Disappointing end to Academy bid for Subsidiary Shield glory

Disappointment is etched on the faces of Ballymena Academy's players after their Subsidiary Shield final defeat. Picture: Press Eye.

A blustery afternoon at Shaw’s Bridge in Belfast saw a crowd of well over one thousand gather to watch the local rivals lock horns.

Dalriada played with the wind in their backs in the first half and started much the stronger of the two teams.

With Dalriada continuing to attack, Ballymena made several defensive mistakes in a phase of play that culminated with the Dalriada winger touching down in the corner.

Ballymena Academy attempt to battle through the Dalriada defence. Picture Press Eye.

The conversion was unsuccessful to leave the score 5–0 with only five minutes on the clock.

Dalriada continued to put severe pressure on the visibly nervous Ballymena team in the early stages and were unlucky not to increase their lead following several more line breaks.

The Ballymena defence showed impressive determination to hold out wave after wave of attack and, following a turnover, had a chance of their own towards the end of the half.

Unfortunately, the decision not to pass cost Ballymena Academy an opportunity to put their first points on the board.

Ballymena started the second half strongly and opened their account for the day when Andrew Magrath slotted a penalty.

Ballymena Academy enjoyed the majority of territory and possession for the next twenty minutes but were repeatedly guilty of poor decision-making when close to the try line.

With the score still 5 – 3, the leaders began to hammer home their dominance at the breakdown, with the Dalriada eight showing greater intensity and aggression than their Ballymena counterparts.

Ballymena coughed up another ball in contact and Dalriada cleverly moved the ball into space for their winger to race home from sixty metres out.

The successful conversion further increased their lead and the score remained 12–3 until the final whistle sounded to signal a deserved victory for the Ballymoney lads.

The majority of this young Ballymena Academy team will be returning next year and will have learned much from this disappointing outing.

Ballymena Academy: Hanna, Reynolds, Rea, Small, Rosborough, Magrath, Archer; Gillan, McNabney, Stevenson, Joe Thompson, Jolly, Bill, McKeown, Maguire. Rep. Alexander