1st XV v Ballynahinch (A) by D. O’Brien – 05.10.2024
Ballynahinch RFC V St Mary’s College RFC
36 33
UB AIL Division 1 A
Ballymacarn Park
5th October 2024.
Overall
On the 4th October, a group of 14 Marys men came to Ballynahinch spurred by the warm memories of previous visits, with golf and a wonderfully generous social evening in nearby Newcastle. Declan Fanning and Paul Dean, led the golfing group; Garry Manning did a top-class job of the accommodation. The visitors were particularly indebted to two outstanding Hinch men (No not henchmen) Philip Gregg (Former top AIL points scorer, and Ulster Rugby President) and Paddy Hutley. They were extraordinarily generous and cordial, when, along with a number of their club colleagues, they entertained all, extravagantly at Paddy’s restaurant, Brunel’s. It was, once again, a truly memorable evening, extending on late into the night. Everyone was safely home to the hotel by 32 minutes past! (See photos). The next day once more, they entertained the group to the most delectable and enjoyable pre-match lunch. Hinch President, Trevor Patterson, made all feel welcome with a homely speech and emphasised the interclub friendship. In an equally positive and impressive address, St Marys’ President Paudge McGill reciprocated the feelings of friendship.
The game
Not since the noughties has a wind affected a St Mary’s College RFC, AIL game so much. This was a much anticipated encounter and in many ways it was worth the anticipation. These are two well moulded teams who showed in the end, the respect for each other was well deserved. They had two outstanding Ulster released players, Matty Rea at 7 and Aaron Sexton 14, (fastest rugby player in Ireland). But Hinch were much more than two excellent players, their backrow was strong on both the tackle and scavenging, effecting several good turnovers in pivotal positions. Their kicking was good and ball retention commendable. They play an attractive style but like to dwell over set pieces especially lineouts.
The visiting team, were without invaluable skipper, Ronan Watters, Mark Fogarty, also Exocet Ethan Baxter, Richie Fahy, Mighty Mick McCormack and Jamie Harding. None the less Marys showed spirit and bite to bring the game back from the rim of hell, almost to the vales of Valhalla. In spite of the conditions which militated against open play, there were some notable performances. The indomitable Tommer O’Reilly, had a fine game both in the tight and in the jungle of joust, where he carried, competed and led. He also crossed for a try. Adam McEvoy showed his maturing abilities, including his kicking and all-round skills. He was up with play and was almost instantly rewarded with a very fine try, when on two minutes, up in support of a blinding break by promising young winger Zack Hopkins.
In the first half, Aaron O’Brien, came on, and during the rest of the game he justified Head Coach, Mark’s, confidence in him, with a thunderous game. Although, just a lad of 19 years (also wearing 19), he is a young behemoth, not only powerful, but full of courageous defence, appreciative anticipation and creative carrying. Early in the second half he scored a try of great power and punch, and throughout he never stopped working. He has a fine future, and he was awarded the Manverton MoM Award.
Being honest, the first half was a heart-hitting, hotchpotch, or galling gallimaufry, for the visitors, with errors and lapses in defence and decision making, after such an assuring start and try, after two minutes. Almost at the end of the first half, when we were showing strong signs of confident assertion, an ill-considered pass from the base of a ruck on the Hinch line, gave an intercept to Sexton, and with a streak of blinding pace, he zipped along the length of the pitch to the Marys’ line, and shattered the visitors and their entourage.
The coaching team deserve special admiration, for after half time, there was a transfiguration, and what looked to be a disastrous and dispiriting situation, soon turned into an electrifying encounter with both sides in an almost galactic but sporting joust with Marys playing at pace, with a locked defence and multi-layered raids. Hinch did profit from one last lineout mishap, to add another try to their tall. From thence they defended valiantly and resolutely and as Marys tried to accelerate the action, Hinch tried to calmly defuse the pace. Our lineout got back its control and our leaders showed their mojo. Dan was cutting swathes, Aaron O’Brien scored after several phases. Conor Hayes pushed forward; and the backrow was now flying with Superb Ronan Foley, scoring an admirable try. Deano was directing and probing, then taking a beautiful intercept on the halfway strained every fibre to make it to the line. Myles Carey, Daniel Leane, Leandro and the two Jacks, came on to add their abilities. The game was on fire, with invention and determination everywhere, up we crept from irretrievable to irrepressible, and the needle moved relentlessly upward, as we drove at the defence. It was clear that all 21 players, embedded and newly arrived, were deep blue Marys’ men, giving with their very beings. We scooped up balls, and looped and drove, again, and again, and Hinch bent but did not buckle. Tremendous Tommer powered over and we were almost there. Eventually we ran out of time but a near miracle was performed and we got what appeared impossible, two points.
