Donaghadee travelled to Ballyclare last Saturday in the second round of the prestigious Ulster Towns Cup, a competition that has a proud history dating back more than 130 years. Donaghadee have won the competition only once in 1924 and very few in the town will remember the last time Donaghadee reached the final of the competition back in 1958.
Given the recent form of the squad going into this game those associated with the club could be forgiven for dreaming of a second trip to Ravenhill in as many years; however the trip to The Cloughan against the Junior 2 league leaders who were unbeaten at home this season was sure to be a tough challenge.
Chris Hamilton gave Donaghadee the perfect start collecting the kick-off and bursting through a couple of attempted tackled to make real inroads into the Ballyclare half. A neat kick from out-half Paul Blewitt into the ‘Clare’ 22 appeared to have the home side under some early pressure.
Ballyclare however composed themselves and although both sides enjoyed spells of pressure in a match that was played at a tempo synonymous of a local cup encounter, the home side looked the more threatening and were more effective with possession.
Ballyclare got their reward for this early pressure in the 20th minute thanks to some industrious play from their fly-half. Young Lawther was orchestrating his back-line beautifully and it was from an inside ball that his centre partner found the room to crash over from close range. The conversion was missed.
Midway through the half Donaghadee lost influential centre Nigel Barker who took a heavy blow to his ribs. Although Rory Garnham came into the centre and was arguably Donaghadees most effective back for the remainder of the game Barker’s experience was missed in the centre of the park.
Half time Ballyclare 5 – Donaghadee 0
Ballyclare were well worthy of their 5 point advantage, indeed coaches McKenzie and Hennessey may well off been content that it was only a one score deficit they were chasing in the second period.
Ballyclare added to the lead when their second penalty attempt of the half was successful in the 60th minute.
Donaghadee’s performance improved in the second half but they were unable to carve out any clear scoring opportunities and were left frustrated by what was a very well organised and disciplined Ballyclare outfit.
In the 68th minute Paul Blewitt kicked a penalty for Donaghadee after the first real spell of threatening play by the away side after great work in the loose by Kalave Auali’itia and Paul McKenzie that followed a useful chip ahead by captain Ali Lockhart.
The change in the momentum of the game and the hunger that Donaghadee now had was tangible. The away side were supporting play, hitting rucks in numbers and playing the type of rugby that the Donaghadee support had been used to watching in recent performances.
It was to prove however too little too late and the home side were able to absorb the late pressure and clear their lines.
If Ballyclare continue producing the level of performance that they did on Saturday it appears inevitable that Donaghadee will be welcoming them to Donaldson Park next year in a league battle in the top division of Junior Rugby.
Donaghadee will now turn their focus toward the remaining league games of the season and securing a top four finish and All-Ireland Junior Cup qualification for the second successive year.
Scoops Man of the Match – David Thompson
Donaghadee team: B.Allen ,C.McGivern, N.Barker, P. McKenzie, R.Garnham,P. Blewitt, A. Lockhart (Captain), S.Hennessey,G.Gordon, P.Eadie, K Auali’itia, R.Black, D.Murray, C. Hamilton, D.Thompson Subs: D.Devine –N.McCullough
This incoming Saturday the 1st XV travel to Roughfort to take Academy in Q1, the 2nd XV are at home to Omagh III and the 3rd XV visit Rainey in the Cup – all games kick off at 2:30pm.
