It was quite the occasion at Ravenhill on Saturday for the Dodd family from Saintfield as four of the family, Dad David and his three sons William, Adrian and youngest son David junior all started in the Hinch pack. At 51 years of age this was likely to be David senior’s last game in what has been an illustrious career, which has stretched over three decades. Unfortunately the scriptwriter failed to pen a happy ending to this tale as the Sixes lost out to a very useful Rainey 4thXV.

Ravenhill looked in tip top condition as the players took to the field in bright sunshine, the Magherafelt side playing with the advantage of an unusual strong breeze blowing from the Memorial end. From the kick off it became evident that Rainey were a useful outfit with over three-quarters of the side accomplished Gaelic footballers, their handling and running skills were impressive. They took the lead in the 5th minute after Hinch were guilty of a high tackle, centre Ronan Devlin stepped up to convert and give his side a 3-point lead.

Four minutes later Rainey increased their lead when quick ball was moved at pace across the backline to put winger Aidan McAlynn in at the left hand cornerflag. The conversion was missed leaving Rainey 8 points clear.

Hinch tried to battle up-field but poor kicking into the strong breeze gifted possession back the Rainey who kept the ball in hand, then Devlin added a further penalty in the 15th minute after the Hinch failed to roll away after a tackle.

As the game moved into the second quarter play had been all one-way traffic and Rainey cut loose again in the 22nd minute. The ball was quickly moved left where flanker Ciaran Hegarty gathered a pass two feet behind his back on the Hinch 22 and beat the cover defence in the race for the line. Devlin failed to add the extras leaving his side 16 pints clear.

Davy Dodd gathered his pack together and with some strong words of wisdom they decided to take the Rainey men on up front. A series of lineouts ensued at the Stand side of the ground with young Adrian Dodd winning some useful ball against the head. The Hinch pack knew how to play this type of rugby, with Mervyn Tate, Andrew Patterson and Willie Dodd taking drives off the side pushing Rainey onto the back foot for the first time. This success lifted the Hinch men immeasurably as they forced play deep into the Rainey 22. In the 28th minute Adrian Dodd stole another

Rainey lineout ball and form the ensuing drive Mervyn Tate made it across the line for the try. Carl Larkin failed to add the extra points.

Despite this set back the County Down men fought back, and in the 40th minute, using the lineout skills of Adrian Dodd the Hinch pressed Rainey back into their 22 to set up another 5-metre lineout. David junior threw to his brother Adrian and the pack set up the drive, David junior joining in to get across the line to claim the second Hinch try which went unconverted leaving the Hinch trailing Rainey at halftime 10-21.

Now with the wind at their backs and a game plan that had worked the Hinch made the perfect start. With just 3 minutes of the second half played they set up another 5-metre lineout to attack. Again Adrian Dodd was the target, he claimed the ball to set up Mervyn Tate who was driven over by the Hinch pack for their third score. Larkin missed the conversion leaving his side trailing by 6 points 15-21.

Hinch began to turn the screw and for the first time Rainey did look vulnerable and when Adrian Dodd kicked a penalty goal in the 53rd minute to close the gap to just 3 points at 18-21 the Hinch men looked to have taken the initiative.

It was vital to keep their momentum going but suddenly the game swung back in Rainey’s favour. A blistering break through the Hinch midfield by Ciaran McNamee in the 58th minute set up winger Ciaran McIvor to sprint clear and score a vital try. Devlin added the extra two points to ease the pressure and give his side a 10-point cushion.

This score looked to have knocked the stuffing out of the Hinch men. They had played the previous Saturday and had a friendly against Dromore on Tuesday night. The three games in seven days began to take its toll in the final twenty minutes. Fresh legs were introduced to the proceedings but these were mainly in the backs, a couple of big men up front may have had more of an impact at the end.

Rainey had the final say scoring a try in the final minute to claim victory, Niall Hegarty taking advantage of a mix up in the Hinch defence as they messed up dealing with a kick ahead, fullback Niall Hegarty picking up the bouncing ball to score. Devlin failed to convert leaving the final score Ballynahinch 18pts Rainey O B 33pts.

Despite the defeat it was a great occasion for the Hinch club and the Dodd family in particular.