‘Hinch Notch Nine Tries As They Knock Out Nenagh

Ballynahinch ran riot in their first ever AIB Cup match as they ran in nine tries against Tipperary club Nenagh Ormond to comfortably qualify for the second round of the competition.

AIB CUP: FIRST ROUND: Saturday, October 6

BALLYNAHINCH 62 NENAGH ORMOND 7, Ballymacarn Park

Scorers: Ballynahinch: Tries: Willie Faloon, Stuart Lamb 2, Harry McAleese, David Graham 2, Stewart Megaw, Stuart Morrow, Tommy Seymour; Cons: Mark Scott 7; Pen: Mark Scott
Nenagh Ormond: Try: Michael Fogarty; Con: John Lillis

After a sticky start in sunny conditions, Division Two side ‘Hinch managed to gallop clear of their Division Three visitors with a strong display of running rugby and quality finishing.

The hosts went in front in the sixth-minute when Nenagh out-half John Lillis strayed offside and ‘Hinch full-back Mark Scott punished him with a well-struck penalty goal.

Nenagh, who were 21-0 losers to Belfast Harlequins in the first round last season, kept competitive and took the lead in the 19th-minute when a turnover and a switch of play to the blindside led to a try for scrum half Michael Fogarty. Lillis converted for a 7-3 lead for the Tipp men.

But that was as good as it got for Nenagh as ‘Hinch, having hit the front again thanks to tries from flanker Willie Faloon (32 minutes) and number eight Stuart Lamb (38), cut loose after the half-time interval.

17-7 in front at the break, the Down outfit worked Lamb over for his second try in the 47th-minute as he picked and went off the back of a ruck and crossed the whitewash for Scott to convert.

Ireland Under-19 international Harry McAleese then cantered over to complete a sweeping move, with Lamb the creator off the back of a ‘Hinch scrum.

That 57th-minute score went unconverted but Scott did add the extras five minutes later when ‘Hinch hooker David Graham brilliantly went on an angled run and won the race to his own chip ahead.

Graham notched his second try soon after when he beat the cover defence to dive over under the posts. Scott’s conversion had the home side 43-7 ahead and more tries followed as ‘Hinch captain Stewart Megaw sliced through on a 60-metre run for a fine individual score.

Nenagh’s Lillis was also penalised for diving late into Megaw’s back as the ‘Hinch centre touched down, and after Scott converted, the full-back took a quick tap and sent a looping pass out for Stuart Morrow to burst over under the posts.

Scott again converted and the rout was completed in the 74th-minute when a run from deep from Scott had the Nenagh defence scattered and his pass sent Ireland Under-19 winger Tommy Seymour haring over in the right corner for a try on his debut for the club.

So plenty for ‘Hinch coaches Derek Suffern and Dan Soper to be encouraged by and the Down men will hope they can spring a surprise next Saturday when they travel to meet Division One side Galwegians at Crowley Park for the first time in an AIB-sponsored competition.