Derry defeat a setback for Braidmen’s promotion hopes

Ballymena’s Ulster Bank All-Ireland League Division 2A promotion hopes suffered a setback at the weekend when they lost 8-3 at City of Derry.
Ballymena's Adrian Kirkpatrick gets to grips with City of Derry flanker Stephen Corr during Saturday's All Ireland League game at Judges Road.Ballymena's Adrian Kirkpatrick gets to grips with City of Derry flanker Stephen Corr during Saturday's All Ireland League game at Judges Road.
Ballymena's Adrian Kirkpatrick gets to grips with City of Derry flanker Stephen Corr during Saturday's All Ireland League game at Judges Road.

All eyes were on this fixture as second place Ballymena took on third place City of Derry and with both teams chasing promotion it was going to be a titanic battle.

Ballymena started the brighter, despite having several senior players on Ulster Ravens duties. The early pressure from the Braidmen led to a penalty in front of the posts when City of Derry were penalised for holding on. Ballymena’s fullback Rory Drysdale hooked his kick wide of the uprights.

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Derry fought their way back into the game and their goal kicker missed two easy chances to open the scoring against a now lack lustre Ballymena effort.

Ballymena’s only good attacking came on the stroke of half time after a great team effort but unfortunately hooker John Andrew knocked the ball on as he crossed the line as the first half ended scoreless.

The second half started with another early penalty, this time it was against Ballymena.

The City of Derry out-half split the posts for the first points of the game. 3-0.

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From the restart Ballymena were immediately awarded a chance to level the score. Rory Drysdale found his target to equal the score, 3-3.

The game entered the final few minute as Ballymena pressed on the Derry line but the attack came to an end with City of Derry clearing their line.

With the game now into injury time the referee awarded a scrum to City of Derry. A man down, Ballymena had to find a way to get their hands on the ball but miscommunication between Rory Drysdale and Paddy James allowed Bratton to waltz between tackles and score out wide. The conversion was missed and the game ended 8-3 to the home side.

Ballymena: Adrian Kirkpatrick, John Andrew, Brian Young, Connor Smith, David Whann, Mathew Rea, Michael Entwhistle, Adrian Hamilton, Glen Bailey, Martin Irwin, Jordan Foster, Darrell Montgomery, Paddy James, Michael Johanson, Rory Drysdale, Subs Andrew Ferguson, James Taggart, Mark Foster, Chris Watson, David O’Hara.

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