Rugby coach predicts bright future despite cup final defeat

The Braidmen paid the penalty for not taking advantage of a strong breeze in the first half, as well as having two-man advantage during which they conceded a try at a key time.

“We really needed to take advantage of things after half time and we had talked about it at the interval.

“Unfortunately, it basically unravelled for us during that time instead.

“Garryowen showed their experience straight front he start of that second half.

“We lost today, but we have had a good season and the experience of losing in this final having won in the Ulster Senior Cup final will augur well for us next season,” added Andrews.

Cheered on by a large support, many of whom were in Dublin for Ulster’s Heineken Cup semi-final, Ballymena opened the scoring with a Luke Marshall penalty on 13 minutes.

But the Division 1A side from Limerick were soon pressing and although Ballymena had defended gamely, Garryowen took the lead when Blane McElroy’s clearance was blocked by Neil Cornin and the scrumhalf reacted quickest to dot the ball down.

Marshall missed penalties on 25 and 38 minutes before the Ulster side put some serious forward pressure as the first half ticked into stoppage time.

The pressure told on the Munster men, with prop Declan Laverty binned for infringing at the maul.

At the next set play and after, centre Declan Cusack joined his team mate in the sin bin for failing to release the tackled player.

With the final play of the half, Marshall goaled the resulting penalty for a 6-5 interval lead.

Garryowen pinned Ballymena into the corners with punishing kicks, never allowing their numerical disadvantage to show.

And the writing was on the wall when a lovely movement resulted in Alan Gaughan going over for the first of two tries, five minutes into the half.

Garryowen were soon restored to 14, but Ross Hackney was binned for Ballymena and on the hour mark, Gaughan got his second try, converted by Cusack for a 17-6 lead.

To their credit Ballymena did battle gamely, but when Martin Irwin was sent to the bin, Garryowen scored again, this time through Ronan O’Mahony and Cusack converted to complete the scoring.