By Rory McKee
ROBBIE Johnston believes the experience of falling short in last season’s Junior Shield final spurred Ards on to claim the silverware this time around.
The Ards captain helped lead his side to a 37-17 win over Randalstown in the festive decider at the Affidea Stadium on December 27, which heralded a winning trophy for the 1st XV from Hamilton Park in more than 20 years.
After overcoming 2024 winners Carrickfergus in the first round, Ards successfuly navigated assignments against Larne and Malone seconds in the subsequent rounds of the competition to book their ticket to the final at the home of Ulster Rugby for the second time in nine months.
Reflecting on the triumph, out-half Johnston said: “It had been 23 years since the 1st XV last lifted a trophy and that was something we talked about quite a lot in the build-up to the match.
“The boys bought into it and thankfully we were able to end the long wait. “We started really well and I think having the experience of being there last year helped us to not have any nerves,” he continued.
“We came out of the blocks fast and went 17 points up, but Randalstown are a strong side and we took our foot off the gas a wee bit and they got it back to within five points at half-time.”
Ards though pulled away in the second half to record a winning margin of 20 points at full-time. Former Queen’s player Johnston hailed the blend of youth and experience in the squad which he felt was the perfect recipe for success.
“I was looking at the squad photo afterwards and I think I counted 10 lads under the age of 23, which when you balance that with a few of the older lads in their 30s, the mix is really good.
“The older boys were good voices in the lead-up and in the changing room, and the younger guys on the day really showed the benefit of having youth on your side,” the captain said.
“They were energetic, getting off the line quickly and making loads of tackles. Sam McClements in particular had a great game, he seemed to be just be everywhere.”
While Ards rightly savoured the Junior Shield win with celebrations over the festive period, they know they can’t afford to dwell on it for long with focus switching quickly back to league action and their push for promotion to Championship 1.
That began last weekend (January 3) as they got past Carrickfergus in a crunch clash at Hamilton Park with both sides eyeing a top-two finish.
“We said at the start of the year that we wanted to go on a cup run, and having not won this competition last year we wanted to put that right, so to get the opportunity to do that was great,” said Johnston.
“The focus is now back on to the league. We managed to finish third last year, but obviously if you want to go up you have to be in those top two spots.
“It is just about taking each game as it comes and not looking too far ahead. I suppose we have to just forget about the final now and get back on form for the league because there’s still another half of the season to be played.”
