick to respond and barely a minute later a brilliantly executed chip and chase saw winger Shane Mullally cross the whitewash and Ronan McKenna convert.

‘Hinch dominated for the remainder of the match and a controlled period of play saw the Ballymacarn men play down the clock and further wear down an increasingly tired Shannon

team.

Try as they might, Marcus Horan’s charges could not get any closer and ‘Hinch duly pocketed a deserved second win of the campaign, moving them into a comfortable third place in the league.

Ballynahinch: Steve McCauley, Aaron Cairns, Davy Nicholson, Stuart Morrow, Chris Quinn, Ross Carlisle, Angus Lloyd Jonny Blair, Andrew Harper, Craig Trenier, James Simpson (capt), John Donnan, Lorcan Dow, Connor Phillips, Gareth Gill. Replacements: Kelvin Hamilton, Joe Roe, Stewart Evans, James McBriar, Justin Rea.

Shannon: Ronan McKenna, Nathan Randles, Will Leonard, Robert Deegan, Shane Mullally, Conor Fitzgerald, Jack Stafford, Conor Glynn, Ty Chan, Tony Cusack, Barrie Duggan, Riley Winter, Brian Downey, John Foley, Lee Nicholas (capt). Replacements: Jordan Prenderville, Dylan Murphy, James Vaughan, Sean Markham, Jack O’Donnell.

Ballynahinch scorers: tries — Chris Quinn, Davy Nicholson, conversion — Justin Rea; penalties — Chris Quinn (2).

Shannon scorers: tries — Riley Winter, Shane Mullally; conversion — Ronan McKenna.

Ballynahinch 18

Shannon 12

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE 1B

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