Clogher Valley clinched the Kukri Qualifying One title with a nine try victory at Limavady on Saturday.
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Over two hundred faithful Clogher Valley supporters made the long journey to the north west to witness an historic achievement for the young County Tyrone Club. It has been a long ,arduous and sometimes nerve-wracking journey , particularly since Christmas, but the character and never-say-die attitude of the players always shone through. The statistics speak for themselves. Played 18,won 17,drawn 1. A fantastic achievement for the squad of players,coaching staff,the over-worked physios and all the support staff.
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Valley started confidently and immediately started to probe the home defence.Andy Breen made a break in the centre and David Dunlop and David Sharkey combined to send Philip Holme in for a try in the corner which the same pl;ayer converted for an early seven point lead. Two minutes later Ryan Wilson and Jimmy Bates put Andy Breen clear and his inside pass back to Ryan brought Valley’s second seven pointer in the ninth minute. Any pre-match nerves amongst the large travelling support were soon forgotten about as Valley proceeded to grow in confidence.After being involved in the first two trys, Andy Breen was next on the score sheet when he was the recipient of a scoring pass from Wayne Lyons. Valley’s bonus point try came in the 16th minute when the back row trio of the Wilson brothers and Sharkey made a try for second row forward Ivan Dunn. Holme’s third conversion out of four took the score to 0 – 26. Philip Moore scored the fifth try after a lineout take and drive. Bates left the action to be replaced by Aaron Best.
Limavady kicked a penalty to the corner but Sharkey stole the throw.When the ball was spilled on the Valley line, the Limavady chaser pounced for an opportunists try to leave the score 5 – 31 to Valley at half time.Holme was injured in the action and had to be replaced by Philip Falconer.With both half backs off the pitch,not for the first time this season the back line had to be reshuffled. Lyons went to out half and Falconer into the centre.
The first five minutes of the second half saw Limavady enjoy their first period of possession and territory but the Valley defence was solid. Sharkey won a turnover and Andy Breen put Dunlop in at the posts .Best took over the kicking duties and was successful with his first attempt to stretch the lead to 5 – 38.
By now Valley were totally rampant and added three more converted trys before the referee brought proceeding to an early end.For the record,Dunlop ,Ally Breen and fittingly,Skipper David Sharkey scored the trys and Best made it four out of four conversions to bring the final score to 5 – 59.
Valley will now represent Ulster in the All-Ireland Qualifiers The Fixtures are as follows :–
24th March – Skerries Leinster (away)
31st March – Monivea Connaght (home)
14th April – Richmond Munster (away)
This Saturday Valley entertain neighbours Omagh in the Semi Final of the Towns Cup. A bumper crowd is expected for this eagerly awaited local Cup Derby.
INTOUCH REQUEST – CHECK THIS OUT – THUNDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ireland Ladies Rugby I XV Are playing England this weekend and need as much support as they can get – please watch the clip below and feel free to share it, they are on the verge of a great VICTORY & with Ulster representation!
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