Club Focus: Ballynahinch RFC

Ballynahinch RFC, recent winners of the SONI Ulster Rugby Premiership, were the featured club in this week’s match programme. Find out all about the club… Who is your President? Mervyn Boyd Head Coach? Tom Rock supported by Coaching Coordinator Brian McLaughlin 1st XV Captain? Aaron Cairns Number of members? 450 3 players to watch? Rhys O’Donnell, Zack McCall, Chloe McIlwaine Longest serving member? Joe Carlisle – Founder member Who is the ‘Club Clown’ and why? Campbell Classon – entertainment value on away trips! Hardest trainer? Ryan Wilson Club’s unsung hero and why? All the volunteers! They all work relentlessly for the benefit of the Club and its members, without expecting any reward of acknowledgement. What is your Club song? Shall we Gather at the River What is your Club logo and what does it represent? Stag’s Head – synonymous with the wild deer population in County Down Who is your Club mascot? Eddie McConnell – Magic Man (Those who know, know...) How many teams do you field? 7 men’s, 1 Ladies, 3 youth and 200 Minis Most successful achievement? Promotion to Division 1A of the All Ireland League in 2013 – only Ulster Club to have achieved that accolade since new AIL format introduced Proudest moment? 2008/2009 Grand Slam Year – 3 titles won + AIL Cup win. Also Junior/Towns Cup Double on 3 occasions – 1987/88, 1994/95 and 2016/17 Tell us something unique that not everyone knows about the club? Toulouse trained at Ballynahinch on 15th October 1998, the night before they lost to Ulster 29-24 in the European Cup. Club Contact Details: Email address: hinchrfc.sec@gmail.com | Website: www.hinchrfc.co.uk Social media: Facebook ballynahinchrfcofficial | Twitter: @HinchRFC