AIL Division 1
Ballynahinch 7 Armagh 1
By James Kirk
BALLYNAHINCH edged out their local rivals Armagh in a full-blooded AIL derby to kick start their season after a distinctly underwhelming Ulster League campaign in which they suffered defeats by Dungannon and Malone to lose their grip on the Stevenson Shield.
Adam Craig and his coaching team have all returned to action and the club has recruited well over the summer, so it has been a difficult month for the club as its dominant status in Ulster has been challenged.
Armagh certainly arrived with confidence and the large and vocal home support were delighted to send them home with some well-chosen words of advice.
Craig lost the services of influential centre Mark Best and with his midfield partner George Pringle also out.
The versatile Paul Kerr partnered Matthew Booth in midfield. Chris Gibson was a late callup for Ruari Meharg at scrum half and there were AIL debuts for outhalf Harry McKeown and flanker Peter Heasley.
Marcus Rea and Ben Moxham were released by Ulster to join the squad and both played their part, as did a strong bench containing the likes of Callum Smyth, Ronan McCusker, Tom McCallister and Zack McCall.
The game was a typical derby with plenty of big hits and defences on top.
Ballynahinch took the lead in the 26th minute through Booth after some excellent interplay between backs and forwards and a fine assist from McKeown.
They won the possession and territory stats and increasingly dominated the set piece as the game wore on, but were unable to translate this into scores and had to withstand a late Armagh barrage to eke out a crucial win.
A tough trip to champions Cork Constitution awaits in round two this weekend.
Ballynahinch 1-22: John Dickson Jnr, Claytan Milligan, Kyle McCall, Kyle Gill, Declan Horrox, Marcus Rea, Peter Heasley, Bradley Luney, Chris Gibson, Harry McKeown, Ethan Graham, Paul Kerr, Matthew Booth, Ben Moxham, Conor Rankin, Kelvin Hamilton, Calum Smyth, Tom McAllister, Ronan MCusker, Zack McCall, Arthur Johnston.
