AIL 25/26 Round 11 – St. Mary’s College RFC V Ballynahinch RFC

St. Mary’s College RFC V Ballynahinch RFC

16 – 16
Energia AIL Division 1A
Lakelands Park
Saturday 24th January 2026

Overall

With skies tenebrose, the weather execratic, driving cold rain and a vicious easterly wind, it was a credit to the brave players of both sides that they attempted to serve up a high-tempo quality match. All around the perimeter fence, like colourful magic mushrooms, brollies sprung up (maybe due to the wet spell), and spectators huddled in little tight knots. To have the game played at all was due to the generosity and kind neighbourliness of Terenure College RFC who, were playing away in Limerick, and gave us the use of their fine 4 G pitch. Marys’ Presidential trio, Pres, Gareth, VP, Stephen and JVP, Gerry expressed their strong appreciation and gratitude to Terenure President Dave Lynagh and DoR, stalwart Ian (Moggy) Morgan for their kindness and also to Maurice Downing for manning the gate in such atrocious conditions.

Even our hardy paladins were shivering coming off the pitch at the end of the game. It was indeed, overall, a very even game of tight intensity, as each side tried to tilt the balance in their favour. There was a time in the second half when the visitors, playing with the wind, appeared the more likely, with backrow Marcus Rea and fullback Conor Rankin impressive for Hinch. However, after an impressive surge of attacking interplay ended up with a try (67 minutes) scored by the deserving, Mighty Mick McCormack, it rebalanced and ended in a draw. This was a game where every player strove sedulously, and all from both sides can be proud of their contributions, with the forwards battling hand to hand in the trenches. In the hard-working pack, there were some clearly notable performances. One man, who every game is dynamic, skilled and effective, is iconic Ronan Watters. It is hard to imagine how sapping and difficult conditions were, but Ronan never flinched. He was to the van as he drove himself all game, in the melee of action. He has an unerring radar for the ball, in defence and in support, which means he is almost always in, or near the action. He made a vital and commendable contribution today and was centrally involved in the build-up to the try. He deservedly received the Manverton MoM. (See photo of Ronan receiving his MoM from DoR Alan Shirley).

The lineouts were precarious at times due to the weather conditions, but showed up well under the circumstances. St. Mary’s lost scrum-half Rob Gilsenan to injury before half-time. As is often the way in return fixtures, things have a way of balancing out, and the Ballynahinch scrum was strong and effective this time out. The battle for breakdown ball was fierce and so tight it sometimes ended locked.

 

The backline, under the generalship of Skipper Deano, performed commendably under the circumstances, with Myles Carey leading the way in piercing the line and using his pace and balance to garner ground. And, as he does, Mick O’Gara strove throughout, and his kicking kept us up there. He converted Mick’s try and kicked three penalties (1, 19, 33 mins). He remains the top AIL points scorer.

 

St. Mary’s travel to the fast-improving Nenagh Ormond on the coming Saturday and must be careful it does not become a trip rope. The coaches will be hoping Rob and Ethan Baxter will be available to add to the happy return of Conor Pierce. It will be an exciting visit, so please just do not sit and stream, but come along and shout and scream.

Congratulations

Before proceeding, congratulations must be conveyed to three outstanding teammembers for several seasons, deservedly Tom O’Reilly, Ronan Watters and Myles Carey have been honoured by selection for the Club Rugby International match against Scotland on 13th February. Both Tommer and Ronan have been so honoured previously; Myles for his debut. All will wish them well for the game and indeed the training and interactions.

A reminder too, that for the first time ever on a Sunday, our club annual dinner takes place next Sunday (there is a Public Holiday on Monday) and President Gareth has invited our great Lion Captain, Ciaran Fitzgerald, as the guest of honour. Ciaran, of course, played for St. Mary’s, Connacht, Ireland and B & I Lions and captained all with the highest distinction. He also coached his club and his country. The club is extremely proud of him and is proud and greatly pleased that he has been recently inducted into the RTE Sports Hall of Fame.

Pre-match meeting.
Of course, before the match at all, on Friday evening, as it was the special Pals from Ballynahinch arriving, out came the silver service and Royal Doulton, as it were, and off we went to meet at the Dropping Well. Our most popular president, Gareth Logan, was there to greet, welcome, join in and lead a most memorable night with our guests. Their personable vice president, Chris Stevenson, joined the group too and was terrific company. There are often claims of special friendships between groups and clubs, but our clubs’ friendship has endured over 20 years through visits of both clubs, at different times, to a lower division. We had a phenomenal evening, a fine meal, and extraordinary fun, a marvellous sing-song until late and all through exceptional comedy entertainment from Ulster legend Philip Gregg and his close friend Paddy Hutley both of whom have knotted our friendship throughout. This was a night of genuine social brilliance, thanks to the efforts of Gareth Roche and Garry Manning (unfortunately, golf was called off because the course closed). All our guests from Co. Down were accommodated (hangovers included) at our pre-match lunch, mainly due to the efforts of great socialite and host Michael Fanagan. All of this would remind one of when the alickadoos regularly met their counterparts the night before the match. This included overnights when the away game was outside Dublin. These interactions keep club rugby as one of the great social milieus. In busy 21st century Ireland, we should try to keep these customs and their exceptional benefits alive. Here’s to the Hinch Connection!

 

Before signing off, I would like to include an interesting anecdote, passed on by Mylo Carey, father of star centre Myles. Mylo has been a constant supporter for many years now, and on Saturday, when attending at Lakelands with his wife Helen, he met a gentleman. I will let Mylo relate the rest.

“When Helen & I sheltered in the temporary bar in Lakelands last Saturday. We met a gentleman with his grandson both wearing Longford GAA colours. We engaged in a chat. This Gentleman Councillor Martin Skelly was intending to take his grandson to the Longford V Waterford National Football League in Dungarvan. They travelled from Longford to Dungarvan and were re-routed to Roscrea when the match was moved. The match was eventually postponed, so Cllr Skelly checked out what else was on in Leinster. Having formerly attended St. Mary’s College, Rathmines, at the same time as Tony Ward, Cllr Skelly decided to make the journey to Templeville Road and again was rerouted to Lakelands to see St. Mary’s V Ballynahinch. We didn’t meet them after the game as we hastily made our way home to recover”. Their day was made when they were introduced to former Lion Paul Dean before the game.

Team (12 changes during the game)
15 S Kilgallen, 14 A O’Sullivan, 13 M Carey, 12 M O’Gara, 11 L Ramirez, 10 C Dean (Capt.), 9 R Gilsenan, 8 R Watters, 7 F Burke, 6 J Gimblett, 5 D Leane, 4 G Jones, 3 M McCormack, 2 J Nelson-Murray, 1 T O’Reilly, 16 R Bergin, 17 O Michel, 18 O Kearney, 19 C Pierce, 20 D Goggin, 21 R Shields

D O’Brien.