Seconds go to Kingspan as well

Armagh second xv have clinched a Millar MCall Wylie Junior cup final at Kingspan on 21st December after a hard fought victory over Ballymoney at their ground. Played in very difficult conditions Annagh started off well and after 5 minutes Harry Boyd stroked over a simple penalty to give the Armagh boys an early lead. Undeterred Ballymoney struck back with a well worked converted try to go into a narrow lead. Armagh had plenty of the ball but constantly took the wrong options in kicking down the opposing full back’s throat and he made ground on a number of occasions. Armagh were more disciplined and Ballymoney seemed to get on the wrong side of the referee regularly giving away penalties. Boyd reduced the deficit to one point after 28 minutes with another neat penalty.A few minutes later Armagh put together a lovely back move for Shane McKecver to dive in at the comer for a well deserved try. Try as hard as they could with some lovely counter attacking from the lively Kyle Faloon Armagh just couldn’t break down a resolute defence to make the authority count and the game remained close right up to halftime 11-7 for Armagh.
After a stem team talk from David Eakin and Gary Morton, Armagh set about trying to close the game down but Ballymoney were having none of it and pushed the Armagh team the whole way in the second half. The Armagh scrum was increasingly under pressure and gave away 3 penalties in suion to make Armagh rely on their defence.Slightly agaimt the run of play Harry Boyd increased Armagh ’s lead with another penalty after (j() minutes. Back came Ballymoney exerting great pressure on Armagh. Only great defence by the back row of Gareth McNeice, Josh Kennedy and Stuart Hooks with the rest of the team enabled Armagh to hold put under great pressure particularly 5 metres from their own line. Sensing that their chance was lost Ballymoney flagged near the end and on the stroke of full time Boyd kicked another penalty to leave the final score
17-7 in Armagh ’s favour. History was now made in that both Armagh firsts and seconds will be at Kingspan for final appearances. The seconds will get a rehearsal this week when they go to play their final opponents Ballynahinch 2nds this coming week.
Great credit has to be given to the Armagh boys. Conditions were tough and it was difficult to put together many back phases of play. The defence was good and Ruari Karlsen had to come on as a tactical switch which enabled Will Holden to go to his preferred position of scrum half.The pack more than held their own against a tough Ballymoney outfit and the game conditions took their toll with Paul Mullan, Stephen Morton and Stuart Hooks all having to be replaced.
Armagh know they can perfonn better but Saturday was a tough test. They have proudly marched through to the final after games against PSNI, Ballyclare, Coleraine and now Ballymoney and the next few weeks should be interesting .