Understrength Ballynahinch battle hard against Clontarf

Understrength Ballynahinch battle hard against Clontarf

22 January 2025

ADAM Craig took his patched-up Ballynahinch side to Clontarf hoping for a first ever victory at their Castle Avenue fortress.

The titanic tussle with Terenure had added key men Claytan Milligan, Callum Smyth and Mark Best to an already lengthy list of absentees while Ulster’s long injury list meant only four players were released to the squad.

The well-deserved call-up for Tom McCallister to the Irish U-21 camp compounded the situation.

However, Matthew Burke and Goerge Pringle returned and Ballynahinch travelled in good spirits. The artificial surface combined with a perfect January afternoon promised a fast game of high octane rugby.

Clontarf, by their own admission, were at ‘full metal jacket’ strength, with a European Cup weekend allowing Leinster to play all their internationals and release squad players back to clubs.

Rising midfield star Hugh Cooney, part of the Ireland Six Nations camp, and lock Brian Deeney bolstered an already formidable side including the abrasive Soroka brothers and skipper Dylan Donnellan. 

Ballynahinch supporters were of the opinion that they had never seen a forward pack of such size and power and with similarly enormous replacements ready to come on it promised to be a difficult afternoon.

The teams exchanged penalties in bright sunshine as Ballynahinch more than held their own in the opening quarter.

An excellent crossfield kick from James Humphreys then put Ronan Patterson over for the opening try.

A ped restart unfortunately conceded possession straight back to the hosts, who eventually worked winger James McKeown over in the corner to level things up. 

Powerhouse No 8 John Vinson then made a massive break up the middle of the field, leading to another score and all the good work from the away side was undone.

Ballynahjnch managed to gather themselves and Conor Rankin kicked a long range penalty to bring them within four points at the interval.

The visitors continued to battle gamely in the third quarter, conceding another try but staying in touch via the boot of Rankin.

However, the final quarter proved to be one-way traffic as the power of the Clontarf bench took its toll on an exhausted Ballynahinch side.

They conceded four more converted tries to give the scoreline a lopsided look, but can have no real complaints.

They battled hard against a formidable outfit and must now regroup and see who is still standing after four exceptionally tough matches which yielded just two league points.

A top four place remains achievable and a win at UCD on Saturday would swing the momentum of the season back in their favour. All support welcome.

Ballynahinch (1-21): Matthew Burke, Kelvin Hamilton, John Dickson, Will Hopes, Declan Horrox, Bryn Ward, Zack McCall, Bradley Luney (capt), Conor McKee, James Humphreys, Ethan Graham, George Pringle, Matthew Booth, Ronan Patterson, Conor Rankin, Will Alexander, Harry McCormick, Ronan McCusker, Peter Heasley, Ruairi Meharg, Paul Kerr.