POWERADE TOWNS CUP FINAL PREVIEW
It is fifty six years since Donaghadee last appeared in the Towns Cup Final and ninety since they won it. In 1924 the Dee defeated Dungannon 4-3 and in 1958 they were themselves defeated 11-3 by Lurgan. A long time to wait then for a return to Ravenhill for a shot at modern day success in this competition was achieved when the Dee overcame Ballynahinch at Ballymacarn Park in a hard fought Semi Final two and half weeks ago. The Dee do, however, have recent cup to success to boast about in the form of a victory in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup in 2011 when they defeated Coleraine 10-0 in the Final at Ulster Rugby’s headquarters. Such is the turnover in personnel in modern day rugby that only a few from the Junior Cup winning squad remain still involved with the 1st XV this season – namely Chris Good, Gareth Gordon, Richard Martindale, current skipper Alastair Lockhart, Paul Blewitt, Nigel Barker, Rory Garnham, Bill Allen and Chris McGivern together with Manager Peter Matthews and Physio Niall Moraghan. Dee openside flanker Chris Hamilton would have been involved in 2011 but was still recovering from a broken leg when the Final was played.
Donaghadee’s opponents, Clogher Valley are the current Kukri Qualifying League One Champions and narrowly lost out on a shot at AIL status when they were defeated 18-7 in Kanturk last Saturday. Clogher Valley (a Club only formed in 1990) first appeared in the Towns Cup Final in 2006 and have been there a further four times since claiming the Cup on three occasions – the last of which was in 2012 when they overcame Ballymena by a 11-0 scoreline. Valley have been the stand-out side in Qualifying One for a number of years now and will look to their star players David Sharkey, brothers Ryan and BJ Wilson together with their skipper Stephen Baxter – all part of a very strong pack – to carry them through aided by a more than effective backline in which half-backs Aaron Best & Philip Holme along with full-back Paul Armstrong are the key performers.
A tall order awaits for the Dee men then but Coaches Paul McKenzie, Stuart Hennessey and John West will take great heart from the two sides last league meeting at Donaldson Park a month ago when they were extremely unfortunate to end up on the wrong side of a 6-3 scoreline and are confident that the experience of the men making a second Ravenhill appearance in three years together with the youthful impact of players such as Jack Cooke and Max Montgomery will lead to a game to remember.
The match kicks off at 2.30pm on Easter Monday 21st April at Ravenhill. Admission is £8 for adults and £3 for children and is payable at the turnstiles. As well as the coach travel planned by various organisations within the town places on Club buses can be secured from Pier 36 in Donaghadee and InSport in Newtownards at a cost of £10 (including a hamburger). The Clubhouse Bar will be open from 11:30am and the first bus will depart for Ravenhill at 12:30pm.
CUP FEVER HITS THE ‘DEE…… AGAIN!
It’s only a few days to Easter but sports fans in Donaghadee are counting the days to the 21st April and Donaghadee’s appearance in the Powerade Towns Cup Final at Ravenhill against Clogher Valley. Hopes are high that the Club will be bringing back the Towns Cup to Donaghadee for the first time since 1924.
Club President Bill Boomer sees this as a real opportunity to develop community spirit in the town. He said “This is one of the major cup competitions in Ulster rugby and it would be fantastic if the team can bring us back the trophy. I hope the local population will make the short trip to Ravenhill and show their support for the team. It promises to be a great occasion.” Just as in 2011 when the Club won the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup the Club and traders in the town have clubbed together and have decorated the town in a display of posters, bunting and in so doing decking the town out in the team colours of red and green. Club Vice Chairman Ian Fleming said “Donaghadee getting to the final has given everyone in the community a huge boost once again. The Club has been part of the town for nearly 130 years and this is an opportunity for the local population and the community to show their support for the Club. There is a real sense of excitement and anticipation with everyone talking about the match and the team’s prospects”
Local pubs, the Golf Club, the football Club and even Churches are reporting strong demand for seats and this, together with those spectators travelling by car seems sure to guarantee strong support for the Dee.
Director of Rugby at Donaghadee Jim Lyttle said “Donaghadee Rugby Club would like to thank those sponsors who have played no small part in the Club’s success over the last number of seasons. Without the help of our sponsors and the local community all of the local sports clubs could not flourish to the extent they do. The goodwill and encouragement which we have received from far and wide has been a source of great encouragement to skipper Alastair Lockhart and the team. Although the lads will face a gargantuan task against very strong opponents, as ever, the Dee greatly value the sterling support of both their regulars and the wider community on occasions such as these and hope we can emulate the numbers which travelled to Ravenhill three years ago and add the Towns Cup to the list of honours won in recent seasons.”
