‘Worst performance in five years’ says disappointed Banbridge coach

Banbridge coach Daniel Soper was pulling no punches after his side’s heavy defeat to Armagh in the Ulster Championship League game on Saturday.
Banbridge's Dale Carson in action recently. Pic by Matt Mackey/Presseye.comBanbridge's Dale Carson in action recently. Pic by Matt Mackey/Presseye.com
Banbridge's Dale Carson in action recently. Pic by Matt Mackey/Presseye.com

“That was probably our worst performance in my five years as coach with the club,” he said in the aftermath of the 40-0 defeat at Armagh.

“The players themselves are very disappointed with that display.

“It just seemed as if we were going through the motions while Armagh were well up for it.”

Four converted first half tries had the AIL Division 2B side 28-0 up at the break and Bann went on to ship another two tries in the second half for one of their biggest defeats in recent seasons.

Soper was not even inclined to offer the absence of five first-choice players or the early loss through injury of skipper Jonny Graham as mitigating factors.

“If we’re to be competitive in the AIL we have to have a squad capable of dealing with the loss of injured players.

“We still have some way to go to be in that position.”

Bann now travel to Ballymena for Friday night’s Senior Cup quarter-final tie (7.45pm ko).

Soper knows that only a huge improvement will give his team any chance against a home side currently sitting in second place in Division 1B of the AIL.

“We will have Stuart Cromie, Adam Ervine and John Porter back, but their presence alone will not bring about the improvement needed.

“Our attitude will need to be right because it certainly wasn’t against Armagh.”

Bann will also wait on fitness reports on Peter Cromie and Ryan Patterson in the hope that they too will come into contention for places in the match-day squad.

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