Clare Complete Stunning Comeback in 13-Try Thriller
Round 15, All-Ireland League Division 2C | The Cloughan, Co Antrim | 28 February 2026
A view from the sideline By OMAHD 🐕
Ballyclare RFC 45 – 42 BECTIVE RANGERS FC
A blistering opening half-hour from Bective was ultimately undone by a relentless second-half surge from Ballyclare RFC, as the home side snatched a dramatic 45–42 victory in one of the games of the season in All-Ireland League Division 2C.
Bective were irresistible early on. Tries from Connor Halpenny (6), Matthew Gilsenan (12), Oisin McCloskey (16), Chris Poole (23) and Chris Rolland (30) — all clinically converted by captain Gilsenan — propelled Bective into a commanding 35–0 lead inside 30 minutes. Their pace, accuracy and ruthlessness left the home support stunned.
But Ballyclare refused to fold. Jacob Scarlett’s try on 31 minutes stemmed the tide before Joel McBride and Dave Gillespie crossed late in the half. Two conversions from James Creighton reduced the deficit to 35–19 at the break and gave the Antrim men a lifeline.
(Half-time: Ballyclare 19 – 35 Bective Rangers)
Bective struck again immediately after the restart when full-back Tim Carroll touched down on 42 minutes, Gilsenan converting to stretch the advantage to 42–19. Few could have predicted what would follow.
Driven by renewed belief and growing dominance up front, Ballyclare chipped away at the lead. Alex Darrah (60) and Jack Milton (63) brought the gap down before McBride struck twice more on 68 and 73 minutes to complete a superb hat-trick. Creighton’s accuracy from the tee — five conversions in total — proved decisive as the hosts edged in front 45–42.
Bective mounted one final assault deep inside the Ballyclare 22, but a crucial breakdown penalty ended their hopes and sealed a remarkable comeback victory after 13 tries of breathless rugby.
After the match, Bective captain Matthew Gilsenan reflected on a game that slipped from his side’s grasp:
“We showed how dangerous we can be in that first half-hour — the tempo and execution were exactly what we’d worked on. But credit to Ballyclare, they never stopped coming. At this level, if you switch off for periods, you get punished. We’ll take the lessons from it and respond next week.”
Despite the disappointment, Bective’s attacking quality was clear, with six tries and a flawless first-half kicking display from their skipper. Attention now turns to a crucial derby clash away to Monkstown next weekend, 7th March @ 2.30pm in Sydney Parade, as the Division 2C campaign heads into its final stretch.
Scorers:
Bective Rangers: Tries: Connor Halpenny, Matthew Gilsenan, Oisin McCloskey, Chris Poole, Chris Rolland, Tim Carroll; Cons: Matthew Gilsenan 6;
Ballyclare: Tries: Jacob Scarlett, Joel McBride 3, Alex Darrah, Dave Gillespie, Jack Milton; Cons: James Creighton 5
BECTIVE RANGERS 1st XV: 15 Tim Carroll; 14 Chris Rolland, 13 Tom McCarthy, 12 Bobby Holland, 11 Dave McPolin; 10 Matthew Gilsenan (capt), 9 Connor Halpenny; 1 Rory Mulvihill, 2 Chris Hennessy, 3 Conor Kelly, 4 Gavin Kelly, 5 Donagh Lawler, 6 Chris Poole, 7 Oisin McCloskey, 8 James Gallagher.
Replacements: 16 Oscar Egan, 17 Mark O’Brien, 18 Ronan Cregan, 19 Dave Moran, 20 Ben Garrett.
Referee: Ross Shaughnessy, ARLB IRFU.
