Defiant Armagh edge League Thriller
Armagh and Letterkenny U18 both travelled to the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt to play this eagerly awaited Ulster Carpets league final fixture. The 3G complex neighbouring Rainey Old Boys Rugby Club was the perfect surface for a cup final as it would allow for a free flowing and entertaining spectacle. The conditions on the day were perfect however a rather strong tailwind went down the pitch.
Letterkenny won the toss and chose to play with the wind in the first half. Therefore this required Armagh to start well and retain possession from the offset. The game started off at a very frantic pace as both sides tried to set down a marker.
Armagh were the first to strike on the scoreboard after a period of sustained pressure in the Letterkenny half. Armagh scored the first try of the game off their solid scrum base through a wonderful pick and break by skipper Barry Finn, who surged off the back of the scrum drawing two defenders. This resulted in space being provided for Armagh scrum-half who touched down and finished very well in the corner in the 9th minute. This combination has been a major asset for Armagh throughout the season and the two players combined on the biggest stage. Fox narrowly missed the touchline kick to make the score 5-0 to Armagh.
From the restart Armagh failed to gather and this led to a swing in momentum as Letterkenny pressed hard. This led to a try within five minutes of Armagh’s score. A good carry from the dangerous Joe Dunleavy at number eight saw Letterkenny gain quick ruck ball and they stretched Armagh to score in the corner through Letterkenny’s full back showing great pace for the try. Letterkenny lost Dunleavy to the sin bin, however Armagh did not exploit the numerical advantage.
Armagh were guilty of perhaps not taking their opportunities as they had several opportunities after some good ball retention and strong carries from Mullen, Kennedy and Finn. Armagh failed to convert a near certain score as Letterkenny held them out with some very dogged defence. However Cormac Fox struck a nice penalty against a strong wind to make the score 8-5 to Armagh in the 22nd minute. Once again Letterkenny were using the elements as they kicked the ball deep to Armagh who had to play out of their own half. They managed to turn the ball over in the right hand corner which led to an Armagh infringement. Letterkenny’s outside half went for the posts and levelled the scores at 8-8 each. Fox narrowly missed a penalty attempt from distance, which meant the scores were level at the break.
The second half was a war of attrition between two sides playing the game in a very positive manner. Armagh started off slightly better as they managed to build through multiple phases and starve Letterkenny. Armagh got onto the score sheet early into the second half, as Fox indicated for the posts after a Letterkenny infringement roughly 48 metres out. In a pressurising game, Fox showed great courage to step up and hit the penalty over. This proved to be the decisive score overall however Letterkenny in the last twenty minutes started to dominate possession.
Letterkenny’s dangerous backs started to prevail as their forwards took parity once being behind on the score sheet. However Armagh showed real determination in defence and missed very few first up tackles on the day. In the latter stages, Armagh were pushed hard by Letterkenny and after a break and off load by Dunleavy, strong carries and waves of attack were coming at Armagh. Letterkenny surged down the pitch and had the Armagh fans extremely anxious. This wasn’t helped by an unlucky sinbin for Shea Donnelly and injury to James Rolston. However every Armagh man stood up to be counted in defence. The forwards were well led by Finn, Mullen and McKee. The backs in defence were led by the outstanding Evin Crummie and Shea O’Brien at fullback whose positioning was excellent. A vital turnover from Niall McKee in the dying minute after a strong tackle from Mullen was the break Armagh needed. Consequently Armagh played one phase, then Fox sent the ball into touch to end the game.
Armagh won this tremendous encounter between two very evenly matched sides 11-8. It was fair to say Head Coach Antoine Finn was an extremely happy man come the final whistle!
Armagh would like to thank main squad sponsor Moss Construction, coaches, volunteers, families, travelling support and Letterkenny RFC for making this a very special occasion.
