Fifth straight AIL defeat ends Ballymena’s faint promotion hopes

A 37-15 defeat at Ulster rivals Dungannon spelt a fifth successive All-Ireland League defeat for the Eaton park side, who have run out of steam in the second half of the campaign after being right up with the promotion chasers at the turn of the year.

The Braidmen were left shell shocked after just three minutes, finding themselves trailing 10-0 after a goal and penalty put Dungannon firmly in the driving seat.

The visitors rallied at the end of both halves with winger, Ali Fraser scoring two tries while outhalf, Luke Marshall, converted the first having earlier landed a penalty.

Ballymena entertain UCC on Saturday, the visitors already relegated, in a game which for the Ulster club will be about getting a few things back on track ahead of the All Ireland Senior Cup final in Dublin on Saturday, April 28 against Garryowen.

Ballymena head coach, John Andrews, had decided to watch the Munster side on Saturday and assistant, Andy Graham said: “We certainly did not play as well as we know we can, and certainly did not get anywhere near to the level we were at in the previous two weeks against Ballynahinch and Belfast Harlequins, even though we lost those as well.

“Giving Dungannon 10 points, and let’s be honest, that was what we did, in the first three minutes of the game, always meant we were chasing the game.

“We just did not settle today, we were not as precise as we had been and it is really disappointing to come here and lose by that sort of margin.”

Graham added: “The guys do deserve some credit for coming back into the game when 20-0 and 37-10 behind, but we were still well short of where we wanted to be.

“Certainly this week we will want to take a hard look at ourselves again. This week’s league game may not have any bearing on the ups and downs, but it is vitally important for us as we look ahead of the cup final,” added Graham.