Armagh’s first venture on Saturday into Leinster in the Ulster Bank All –Ireland League saw them narrowly yet convincingly defeated 19-10 by a very well coached Skerries side. After a strong display against Sligo and Instonians the Armagh side were inching up the 2B league table. The Skerries side, however, had just won promotion back to senior rugby this season and were renowned for their strong performances.
The scene for the game was set with a beautifully sunny if brisk, afternoon. Armagh faced stiffish breeze at the kick-off and immediately launched a series of strong attacks on the Skerries line. Only when the visitors were penalized for a rucking offence was the pressure eased for the Skerries defenders. Despite the Skerries heavier pack Armagh were seen to be well able to secure a generous supply of ball to keep pressure on the home side for the first quarter of the game. But, apart from a penalty for a high tackle, Armagh failed to secure any real advantage for all their efforts. The Skerries defence was proving very difficult to penetrate and after twenty seven minutes the home side fed a ball to their winger, Caherer, who scored touched down in the right corner to put the half –time score to 5-3.
As the second half kicked off it was evident that the home side had gained confidence having weathered the first half where Armagh had expended a lot of effort with little to show for their effort. Even the breeze had changed in that Armagh were now playing into a strong headwind but this was the least of their worries as the home side’s confidence was growing by the minute. A handling error let the Skerries full-back score another try which, when converted, put the Leinster side 12-3 in the lead. It now became evident that every time Skerries were able to get into the Armagh twenty two they left with points! Only when Armagh’s out half, Dylan Ferreira, slipped through the Skerries defence did Armagh look enterprising in the second half. The skerries centre scored their third try of the afternoon to bring the score to 17-10.
The Skerries conversion appeared to go wide of the posts as both touch-judges agreed to signal. The referee, however, decided to overrule both officials and judged the kick to be good. Insignificant as it might have seemed. This was sufficient to rob Armagh of a losing bonus point. No doubt this decision will reflect in league positions later in the season.
When all is said and done it was evident that Armagh failed to score vital points after exerting twenty minutes pressure inside the Skerries twenty two in the first quarter of the game. Yet every time the home side ventured into Armagh territory they scored vital points. Also with a penalty ratio of 9-3 Armagh will have to take a serious look at their discipline as this aspect would have hurt even harder had the opposition kicker been on target!
