Omagh 3’s unfortunately lost in their first outing in the Crawford Cup on Saturday, playing against a team that had beaten them well in a previous encounter the Tyrone men can hold their heads high as they produced a spirited comeback against a very strong Dromore side. Choosing to receive it was clear the first 10 minutes that the Omagh team were just not at the races, a slipped tackle right from kick off and the Dromore centre pounced through to make it 7 nil after just a few minutes. CLICK HERE for 150+ shots. Clearly shell shocked Omagh let in another easy score as from the kick off two missed tackles allowed the Dromore flanker to sprint in from 40 meters out. Omagh then began to wake up; keeping the possession and going back to the same tactics that strangled Bangor a week ago the Omagh men fought into the Dromore half and were awarded several penalties. Eventually the Omagh Captain opted to take the points knowing there was plenty of time left in the match. This left it 3-14 at the break. From the kick off the Omagh men were the better side, moving the ball with impetus and using the strike team of Joe Reid, Sheldon Monteith and Richard Harpur to good effect the Omagh pack began to exert some pressure on the gain line. With this pressure the penalties started to come, Dromore were clearly frustrated and had no ability to stay on their feet at the ruck. A yellow card for a clearly dangerous tackle on Richard Harpur was quickly followed by some cynical play at ruck time that seen another player sent to the sin bin. Down to 13 men the Dromore men had it all to do. Omagh opted for a lineout and from 5 yards out fought and scrapped their way to the line, Peter Todd eventually appeared with the ball claiming the try but it was a complete forwards effort.8 -14 It was game on, from the kick off the penalties kept coming Omagh’s way as Dromore were clearly not listening to the referees advice at ruck time. A short spell in Omagh’s half allowed the Dromore scrum half to land a penalty leaving it 8-17. Omagh’s backs then came into the game, Andrew Armstrong and Barry Bradley probed the Dromore defence with a penalty coming Omagh’s way 10 meters from the Dromore line the call was given for the quick tap by Keith Givens who crashed through two would be tacklers before going under the posts to leave an easy conversion to make it 15-17 with 4 minutes to go. Dromore then closed out the game, clearly trying to waste out the clock with short runner tactics. Omagh were clearly disappointed on Saturday a lapse of ten minutes at the start of the game cost them dear, although they can be proud of the way they fought back into the match and really should have taken the spoils. Omagh 3’s now have a well deserved break until the 5th January when they restart their league campaign. Happy holidays and we will see everyone down at the club on Boxing day for the annual exiles match!
