Saturday saw Armagh make the long, 280 mile, trip into deepest West Cork to play their first game in the 2012-13 Ulster Bank All-Ireland League. Clonakilty suffered relegation from section 2A at the end of last season and made no secret that, from the kick-off, they were keen to make their mark on this game. 
The playing surface was in fantastic condition and with a slight breeze at their backs the home team kicked off. As the game got underway, the Armagh team found themselves unable to get their hands on the ball for what seemed an eternity! The Munster side were seen to be very physical and certainly were dominating the loose play.
After only four minutes play Clonkilty’s right-winger, Kelliher, evaded some poor Armagh defence and touched down a fine try in the corner. This was converted and suddenly the 7-0 score looked ominous! To add to the Armagh side’s dilemma they were caught off-side inside their own 22 and Clonakilty’s kicker again landed the kick to open the score out to 10-0.
It was obvious that the Armagh side were slow to get into their stride. They were being bullied and with a combination of poor line-out play and a multitude of handling errors they were in a position of settle down or lose the game! Indeed, slowly but surely the Armagh players began to show their true talent. The Clonakilty pack was heavier than Armagh but the visitors were able to hold their own in scrums. Eighteen minutes into the game the referee awarded a penalty to Armagh when the home team failed to release a tackled player. Johnny Steenson obliged and the half time score 10-3 somehow gave just the slightest glimmer of promise.
Coach, Andrew Hughes & Ian McCall’s half time talk seemed to take effect and Armagh were, by now, beginning to get into gear and twenty minutes into the half winger, Josh Morton, burst through the Clonakilty defence and scored just left of the posts. Again, Steenson was able to convert to bring the score to 10-10. A further penalty was awarded when Clonakilty were caught off side put the score to 10-13. The scoring was completed when Armagh were caught ‘crossing’. Again the home side’s kicker, Deasy, was able to put another 3 points on the board.
With less than ten minutes to play the game came to an abrupt halt when Armagh’s scrum half wen down with a neck injury. For some fifteen minutes the doctor attended and Harry was transferred on to a rigid stretcher complete with a neck brace. Any injury in any game is worrying but a neck injury is always concerning. To see any player leave the field in this manner is particularly chilling.
The game resumed after the long break but by this stage the result seemed secondary. At the final whistle a 13-13 draw seemed a fair result.
On Sunday morning the news got back to the touring party that all was well with Harry and the precautionary trip to hospital left all in order! This news was welcomed from all quarters and the relief was evident on the faces of all the team and supporters as they set off on the long haul north.
Armagh’s next fixture sees them entertain Sunday’s Well at the Palace Grounds next Saturday. Last year Armagh were narrowly defeated by this side when they played in Cork. With this in mind they will be particularly keen to put in a sound performance and a home win would certainly be most welcome!
