AIL division two side Ballynahinch won theit first AIB Rugby Cup final beating the mighty Cork Constitution at a windy Dubarry Park in Athlone, writes RTÉ Sport’s John Kenny.
The ‘Hinch were not over overawed by the occasion and they added the scalp of Cork Con to the two other division one sides they had beaten en route to the decider.
They had previously accounted for Shannon 15-14 in the third round and pulled off a real surprise when overcoming Garryowen 24-17 in the semi-final.
Con, overwhelming favourites for the title, simply had no answer to their Ulster opponents, who were the better side throughout and were deserving first-time winners of the Cup.
Con started with a strong wind at their backs in the opening half and both sides had opportunities to open the scoring early on.
Ballynahinch outhalf Ryan Banbry missed a difficult penalty against the wind on 10 minutes, while Jeremy Manning had a easier kick for Con to the left hand side of the posts, but it drifted wide.
However Manning put Con three points ahead on 28 minutes, with Ballynahinch guilty of holding on.
But the lead only lasted seven minutes as the ‘Hinch broke out of defence and, after sustained pressure inside the Con 22, Banbury made a half-break, Chris Napier collected from the base of the ruck before passing back to the forwards.
Willie Fallon, the Ulster contracted player, broke through the Cork back line before feeding Michael Graham to his left and the wing forward crashed over for the try, which Banbry converted to put his side 7-3 ahead.
Manning kicked a fine penalty on the stroke of half time from just outside his own half to leave the margin at 7-6 to Ballinahinch at the break.
However with the wind behind them after the restart, the Ulster side almost extended their lead in the opening moments as Napier was stopped just short in attempting to go in at the corner, while Banbry missed a relatively straightforward penalty after 47 minutes.
It got worse for Con as they lost both scrum and outhalf with Chris Nolan and Manning going off injured, which meant a reshuffle with Dara Lyons moving from full back to Nolan’s position.
As a result, Ballynahinch were now well in command as Con struggled to get out of their own half and Banbury could have extended their lead, had he not missed a long-range penalty in front of the posts.
However he kicked an easier three-pointer 13 minutes from time to make the scoreline 10-6 and although Banbry’s kicking wasn’t of the highest order on the day, it mattered little as Con were held in their own half for most of the second period.
Substitute John Gunson put the icing on the cake for his side when he crashed over for their second try in injury time, which Banbry converted to give Ballynahinch a deserving eleven point win
The junior final which preceded the senior game in Athlone was won by Tullamore, who beat Navan 23-13, reversing last year's result.
Cork Con: Dara Ryan; Cronin Healy, Tom Gleeson, Evan Ryan, Simon Zebo, Jeremy Manning (Tim Keneally 57), Chris Nolan (Richard Lane 54), Frank Cogan, Peter O’Mahony (Ed Leamy 63), Billy Holland, Merle O’Connell, David Kelly (Johnny Moloney 48), Tim Ryan, Llyod Gabriel, Darragh Hurley.
Ballynahinch: Jonny Cullen; Aaron Ferris, Stuart Morrow, David Harris, Kyle Corrigan, Ryan Banbry, Harry McAleese; Stuart Lamb, Willie Faloon, Michael Graham (Robert Greer 74), Chris Napier, Gareth Rourke (John Gunson 73), Jerry Cronin (Lewis Johnston 79), Neil Hanna (Derek McGregor 77), Chris Stevenson (Patrick McAllister 73).
Referee: Alain Roland
