Reaney saves the day with penalty to deny Armagh

17 October 2018

THE first All-Ireland League home match of the season brought poor conditions to Ballymacarn Park for the visit of Ulster rivals City of Armagh.

Incessant rain and strong winds meant an arm wrestle between the forwards and kicking for position became the order of the day.

Ballynahinch had no Ulster releases and continue to have a long injury list, but were able to welcome back fullback Connor Kelly for his first appearance of the season.

Rhys O’Donnell continued at scrum half with Aaron Cairns captaining the side from the wing. Armagh were largely at full strength with influential number 8 Neil Faloon passed fit.

Armagh took an early lead with a penalty from promising young out-half Cormac Fox.

The game then became entrenched around the halfway line with both sides either unwilling or unable to put any width on the ball due to the conditions.

Armagh edged the possession and territory, but with defences well drilled on both sides it looked like only a mistake would provide any try-scoring opportunity on either side.

There were a few fumbles from speculative kicks on both sides but defences were able to scramble into place and snuff out any chances relatively comfortably to leave the half-time score at 3-0.

The second half brought more of the same. Ballynahinch had to withstand a period of sustained Armagh possession, but did so without any major alarms.

However, they were unable to stamp any real authority of their own on proceedings and as the match drifted into its later stages it seemed that Armagh had done enough to escape with a famous win.

Former Armagh man Richard Reaney had other ideas and he converted a penalty in the final minute to earn the home side a draw.

Armagh will be happier with the result, but the Ballynahinch players and coaches will take the two points and move on to the tricky trip to Old Belvedere next week.

The final round of the Celtic Cup took place last weekend, freeing up Ulster squad members for club rugby, but it remains to be seen how soon they become available. The depth of the club squad will continue to be tested over the coming weeks.

Ballynahinch 3

City of Armagh 3

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISON 1B

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