Over the last few seasons Clogher Valley versus Cooke games have been closely fought affairs. Saturday was no exception with Cooke just shading the first half and valley finishing strongly to claim the points. Despite the continued absence of David Dunlop and Wayne Lyons in the backs, Valley were bolstered by the return of Paul Galbraith after injury.
A racking cross field kick by Ally Breen forced Cooke to concede a line out in the 22. The Valley drive was brought down and Galbraith kicked the penalty to open the scoring after 3 minutes. Cooke wingeR McMaster made a searing break into the Valley 22 but another penalty allowed Valley to clear. Valley again went on the attack and Galbraith doubled the score with a sweetly struck drop goal.
Valley forwards were unable to dominate the visitors and the error and penalty counts began to grow. Cooke kicked a penalty to the corner and from the line out second row forward Dawson scored a deserved try. Jarvis kicked the touch line conversion to give Cooke 6-7 half time lead.
After the break, the Valley forwards began to hold on to the ball, break the gain line and proved quick ball for the backs. Following good work by BJ Wilson, Johnny Trimble and Eugene McKenna, Aaron Best was stopped just short of the line. Cooke blindside McMurray were yellow-carded for killing the ball. Galbraith kicked a penalty to give Valley the lead 9-7.
The Valley pack were in the ascendancy and strong running by Moore, Trimble and Orr brought play into the Cooke 22. Bates switched play left and quick hands from Best and Galbraith put Ally Breen in for a try. Galbraith’s conversion rebounded of the post. That was to be his last contribution as he was forced to leave the pitch with a recurrence of his ham string injury. Valley continued to attach but the Cooke defence held firm and the game ended with Valley 14 – 7 winners.
This Saturday Valley will travel to Carrickfergus in the quarter final of the junior cup.
Clogher Valley Youth win again
Clogher Valley under 17s and under 19s had excellent league victories on Saturday.
The under 17s defeated Armagh 39 – 5. Trys were scored by Agnew (3), Irwin (2), McConnell and Hicks. Dougan kicked 2 conversions.
The under 19s had an equally impressive victory over Carrick by 32 – 5. Skipper Paul Armstrong scored 2 trys and a conversion. Matty Turner also scored 2 trys while Michael Treanor and Ian Mulligan weighed in with one apiece
