Ballymena got their All Ireland League campaign up and running with a convincing 40 – 222 win against St Mary’s College, Dublin, at Eaton Park on Saturday afternoon.

Ballymena’s Tim Small kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely throughout the afternoon with a try, four conversions and four penalties, giving a personal haul of 25 points. John Andrew, Chris Cundell and Glen Baillie also crossed for the home side to secure a bonus point win.

St Mary’s responded with tries from Ronan Watters, Mark Fogarty and Dave Fanagan, Conor Dean converting two as well as a penalty.

BALLYMENA: Matthew Norris; Jordan Foster, Darrell Montgomery, Glenn Baillie, Dean Reynolds; Tim Small, Michael Stronge; Nacho Cladera Crespo, John Andrew, Chris Cundell, JJ McKee, David Whann, Connor Smyth, Marcus Rea, Stephen Mulholland. Replacements: Josh Bill, Jonny Spence, Willie McKay, James Wheeler, Jonny McMullan.

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE: Dave Fanagan; Mark Fogarty, Craig Kennedy, Marcus O’Driscoll (capt), Conor Toolan; Conor Dean, Cormac Foley; Tom O’Reilly, Richard Halpin, Michael McCormack, Liam Corcoran, Daragh McDonnell, David Aspil, Ronan Watters, Mark Fallon. Replacements: Stephen O’Brien, Colm McMahon, Max Kennedy, Nick McCarthy, Paddy O’Driscoll.

Picture credit – Richard Owens

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