Omagh 7 vs 24 Clogher: League
Omagh entertained local rivals Clogher valley in the first league game of the season on what was a fine autumn day
Omagh U17 (7) v Clogher Valley U17 (24) October 6, 2012
Omagh entertained local rivals Clogher valley in the first league game of the season on what was a fine autumn day but yet the pitch was very wet following some heavy rain – this made conditions good for rugby but a little slippery.
As it turned out it was a frustrating day for Omagh and their coaches as Clogher arrived with only 14 players on arrival and the game was reduced to 13 aside later on following an injury to a Clogher player. When the scrums became uncontested in the second half the game became a bit of a lottery.
It is early in the season but turn out at training has been good and the Omagh squad was encouragingly strong both in numbers and experience with many of last season’s strong U15 squad coming through.
Omagh kicked off and were slow to get into their stride with Clogher dominating possession early on. Their No8 was strong off the base of the scrum and he helped the visitors encamp in Omagh’s half. Omagh were defending well with Robinson and Sweeney organising the back line well. Darren Wilson was strong in defence and going forward, but following some sustained pressure and a few weak tackles Clogher got the ball wide and their nippy winger scored in the corner.
Omagh came back with strong drives from the pack with Shortt and Flanagan counter rucking well to win valuable turnover possession. Murnaghan was linking well with the backline and Dean Moore is looking sharp in the centre – too often having to defend and not using his attacking skills.
Despite coming back strongly Omagh let slip 2 very soft scores before half time and against the run of play – on each occasion Clogher players ran in unopposed from far out to lave Omagh 19-0 behind at half time.
From the restart Omagh produced their best rugby and McIlwaine and Moore made good breaks. Darren Wilson then picked up to go down the blindside. Despite having several players outside him he did not need help and brushed off a few tacklers to score form almost the halfway line. The try was converted to bring Omagh into the game at 19-7.
Following an injury to a Clogher player and with Aaron Heatherington being injured the scrums were now uncontested and play was don to 13 aside. Attempting to get all players a game meant some Omagh players were now out of position. Play became very scrappy for the rest of the game and the Omagh pack seemed to find the pitch heavy going. The match ended as a contest when Clogher broke away for the final try leaving the score 24-7 in their favour.
Some good performances from Mark Hopton Brown, Dean Moore, and Darren Wilson.
A useful run out at this stage of the season but plenty to work on in training before the next league game.
Omagh Team:
Aaron Heatherington, Mark Hopton Brown, Sam Hamilton, Ryan Flanagan, James Short, Darren Wilson, freddie mcdowell, gareth murphy, Eoin Murnaghan, stewart robinson, Matthew Sweeney, Dean Moore, gavin mcilwaine, Alastair McFarland, Trent Brown, McCauley Killen, James Kee
Omagh 1XV unveiled their new strip on Saturday 29th September 2012. Club sponsor Willy Donnell (Donnell & Ellis Haulage) was pictured with the squad before their Junior Cup game against Carrick
Photo with Club Sponsor Willy Donnell (Donnell & Ellis Haulage)
