“Composure was key” Bective overpower Ballyclare in six-try Donnybrook display
Saturday, 1 November 2025 – Energia Park, Donnybrook — A view from the sideline by OMAHD
BECTIVE RANGERS FC 36 – 17 Ballyclare RFC
Bective Rangers continued their strong All-Ireland League form with a convincing 36–17 bonus-point victory over Ballyclare RFC, scoring six tries in a commanding performance at Energia Park, Donnybrook.
This being the second ever competitive challenge between both sides, Bective were dominant from the outset, striking early and controlling much of the contest through pace, accuracy and territory. Their forward pack laid the foundation, securing front-foot ball and providing the platform for the backline to play with width and confidence.
Despite Bective’s control, the first half featured a notable imbalance in officiating decisions, with the referee awarding over ten penalties to Ballyclare before the interval — six of them at scrum time. Yet Bective maintained discipline and composure, defended smartly and refused to let momentum swing. Despite Bective’s three first half tries by Chris Rolland, Craig Cantwell and Tim Carroll, Ballyclare kept in touch by the accurate boot of Matthew McDowell and James Creighton to stay within a single score by half time.
(Half-time: Bective 17 – 12 Ballyclare)
In the second half, Bective’s attacking cohesion shone throughout, with smart support lines and effective off-loading contributing to Oly Foote well-worked try. Ballyclare battled gamely and mounted periods of pressure and were awarded a try, scored out wide, by Adam Campbell but were largely contained by a well-organised and aggressive home defence.
As the match opened up in the final quarter, Bective’s fitness and depth proved decisive, allowing them to stretch the lead and secure the bonus-point win in style. A second try by Craig Cantwell and an intercept try by Chris Rolland were a joy to watch. The result strengthens Bective’s position in AIL Division 2C and maintains their upward momentum heading into the Round 6.
Bective now head to Musgrave Park against Dolphin RFC, with confidence and renewed ambition. “We backed our systems and stayed composed when we needed to,” backs coach Rory O’Loughlin commented after the game. “The lads showed real character and earned every bit of that result.”
Scorers
Bective Rangers: Tries: Craig Cantwell 2, Tim Carroll, Oly Foote, Chris Rolland 2; Cons: Matthew Gilsenan, Mikey O’Hare 2
Ballyclare: Try: Adam Campbell; Pens: Matthew McDowell, James Creighton 3
BECTIVE RANGERS FC 1st XV: 15 Tim Carroll; 14 Chris Rolland, 13 Bobby Holland, 12 Matthew Gilsenan (capt), 11 Craig Cantwell; 10 Oly Foote, 9 Connor Halpenny; 1 Oscar Egan, 2 Chris Poole, 3 Conor Kelly, 4 Gavin Kelly, 5 Donagh Lawler, 6 Tiarnan McCloskey, 7 Mattie Keane, 8 James Gallagher.
Replacements: 16 Rory Mulvihill, 17 Mark O’Brien, 18 Oisin McCloskey, 19 Ross MacGoey, 20 Mikey O’Hare.
Referee: Brian Bennett, MSR IRFU
