JANUARY 14TH was the second time this season that Newry faced Armagh at the Palace Stable grounds in Armagh, in November Armagh proved their strength and walked out deserved winners. This weekend Newry knew they were up against it again, with what some people would call the core 2nd XV returning to the team following the Christmas break they knew they had a great chance of putting it up against Armagh. The first twenty minutes certainly proved no different with direct running from out-half Cathal O’Neill and support from the chasing pack, Newry were able to make ground, the first quarter of the game witnessed a shock Armagh side being pinned to their own twenty two yard line. The tempo of the game was dictated by Newry in these opening challenges, with a penalty in front of the post, Newry refused the three points and pushed for the try, with Owen Rice unfortunate to make it over the line. This attacking mentality would in turn prove costly for the Newry side, as Armagh were handed their first opportunity, due to a Newry scrum in the centre of the pitch, the ball travelled from the back rows feet, straight through to the Armagh’s 8 to run in an contested for their first try of the game. Newry were having no luck as their second try similar from a line out went straight through everyone’s hands to the back of the line and the number 8 again went through for his second try. Moral was low but Newry knew they needed to raise the game in the second half.
From the off Armagh took control, observing that Newry’s heads were now low, they pushed for the jugular, running in numerous tries and using their experience in the scrums to turn over possession and put continued pressure on the Newry defence. Similar to the game in November, a defensive master class was handed out this time by Darie Kelly, he ensured the second centre channel wasn’t going to be broke today. With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Newry began to put the pieces together, some strong offensive play in the pack by A O’Donnell and Paul Haughey, and the intuition of Rik Gordon, brought Newry into the Armagh half, a diagonal ball through to first centre Marty McCabe, set him on his way for Newry’s first try of the game, stepping a side two Armagh tackles and dummying the fullback, Marty went in under the post. Unfortunately for Newry this was the last play of the game. The positives were there at the end of the game; everyone kept at it and got their try after a well-deserved team effort. The game ended Armagh 48 – Newry 8, Captain Paul Haughey commented following the game that he looks forward to next weeks game against Hollywood, and hopes Newry can continue were they left of in Armagh.
Newry XV: Conor O‘Neill,D Reilly,J Collins,O Rice,D Tolan,A O’Donnell,R Gordon, P Haughey, J Matthews, Cathal O’Neill, C Keenan, M McCabe, D Kelly, D Armstrong, F Lewis.
