The Harden Cup
This was a repeat of the Forster Cup semi final when Dungannon won by a margin of five points (12-7) in what would be considered a low scoring game. This game was won by one score again, three points, in what was definitely a low scoring game. It was a tight match in every sense of the word with no really clear cut scoring opportunities. Omagh missed a golden penalty opportunity and Dungannon had a try called back for an infringement prior to a quick throw in.
Omagh started best and dominated play for the first ten minutes.
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Dungannon came into the game more but lost a player to a red card in the first quarter. Thereafter Dungannon probably had the better territorially but Omagh made the extra man count in the set piece. The Dungannon pack did make Omagh work hard for possession it was a tribute to their doggedness and tenacity that Omagh rarely created and ‘go forward’ ball for their backs. With halftime approaching a great move between Gareth James and Ryan Ferry saw the younger Ferry bustle his way over the line but unfortunately he was called back for an offside. Then following a series of drives Clive Whylie bustled his way over the line but the ball was held up.
Two minutes later Jason Ferry put in a magnificent kick that was fumbled by the Omagh fullback before it went into touch. Brian Simpson took a quick throw that the elder Ferry collected and was on his way over for a try when the ref brought play back for the original knock on.
The teams turned round even steven and when a Dungannon player failed to play the ball properly following a tackle Omagh had a penalty straight in front from about twenty-five metres out. Against a stiff breeze Colin Gibson’s kick drifted wide and Gannon breathed a mighty sigh of relief. After fifty-five minutes Dungannon were awarded a penalty from a similar position and Jason Ferry popped the kick over to give the host Club the lead.
3 – 0
The game ebbed and flowed with Dungannon failing to convert two good scoring positions into points. Omagh tried to move the ball out wide but the Dungannon midfield defence was sound and the game ended with a relieved Dungannon going into the final on 14 May against Banbridge IIIs.
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Team: Ryan Ferry. Brian Simpson, Gareth Graham, Clive Whylie, Angus Dines (Kevin McElduff). Jason Ferry, Gareth James. Darran Lucas (Wallace McKay), Jeremy Baird (Aaron Falloon), Steven Gavin. Robin McCleary (Jeremy Turkington), Adam Booth, Mark Thompson., Andrew Caddoo, Steven Sinnamon. Julian Knipe
Referee: Gregory McPeak (UUC)
Scorers:-
Tries:
Cons:
Pen: Jason Ferry
Drop Goal:
