First Trust Senior Cup Final
City of Armagh 9 Ballymena RFC 7

Friday 8th February 2019

On Friday evening at the Kingspan Stadium, City of Armagh won the Senior Cup for only the second time in the club’s history. In a repeat of last season’s final, Ballymena again were the opposition and in a closely fought encounter, the Armagh side came out on top 9-7.

With a gale force wind prevailing, courtesy of Storm Erik, it was Ballymena who received the kick off and the Eaton Park side had the elements in their favour for the first half. Armagh however soon gained possession and went through numerous phases showing good ball retention. When Ballymena got their hands on the ball, a clever chip ahead led to an attacking lineout but the Co Antrim side lost the imitative with a crooked throw.
Winger Andrew Willis got his first attacking opportunity on 7 minutes but was forced into touch on halfway. Shea O’Brien on the opposite wing then showed good pace to threaten inside Ballymena territory but a knock on led to a turnover. On 10 minutes, full back Ryan Purvis showed good footwork to make a break when returning a kick into the Ballymena half. A late tackle saw the fullback forced off with a shoulder injury but Armagh were awarded a penalty during the next phase of play. Outhalf Cormac Fox secured the opening points of the final with a tricky kick into the wind and Armagh were ahead 3-0.
With 15 minutes on the clock, Ballymena were awarded a penalty two metres inside their half but outhalf Tim Small’s kick dropped just short. The first quarter came to an end with Armagh having dominated possession and well worth their lead.
Scrum half Harry Doyle made a sniping run from a lineout but the burly Ballymena pack turned over possession and then won a scrum penalty. A great touchline kick by Small gave the Braidmen their first attacking opportunity in the Armagh 22. The ball was moved through the backline but the referee penalised the attacking side for crossing and Armagh cleared. Ballymena then kicked another penalty to touch to set up another attacking spell in the Armagh 22. The Orchard County side held firm and returned to the attack with a good burst by flanker Robert Whitten. The Armagh props, Paul Mullen and Philip Fletcher were also carrying well, as the forwards took play into Ballymena territory.
With half an hour played, Armagh had an attacking lineout on the Ballymena 22 and a scrum followed a Ballymena knock on. Number 8 Neil Faloon picked up and instigated a period of sustained pressure in the Ballymena 22. Great defence held Armagh at bay and when the Braidmen turned over possession they brought play into the Armagh 22. Drives from Conor Smyth and Marcus Rea were held up and a knock on then let Armagh off the hook.
With 40 minutes up on the clock, Armagh dropped a pass on their 10 metre line and from the Ballymena scrum, number 9, Michael Strong broke down the blind side and passed to winger Jonny McMullan to score in the corner. Small kicked a superb conversion from the touchline and Ballymena now had a narrow 3-7 lead at the interval.

Ballymena kicked off the second period playing into the wind which had actually decreased and they dominated the early stages, creating pressure in the Armagh 22. The Eaton Park side won a scrum penalty on 43 minutes but Small’s kick went wide much to the relief of the Armagh supporters.
On 50 minutes Harry Doyle cleverly kicked down the line and Armagh went through some attacking phases. A penalty was awarded for a high tackle and Fox converted from 25 metres to reduce arrears to 6-7.
The third quarter ended with Armagh’s Evin Crummie replacing Chris Cousens, with the team in red and black looking for a crucial score to take the lead. Nigel Simpson and Andrew Willis had strong carries along with Oisin Kiernan. Armagh stepped up the pressure and fullback McBurney had to run behind his own line to clear one moment of danger. With 10 minutes remaining, Armagh were camped in the Ballymena 22. Two five metre scrums had Ballymena under pressure and on 75 minutes Fox kicked a penalty to put Armagh ahead 9-7.
The Ballymena restart didn’t go 10 metres and Armagh then won a penalty when a forward entered a ruck from the side. The Ballymena side were pinned back deep inside their 22, eagerly looking for an opening to break out. In the final minute, Evin Crummie almost grabbed an interception but just failed to hold on to the ball. As the game moved into injury time Neil Faloon was held up just short of the line following a turnover and the whistle went for full time with Armagh deserved winners by the narrow margin, 9-7.
Prop Paul Mullen was named as man of the match for his industrious performance throughout the game. Club captain Chris Colvin and the squad then climbed the steps to receive the First Trust Senior Cup for the second successive season.

The City of Armagh coaching team were delighted to retain the trophy. Willie Faloon commented
“Our guys dominated possession over the 80 minutes and put together some good spells of rugby.
I was disappointed we didn’t convert our possession into points but both team’s defences were on top form in tough conditions. It means a lot to the club as a whole to win back-to-back Senior Cups.”

Club President, William Boyd echoed the coach’s sentiments, “winning two Senior Cups in two years is a tremendous achievement for our club and great credit must go to the players, coaches and management team who worked so hard to achieve this goal”.

Next up for City of Armagh is a crucial home fixture on Saturday in the All Ireland League, when Athlone side Buccaneers make a return trip to the Palace Grounds. Armagh recently defeated Buccaneers in the Bateman Cup semi-final but Saturday’s match will be much tougher, with the visitors likely to have their full complement of Connacht players available. A good turnout of supporters is called for to support the home team as they look to consolidate their position in Division 1B.