Omagh travelled to Armagh in a league game, still with several injuries to the squad and several players having to play out of position
Armagh U17 (31) v Omagh U17 (12) October 14, 2012
Omagh travelled to Armagh in a league game, still with several injuries to the squad and several players having to play out of position. Despite this both teams served up an entertaining game which ended in a defeat for Omagh although the final score did not reflect what was a closely matched affair.
Unfortunately as is their apparent weakness, Omagh were slowly out of the blocks from the restart and the ball was kicked to the biggest and fastest opponent who carried Armagh deep into Omagh’s ‘22’. Armagh won several phases of possession which Omagh defended well with good tackles from Wilson, Sweeney and Dean Moore. Freddie McDowell won several turnovers but a poor clearance kick again found the big Armagh centre who beat several weak tackles to stroll in and under the posts. The try was converted to leave the score 7-0. Another poor restart saw Armagh gain possession too easily and an Armagh forward brushed aside 3 would be tackles to score from a long way out.
Omagh were sparked into action and eventually showed their true form with all the forwards driving in the rucks and gaining numerous phases of possession. The ball was moved wide well through Eoin Murnaghan, Matthew Sweeney and Dean Moore, only for the final pass to be a little behind McCauley Killen. He couldn’t quite squeeze in at the corner. Armagh cleared their lines and yet again against the run of play ran in a soft try to leave the scor17-0.
Rather than drop their heads Omagh continued to up their game and dives form the forwards lead to good ground made through the backs with a good break from Stewart Robinson who offloaded to James Kee to drive forward. Now Omagh were winning quick possession and were rewarded with an opening try when Heatherington and Hamilton combined with James Shortt to set up Darren Wilson to crash over for a try converted by Murnaghan to make it 17-7. Armagh’s pack were looking somewhat vulnerable as Omagh began to dominate the rucks and mauls. The Achilles heal however was the missed tackles and again against the run of play Armagh scored from way out to leave the half time score Armagh 24 Omagh 7.
The second half started with Omagh looking more confident using forwards and backs to push deep into Armagh territory, with Johnny McFarland running strongly and adapting well to playing out of position in the centre. Darren Wilson and Freddie McDowell broke blind and after several pick and drives from Sam Hamilton, Mark Hopton Brown and Ryan Flanagan scored from close range to make it 24-12. Omagh’s tails were up and they now played their best rugby of this season.
Despite further pressure by Omagh, Armagh scored a final breakaway try to close out the match 31-12.
A brave showing from Omagh and a big step forward on the previous outings. However still plenty of work to do in training and hopefully with the complete squad in attendance.
Omagh Team:
Aaron Heatherington, Mark Hopton-Brown, Sam Hamilton, Ryan Flanagan, James Short, Darren Wilson, Freddie McDowell, Gareth Murphy, James Kee, Eoin Murnaghan, Matthew Sweeney, Alastair McFarland, Johnny McFarland, Dean Moore, McCauley Killen, Stewart Robinson
