Ballyclare will be playing in the Energia AIL for the first time next season as they recorded a 33-28 win in the Provincial League Championship Final. A late try by Ballyclare skipper Joel McBride saw them past Monkstown.
Joy for one and despair for the other as the referee Andrew Fogarty blasted his whistle to end the tie in Balreask Old. History for Ballyclare as they look forward to 2C rugby next year, while Monkstown were left deflated after fighting back from 23-7 down at the break to almost take the win.
Bangor will be their next task if they are to make 2C next season, they will meet in the Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Final at Upritchard Park, kicking off at 2.30pm on Saturday April 27th.
The Ulster side have had quite the fruitful year this season. Recording prior success in the AIL Men’s Junior Cup and Ulster Rugby Championship Division 1, this was their third title success and the chance to play AIL Rugby next year made it the sweetest of them all.
Matthew McDowell, who was deadly accurate from the tee all afternoon, opened the account for Ballyclare as he struck a tenth minute penalty for the lead. John Dever replied for Monkstown crossing for the opening try, Matt Stapleton converting for a 7-3 lead.
The Ulster side really hit their stride to finish the opening half with a flurry. Alex Darrah weaved his way through the Monkstown cover and crossed for their opening try. The out-half with a moment of class in the 16th minute and McDowell converted for a 10-7 lead.
McDowell followed that conversion with two deadly accurate penalties to further Ballyclare’s lead before Matthew Coulter crossed for their second try. Moving from the rear of a maul on half time, McDowell added the extras and the lead at the break was 23-7.
Monkstown were a side rejuvenated in the second half. Stapleton who was on kicking duties turned his hand to be an influential figurehead in Monkstown grabbing two tries. On the hour mark Stapleton himself went over and converted to cut the gap to nine points.
Another three from McDowell furthered the Ballyclare lead put Stapleton played a hand in setting up a third try for Monkstown as Conor Hurley crossed the whitewash and Stapleton converted yet again for a 26-21 score line with just ten left in Navan.
Momentum stayed with the side from the capital and with time running out Schalk Jooste steamrolled his way over from close range for their fourth try. Stapleton four from four on the conversion front and Monsktown were back in the lead.
Clock in the red, the game still in the melting pot as injury time was upton us. Ballyclare had one final chance and with hearts in their mouths, McBride darted through a gap and touched down for the winning score. Chaotic scenes in Navan. The captain meandered his way through the Monkstown rearguard before crossing the whitewash and dotting down behind the posts.
A moment of sheer brilliance by McBride when Ballyclare needed it most. The celebrations followed ensured it would be a long night of celebrating. Monkstown have one final chance. Bangor in two weeks, a game of massive proportions in Upritchard Park.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.