A huge congrats to club coach Ray Gallagher and ladies team member Pauline Mc Nulty who got engaged today. Congratulations and best wishes for the future from everyone at the club.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONNNNNNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ballyshannon 24 Clogher Valley 7
On a bitterly cold and windy day at the Lakeside Ballyshannon & Clogher Valley served up an excellent game to warm the hearts. Clogher kicked off with the strong breeze and Ballyshannon ,the league champions, knew they were in for battle when Clogher’s first tackle forced a turnover. Ballyshannon weathered the storm and started to dominate the ruck and maul phases and despite the strong breeze found themselves in a strong early attacking
CLICK HERE for the SHOTTSS!!!!!!!!!!!!! position. A penalty at the breakdown was kicked to touch, a great take in the lineout lead to a series of rucks and mauls and after the Ballyshannon forwards again provided quick ball, Evan McGloin & Ray Gallagher combined well to send Richard Gallagher through a small gap and the inside centre was unstoppable as he crashed through the remaining tackler and scored under the post, an excellent team try. Ray Gallagher kicked the conversion and Ballyshannon had the lead. From the kick off the ball was fielded by prop Paul Cassidy showing a great turn of pace Cassidy attacked the Clogher runners after making 20 metres a great offload to captain James O’Donnell enabled him to find a gap in the Clogher defense, O’Donnell beat 3 defender’s before finding Ray Gallagher on his shoulder and he showed a clean pair of heals to the Clogher defense to score to the right of the post he converted his own try with a magnificent kick into the tricky breeze. To their credit Clogher fought their way into the game and began to dominate the game. With the Clogher scrum starting to get the upper hand they put great pressure on the home team. The Ballyshannon back 3 dealt very impressively with all the high kicks aimed at them and ran back the ball with great result. However after pressure from the whole Clogher team a wayward kick from defence was caught by the impressive Clogher outhalf and he ran 40 metres sidestepping several Ballyshannon defenders to score a magnificent individual try. He converted himself and Clogher were back in the game. Despite repeated Clogher attacks there was no further score before half-time.
The second half began with Ballyshannon starting to exert pressure with the assistance of the wind but impressive defence and a competitive presence at the breakdown meant Ballyshannon were unable to turn territorial dominance into any clear chances. Any kicks by Ballyshannon were capably fielded by Clogher’s excellent full back. Ballyshannon dominance was rewarded after 25 mins of the half when outhalf Ray Gallagher received a ball in broken play and showing great strength and pace stormed his way through the Clogher defence to score a great try to which he himself added the extra points. 10 mins later a penalty after Clogher transgressed at the breakdown was sent between the post by Ray Gallagher to wrap up the game for Ballyshannon. This was an excellent performance by both sides and a great advertisement for this league. Best for Ballyshannon were forwards Paul Cassidy, Brian Killalea, Kealam McNulty and captain James O’Donnell whilst Evan McGloin, Patrick Flanagan, Domnic Gillespie & Paul Connolly impressed in the backs along with Man of the Match Ray Gallagher. Clogher’s impressive front row were ably assisted by an impressive out half and full back and can take great credit in a game where they certainly made the league champion work extremely hard for their win.
Ballyshannon have one league game remaining and on this form look favourites to lift the Harden cup for league winners which would bring a great end to what has been a successful season.