The scoring
The wind whipped at force 8 slantways up the Ballymacarn Pitch. As the game commenced Ballynahinch with the wind, went on the attack and Marys settled in to defend. After a mistaken Hinch lineout we ran the ball. Zack took a vicious vector, and sliced open the defence Adam, as a Nine should, was up in support and was fed 15 metres out; he battled his way over and ever dependable Mick O’Gara drove the conversion into the wind and it was 0-7 with two minutes gone.
Nine minutes had passed and from a lineout Hinch broke and it was 7-7. Then on 15 minutes a penalty for the home team was put to the corner, the lineout was good, as was the set-up, and the picks and drives made it almost to the line. When the ball went out to Best, he ran through the defence 12-7. It was 20 minutes when Marys dropped out from the goal line. Hinch ran back, then wide, the visitors defence failed again, and winger Graham, ran hard along the touchline to score 19-7. On 27 minutes, Graham struck again and it was 24-7 and right on halftime when Marys were attacking the Hinch line, a long loose pass from the base of a ruck on the line went out and was intercepted by Sexton, and he sprinted the 100metres in under 11.0 seconds. Even Zac could not catch him, although he gave it a go; and the half ended 31-7.
It looked grim. However, with Mark working the angles, who knew, maybe there was hope.
The second half was only two minutes old when intentions were posted, with a heavy offensive. The line was assailed, and after a lot of movement and pressure Aaron took a strong diagonal vector and powered over, close in. MOG converted, 31-14.
Unfortunately, a few minutes later, a missed lineout throw went to Hooker Milligan and he drove over. It was now 36-14. We did not flinch but went back to work, and on 50 minutes, after a lineout in the Hinch 22, and several sorties; Ronan Foley continued his high pressure work, took a ball on an acute vector and stretched the arm and the ball over the line. 36-19. was there a glimmer?
Yes! Especially when Deano who was, as though conducting Rimsky Korsakov’s Flight of the bumble bee; at 56 minutes, whizzed in and took a delicious intercept near halfway. He fairly flew for the line, not even Aaron Sexton was going to get him. 36-26 could we get the ten?
There was a crackle in the air, as Deano upped the pace further. A few near misses, the gale persisted, and so the teams. Hinch were throwing themselves about in defence, while Marys were relentless. Then on 80 minutes, the great Tommer, like a rampant rhino, took the ball, and half the Hinch pack with him, over the line. That made it, after another MOG conversion, 36-33. Marys continued the assault for a few minutes of extras, Hinch stood fast and it ended 36-33.
A lot of pain, but also gain. To get two bonus points from an away game is commendable, and to come from such a half time deficit has to be admired. However clearly, we should never have had to do that. We could not begrudge Ballynahinch their win.
That fight back and the lessons of the first half will have done much for the future. You could feel the concentrated unity of purpose and belief, as they fought back and it seems that this may be the progenitor of a signal season. Only back up to 1A and we are tucked in behind the leaders.
We have a break now, as AIL is arranged in tranches of three matches. Then our strong rivals Garryowen visit us to try to plunder the Shay Deering Trophy, which we won last year. We need to retain it and get the points. The team needs your support. The support last year was a major catalyst to promotion, let it be to a top four finish this season.
Come on Roar on Ronan.
Team (12 changes during the game)
15 C Hayes, 14 M Silvester, 13 D Goggin, 12 M O’Gara, 11 Z Hopkins, 10 C Dean(Capt.), 9 A McEvoy, 8 R Foley, 7 L Culliton, 6 G Jones, 5 P Deeny, 4 I Wickham, 3 A Keating, 2 H Noonan, 1 T O’Reilly. 16 J Nelson-Murray, 17 J Reidy-Walsh C Stewart, 18 D Leane, 19 A O’Brien. 20 L Ramirez, 21M Carey.
D O’Brien