Match report: Castlewellan Town 3 – 1 Ballynahinch United

United faced Castlewellan Town at Corrigan Park. Ballynahinch looked threatening on the wings but their efforts were curtailed when Thomas Rodgers was stretchered off with a nasty knee injury. 

Castlewellan took the lead a short time later after a neat through ball was finished into the corner.

The home side doubled their lead in fortunate circumstances after a deflected shot found the corner.

In the second half, Castlewellan added another with an emphatic finish into the top corner.

United made changes and found a new gear. Some nice play and possession resulted in a smashed finish from Louis Boyd to finish the game.

Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Charlie Parkinson, Simon Johnston, Conor Graham, John McMenamin, Kyle Spindlow, Tom Nelson, Thomas Rodgers (Lee Maxwell), Ben Maxwell (Ian McMullan), Glenn Moffett (Bradley Hamilton), Louis Boyd.

Ballyvea III 7 – 2 Swifts

The Swifts travelled to face Ballyvea III. The home side took an early lead and found themselves two up. 

Ballynahinch battled back with goals from Rhys O’Hare and Diarmuid Lavery but they couldn’t continue their momentum and lost their way. 

Ballyvea took advantage and scored 5 more to take the victory. The result saw United knocked out of the KitRoom Shield.

There were club debuts for teenagers Leo Elliott, Harry Brown and Conor McVarnock.

Man of the Match: Rhys O’Hare

Line up: Lewis Roy, Ethan Perkins, Ryan Rooney (Cameron Farr), Curtis Johnson (Stephen McNair), Greg Blunt, Callum Greene (Harry Brown), Graeme McMullan [C], Cameron McKissick, Diarmuid Lavery (Conor McVarnock), Rhys O’Hare, Chris McVarnock (Leo Elliott).

Ballynahinch United outline the future for a Millbridge Community Sports Hub

The club were delighted to welcome an array of local council and community representatives to The Millbridge on Tuesday evening.

On the evening, Ballynahinch United Chairman, Anthony Greene, and Ballynahinch Youth and Ladies Chairperson, Hannah Majury presented our aims and club ethos’ to our guests, including the work we contribute to player and personal development and mental health well-being. While Forsythe Consulting outlined our plans for the clubhouse to be a hub for the Ballynahinch community.

Chairman, Anthony Greene said: “We’re pleased to be moving forward with our plans. We want to create somewhere where people are proud of and a friendly place for the community to meet, eat, greet and take part in sport.”

We were encouraged by the support and positive feedback received on the night and look forward to future developments as we strive to provide a modern, suitable community hub at The Millbridge for residents in Ballynahinch and the surrounding areas.

We would like to thank all those who attended, our speakers, Anthony, Hannah, Forsythe Consulting and Gary Harpur for their assistance.

Match report: Ballynahinch United 0 – 3 St Mary’s

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United hosted fellow 1C competitors St Mary’s in the Border Cup with last season’s top goalscorer Lee Maxwell forced to play centre back in a make-shift defence.

The first-half saw both teams battling hard in the glow of the August sun. And despite the away side superior possesion, it was even at the break after solid defending from Ballynahinch with Thomas Rodgers and Charlie Parkinson putting in superb performance against tricky wingers.

It took until almost the hour mark for either side to take the lead, when St Mary’s nipped in ahead of Stefan Graham to scoring the opener.

United pushed forward but were undone twice in the last ten minutes after leaving space trying to find an equaliser.

Despite the defeat, it marked an improved performance compared to United’s 5 – 2 defeat against Grove on Thursday evening.

Man of the Match: Thomas Rodgers

Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Thomas Rodgers, Charlie Parkinson, John McMenamin, Lee Maxwell, Kyle Spindlow, Glenn Moffett, Tom Nelson, Ben Maxwell (Bradley Hamilton), Louis Boyd (Rhys O’Hare), Glenn Bennett (Ian McMullan).

Match report: Ballynagross 4 – 1 Swifts

Meanwhile at Mountain Quarter, Saul, the Swifts knew a win could take them to the quarter final of the KitRoom Cup.

It was the home side who took the lead in the second half, however, Greg Blunt pulled one back shortly after.

With United forced into changes through injury, the team struggled to keep their cohesion and the premier division side took advantage, adding three more goals to their tally.

United will now face Ballyvea III in the quarter final of the KitRoom Shield.

Congratulations to Curtis Johnston who made his senior club debut at 16. Curtis previously played for Ballynahinch Youth.

Man of the Match: Graeme McMullan

Line up: Lewis Roy, Ryan Rooney, Stephen McNair (Cameron Farr), Curtis Johnston, Greg Blunt, Ethan Perkins (Christopher McVarnock), Graeme McMullan [C] (Jake Redmond), Cameron McKissick (Gareth Bingham), Diarmuid Lavery, Patrick Harkin, Callum Greene (Matthew Lindsay).