Sat 14th Dec, 11:00am. Clogher 7 – 10 Omagh
Omagh U17s win in Clogher despite weather conditions
by David Stewart
Omagh were in league action on Saturday when they overcame an experienced Clogher Valley side in atrocious conditions in Fivemiletown.
Clogher Valley U17s 7 Omagh U17s 10
Omagh were in league action on Saturday when they overcame an experienced Clogher Valley side in atrocious conditions in Fivemiletown. Credit must go to both teams as they battled the elements to produce an enthralling game. Due to late cry offs Omagh had to reshuffle bringing Stuart Robinson into scrum half, moving James Kee to centre to partner Packy ONeill. Omagh won the toss and elected to play into wind and so as expected soon found themselves under pressure deep in their own half. Early waves of attack were repelled but just as the visitors were starting to settle Clogher broke clear to touch down under the posts leaving the conversion a formality. Despite the setback Omagh got a foothold in the game and started to go through the phases, recycling repeatedly to push their opponents back. It was fast, it was feisty and crucially it was Omagh who were dictating the terms. Attempts by Clogher to use the wind to gain territory were ably coped with by the Omagh back three of Leon Clarke, Eamon Orr and Alister McFarland. Omagh always looked the more likely to score but although they made impressive line-breaks through James Rutledge, mark brown and Sam Hamilton they failed to bank rewards for that endeavor. Although Omagh were dominant in the scrums, the line outs were a lottery and so quality ball was at a premium. The closest the visitors came to scoring was on the stroke of half time when Johnny McFarland got over the line but lost control of the ball before grounding.
Turning around Omagh knew they had to keep up the same intensity to be able to use the elements to their advantage. Straight away out half Matthew Sweeney sent a clever kick deep into the home twenty two to set up base camp. Possession was secured and after Rutledge almost broke through Sweeney showed great vision to pick out Leon Clarke on the left wing with a perfect pass to cross and touch down. ONeill stroked over the conversion to level the scores. Omagh continued to dominate and when, in the face of a fresh wave of pressure Clogher went offside ONeill punished them by sending the difficult penalty between the posts. If Omagh thought the home team would wilt they were to be disappointed. Valley fought back carrying ball through their forwards and were met with solid defence with James Kee and James Rutledge in particular, tackling themselves to a standstill. Clogher continued to press but time after time Omagh held firm with mark brown on more than one occasion turning over ball to rescue the situation. As the clock ticked down and conditions worsened the game remained on a knife edge. When one last Valley attack was repelled, Omagh were awarded a penalty which was kicked into touch to signal the end of a pulsating game.Yet again the Omagh team spirit stood out as all the players pushed each other to the limit to secure the victory.
Team: A. Hetherington. M. Hopton-Brown, S.Hamilton, R.Campbell, M.ONeill, J.Rutledge, J.McFarland, M.Killen, S.Robinson, M.Sweeney, L.Clarke, J.Kee, P.ONeill, E.Orr, A.McFarland. Subs; J. O,Hanlon, M.Doherty.
Sat 14th Dec, 11:00am. Clogher Valley 25 – 17 Omagh
Debut try for Niall McKenna the highlight for Omagh in a game deservedly won by Clogher Valley.
by Kevin Murnaghan
Omagh Accies travelled to Fivemiletown on Saturday to take on local rivals Clogher Valley in the League.
The match was played in atrocious weather conditions and the players on both sides deserve huge credit for producing such a competitive game.
Omagh were lined up with their largest squad of the season including new players Joe Neely, Ben McFarland and Niall McKenna. The Valley were also at full strength. All week there had been an extra sense of excitement for some of the players given that they sat in the same classrooms as some of their opponents.
It is often that case that the team that plays against the elements first adapts better and so it proved to be the case. Clogher Valley were playing into a howling gale and driving rain. Their well drilled pack of forwards picked and drove and didn’t attempt to move the ball to any great extent. The tactic was effective though and despite the efforts of Thomas Boyd and Simon Creane, in particular, the Valley boys consistently made ground.
The young Accies tried to move the ball wide at every opportunity as they have been doing all season. In these conditions that was a risky tactic and often possession turned into a liability.
Ultimately Clogher Valley got on the scoreboard first with pressure leading to a try in the corner. On an impossible day for goal kicking it was no surprise that the conversion was missed.
The Accies then suffered a setback when Joseph Mc Garvey was forced to go off with a recurrence of a calf injury. This allowed Niall McKenna make his debut a little earlier in the game than had been planned. Niall’s introduction proved the catalyst for the Accies best period of play. Niall chased down a well placed kick and tackled his opponent. His teammates arrived in support and, when they were able to turnover the ball, Matthew Murnaghan showed good strength to get across the line to level the score.
Clogher were next to score before Matthew Murnaghan took a quick penalty to get his second score. Matthew then surprised everyone except himself when landing the conversion to give the Accies a 12 : 10 half time lead.
The second half was always going to be difficult given the weather and it was testament to both teams that the boys were prepared to endure the conditions and continue. The cold however was certainly starting to take its toll. Clogher Valley managed to score 2 quick tries to put them into a commanding 20 : 12 lead.
The 8 point difference was always going to be a mountain to climb but the young Accies did not give up. Krystian Kazmierski was playing a captains role through the pain barrier and Niall Alexander, Matthew Kerr and Rory Lowry kept plugging away. Dylan Walsh also continued to show what a useful player he can be while Jack Moore was, with Simon Creane, probably the pick of the Omagh forwards.
It was the backs though that got the Accies back in the game. Daniel Monaghan, playing one of his best games this season, found Niall McKenna with a difficult pass. Niall had plenty to do but he showed great pace and strength to beat four Clogher Valley players to get in for the try.
The Accies pressed hard for what would surely be the winning score but it was Clogher who were to have the final say with a try in the corner when the Accies just ran out of defenders.
The match was played in a great spirit and credit to all who persevered, especially Rory Murnaghan who played the whole match at full back. Ben McFarland also made his debut and will benefit from the experience whilst Philip Rainey and Harry Matthews both played well.
Special mention also for Rory Ritchie who must have out-tackled his Clogher Valley cousin even if he did finish on the losing side.
Youth Training continues this Thursday night at Omagh Leisure Centre from 6.00pm until 8.00pm. The Accies play Portadown next Saturday in the cup
New players in Years 8 & 9 would also be very welcome
