A Determined Performance From Clogher Valley U15s
Clogher Valley’s under 15 side, set out determined to improve on their previous outing against Armagh 2 weeks ago. From the outset the pack controlled play and showed Monaghan who was the dominant team. With the opening try coming from a typical David McConnell run from the half way line, the Valley confidence rose and they showed who was in control. 
Effective rucking and slick handling from the backs gave the appearance this was going to be a one sided game.
Monaghan however had other ideas. A little slow out of the blocks in the first 15 minutes, their backs showed that they knew how to run when they got space. Another Valley try by Ryan McMaster with the conversion by Johnny Boland stemmed the Monaghan come back. However just before the break, a number of miss tackles allowed the strong Monaghan centre to run half the length of the pitch to score. Half time saw Valley leading 12 – 5.
293 Photos on slideshow of Clogher Valley U15s v Monaghan U15s, courtesy of Stephen hetherington, Clogher Valley Photography. Should anyone require a high resolution image simply E: stevehetherington@yahoo.co.uk
The 2nd half was more of the same. Strong rucking from the Valley pack kept the ball secure for the backs. Effective pick and go from the forwards at the rucks kept the Monaghan defence under pressure. On occasion the forwards tried to take that extra meter and became isolated and lost the ball. A Gary Doogan try for the Valley appeared to seal the game at 19 – 5, however Monaghan are not a side to roll over admit defeat. Once their backs had the ball they were dangerous and showed they had the potential to score tries. Again a number of miss tackles allowed their backs to build up speed and score under the posts. With the try converted and the score 19 – 12, the Valley could not sit back on their laurels.
New fullback Adhran McGuinn showed he is a force to be reckoned with in the future with his pace and evasive side step. As tiredness set into the legs, mistakes were being made and passes were not going to hand. Sadly a neck injury to a Monaghan player stopped the game with less than 10 minutes to go, with the Valley being declared the winner. A good overall performance from this emerging Valley team.
Clogher Valley U17s v Monaghan U17s
Clogher Valley’s U17 side walked away from this game frustrated that they had allowed Monaghan to go home with all the points. The Valley got off to a great start scoring a number of tries, and dominating the game. With the ever hard working Ian Mulligan spoiling at the breakdowns, and excellent support from Alex McKeown, the Valley had control. 
114 Photos on slideshow of Clogher Valley U17s v Monaghan U17s, courtesy of Stephen hetherington, Clogher Valley Photography. Should anyone require a high resolution image simply E: stevehetherington@yahoo.co.uk
Paul Armstrong at outhalf had a number of surging runs driving through the Monaghan pack. Intelligent kicking also from Armstrong helped to keep Monaghan encamped in their own 22 meter area for long periods. In and around the rucks Michael Treanor worked endlessly to spoil any clean ball the Monaghan team thought they had. His doggedness was rewarded with a try beside the posts. With tries from Treanor (x2), Armstrong, Mulligan and Mark McKenna the Valley were dominant. 
Armstrong added further points from his boot with four conversions and a penalty. However no-one had told Monaghan that the Valley were planning on winning and they had other ideas. Break away tries and scoring on the few occasions when they did get into the Valley 22 area allowed them to crawl their way back. With a Monaghan try to give them a narrow 2 point lead the last few minutes were tense for the Valley team and supporters. The final whistle saw Monaghan walk away winners, 38 – 36 points. A missed opportunity for the Valley U17’s
