Ballymena pride in pre-season squad progress before AIL opener
Ballymena warmed up for the All-Ireland League opener on Saturday week with a facile 75-0 win over a weakened Queen’s at the Dub.
The Braidmen face Greystones at Eaton Park and with former Ulster duo Marcus Rea and Ben Moxham joining another Ravenhill old boy in Andy Warwick, coach John Nicholl – now in his third season at the helm – feels Ballymena have the squad depth to win Division 2A.
“For what it was, I'm really delighted with some of our play there, we moved the ball really well, we finished our tries really well and scored 75 points, we'll take it,” said Nicholl. “I certainly feel sorry for Queen's...was their B team there or even C team? I don't know what that was that was out there, so, fair play to them for the boys who were playing there, sticking a hand on their very young side there.
“It'll be totally different in the All-Ireland League and we'll really relish when that time comes around, but just looking after ourselves there, some really good play and a lot of positive support going into the break before Greystones.
“Some of our break down I thought was excellent but, again, I think we got jackalled a couple of times in the deck there...so, we'll probably have to look at some of our aerial break downs, there's maybe a wee area we need to tidy up there, there was a couple of line-outs that maybe went a wee bit crooked.
“I think in the All-Ireland League, if your set-piece is good and your kicking is good, you'll be there or thereabouts...you’ve got to win your home games and that's certainly the focus for us, we've got a bit more depth in the squad this year, we're another year older.
“It's great to have a couple of the pros in there with Marcus Rea, Andy Warwick there and Ben Moxham, they're kind of really leading those young boys in the right path, can't wait to get started in the All-Ireland League.
“My first year, two years ago, was about avoiding relegation and we survived in the last day, last year then we finished mid-table...the objective this year is to win the league, I make no bones about that.”
The Ballymena squad is the perfect blend of experience and youth.
“We have two 18-year-olds Ryan McDowell from Larne Grammar and James McMillan from Ballymena Academy,” he said. “They have been excellent...James goal kicking he got everything except one that hit the post and Ryan has scored in nearly every game, he got four tries against Queen’s.
“Bringing Callum Florence in from Quins he’s been excellent and really helped us out because players like Callum Patterson and Roger McBurney have been excellent for Ballymena but they're getting that wee bit older, so it's nice to have the depth now.
“We've got Angus Graham to come in at tight...Angus was playing with a lot of Queen's boys in the development game, looking forward to having him. Timmy McNabney, younger brother of James McNabney, he's 18 years of age and tighthead there with his first start...big boy, good project again for us, I think we've got three or four of our front rows are 18 to 20 years of age.”
Instonians and Ballynahinch will meet in the Senior Cup final.
Inst needed a late try to beat Clogher Valley 17-14, Hinch toped their group with a maximum 15 points, City of Armagh rounded off their campaign with a win at Dungannon.
Enniskillen and Malone will meet in the Senior Shield final.