Armagh U13’s – 12 Monaghan U13’s – 14
Emotions were running high in Armagh on Saturday when the U13’s took on Armagh for the third time this season. On the back of two heavy defeats Monaghan were confident of beating this side after some good performances in the previous weeks since the last meeting.
The game got started in the same manner as previous occasions this season with Armagh scoring two tries within the first ten minutes with one of the tries being converted. On the previous occasions when Monaghan fell behind the heads fell but not today, the boys rallied back and in the first half playing some good rugby but most importantly not conceding any more points
before half time. In the second half the game belonged to Monaghan and Armagh didn’t like the feeling and the game turned a little dirty at times with a few off the ball incidents but this only motivated the team more and from a five metre scrum James Mallen broke and scored under the posts
converted by Jamie Agnew. The score now at 12-7 to Armagh was turning out to be the best game of the season for Monaghan and tested all players’ willingness to win. From half way again James Mallen went on a charge and broke through the Armagh tackles to touch down under the posts and again a successful conversion from Jamie Agnew, the score now stood at 14-12 to
Monaghan. This is how the game stayed but it was a tense finish for all involved. Every player on the day played their part with some of the new players really starting to show their full potential.
Forwards: David Ward, Troy Jennings, John Lowry, Abdullah Sabri, Michael O’Brien, John Mallen, James Cleary, James Mallen, Shane Sherlock, Josh Hughes
Backs: Adam Kelly, Jamie Agnew, Jack Lynch, Ryan Mooney, Henry Hipwell, Luke Brennan, Séan McKenna, Ethan Murphy.
Monaghan under 17,s now second in their league after victory over Armagh by 15 points to 3 points.
Going into this game both sides were level on points in their league table ,both teams having lost away to Clogher Valley and so a win for either side would give them second position with a return home game against Clogher Valley still to come.This made for a very competitive game with a lot to play for.
The game was played on the first pitch in Rafeenan and the wide spaces lent itself to good open play from both sides. With the monaghan pack now working as a very good unit, they provided very good ball for our backs to display some excellent running.For the second week in a row Mark Quigley scored a try which was converted by Andrew McPhillips to give Monaghan a 7 point to 3 point lead at half time with the Armagh score coming from a penalty.
In the second half Monaghan scored 8 points through a try from Mattie Gilliland and a penalty from Andrew McPhillips .There was no further scores from Armagh and Monaghan won this game by 15 points to 3 points.
The Monaghan pack was very well lead by captain Stefan Maguire ably supported by Daniel McGregor and Mattie Gilliland . In the backs , we have our own Brian O Driscoll in Tiernan Bramley who put in a great defensive display with great support from Andrew McPhillips and Alan McKenna.
Monaghan Team: cathal mcphillips,Jamal mcelmell,Stefan Maguire,oisin craig,Stephen mullan,mattie gillilan,Daniel mcgregor,mark Quigley,alan mckenna,Andrew mcphillips,tiernan bramley,enda Connolly,ultan sherry, Michael mccarron,conor burns,Emil Lubczynski,Mantas.
