Some judicious pass-off timings allowed us to pick up four hockey games this Saturday, our first being the All Ireland Men’s Trophy match between Ballynahinch and Limerick’s Catholic Institute which was played at St Coleman’s High and Sixth Form College Ballynahinch.

We were only able to pick up the first half of this one but, somewhat obligingly, both teams scored all their goals in the frenetic opening two quarters as Insta raced to a 2 – 5 win in an entertaining game.

The match kicked off a little ahead of schedule and Insta were first of the score board with Tiarnan Gaffney picking up a rebound to find the net and the first ten minutes were typified by Insta taking the ball down the left to feed youngsters Gaffney and Chris Ryan, both of whom broke quickly down the centre.

However the Hinch defence sorted out their shape and after a patient build up they found Jason Campbell in front of goal to knock in the equaliser. Campbell was again in the right position less than a minute later when he knocked in a well struck cross from the left to give Hinch a 2 – 1 lead after 10 minutes, a lead they took into the second quarter.

The second quarter was dominated by Insta’s Ryan who tormented the Hinch midfield and defence and knocked in four goals, all from open play, in an all action display. Hinch can thank their keeper that it wasn’t more in a completely dominant second quarter from the visitors.

As I left for my next match, I was expecting to read a big scoreline in the results later but credit to Hinch who must have figured out a way to contain Insta’s rampant youngsters in a scoreless second half. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done and it’s the Insta pairing of Gaffney and Ryan who will be looking forward to showing their skills in the next round of the Trophy competition.

Final Score: Ballynahinch 2 Catholic Institute 5

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