BALLYMONEY RFC HEROES!

The Toon came out on top after an action-packed clash at the famous ground to take the cup for the first time in the club's history.

14-5 down with 15 minutes remaining, Ballymoney's cup dreams looked to be in jeopardy.

But the never-say-die attitude of the men in blue was rewarded emphatically with a try from Jonny Hanna and two high pressure kicks from Martin Irwin.

Speaking to the Times after the final whistle sounded proud coach Jason Taggart - who scored his side's opening try - said he was ecstatic.

"It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant," he said.

"I'm ecstatic.

"Even when we went 14-5 down we showed the belief as a group to go on and win the game."

Ballymoney's heads didn't drop despite falling behind in the second half and they rallied round to set the wheels in motion for a stunning comeback.

"At 14-5 down it could have went the other way but the lads continued to fight until the final whistle and stuck to the task, the defending was immense," said Taggart.

A penalty from Martin Irwin made the score 14-8 before Jonny Hanna powered over the line.

An ice-cool conversion from Irwin set up a nail-biting finale with Clogher Valley throwing everything at Ballymoney in the dying moments.

But the Toon held out to make history by adding their name to the list of winners of the prestigious competition.

A huge crowd travelled from Ballymoney to cheer on the local lads and the atmosphere for the game was electric throughout.

"It was a forward battle out there," said Taggart.

"The effort was fantastic and the support from the crowd was out of this world.

"I think half of Ballymoney was here!

"We had John Paul come in before the game and give us a talk about the Ballymoney sides who had nearly won the Towns' Cup in the past.

"He said to make sure we too weren't nearly men on the day.

"The spirit was incredible and the win fully deserved.

"The day was unreal."

Last week Taggart said it was everyone's dream at Ballymoney to lift the Towns' Cup.

He said: "Words can't describe what it means.

"If we won the celebrations wouldn't stop for a month."

Judging by the scenes after yesterday's match he could be right.

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