Clogher Valley followed up their AIL 2C title with another trophy as they triumphed over Ballymena in the Bank of Ireland Senior Shield, 31-22.

It rounds off a fantastic season for the club as a whole which has seen teams across the men's, women's and youth teams record some memorable victories and pick up trophies along the way.

Along with the expansions around the club facilities has given this young club a buzz like no other year.

Impartial Reporter: Clogher Valley - winners of the 2024 Bank of Ireland Senior Shield after they overcame Ballymena 31- 22.Clogher Valley - winners of the 2024 Bank of Ireland Senior Shield after they overcame Ballymena 31- 22. (Image: Impartial Reporter)

The 1st XV travelled to Ballymena for the Senior Shield final and took on a side that played this season in two leagues above the Valley which made them strong favourites.

However, Clogher tore the script up at Eaton Park in the first meeting between the club's 1st XVs.

The game was only a few minutes old when the visitors struck first, with a try from Aaron Dunwoody and a great conversion from David Maxwell.

This kick fired Ballymena into action and they replied with their own unconverted try on 12 minutes.

However, from the restart, the Valley caught them sleeping. 

After recycling the ball several times and gaining ground each time, David Maxwell came through a gap like a steam train to score the visitor's second try, which he duly converted to give the Valley a 14-5 lead.

Ballymena's experience started to show as they began to control the tempo of the game and had most of the possession.

The Valley dug in deep and hassled them where it was possible.

Impartial Reporter: Club Captain, Paul Armstrong gets stopped by the Ballymena winger but has back up from Aaron Dunwoody, the scorer of Valley's first try.Club Captain, Paul Armstrong gets stopped by the Ballymena winger but has back up from Aaron Dunwoody, the scorer of Valley's first try. (Image: Impartial Reporter)

Paul Armstrong got his hands on the ball and hacked through, Maxwell stepped his way through the Ballymena defence, gathered the ball and touched down for his second try to lead 19-5.

The hosts went back to controlling the game and starved the Valley of any decent ball time.

The pressure eventually told and the hosts crossed the line for their second try and it was now 19-10.

As the game entered the last few minutes of the first half, the ball went loose and Regan Wilkinson reacted quickest and made vital ground, before off-loading to Ewan Haire to score in the corner.

Maxwell converted from the touchline and the Valley led 26-10 at the interval.

The second period was a tough encounter for the Valley, contending with the strong wind in their faces along with the physicality of this much bigger and more experienced side.

Impartial Reporter: Aaron Dunwoody taking the only route he knows towards the try line over the top of opposition players.Aaron Dunwoody taking the only route he knows towards the try line over the top of opposition players. (Image: Impartial Reporter)

It was not long before the hosts were back on the score sheet with a converted try under the posts.

With Ballymena continuing to apply pressure Clogher stood strong in defence before snatching the next try of the game with a brilliantly worked score.

Ballymena were to score again to bring the score to 31-22 but the Valley held on to win their first Senior Shield in the club’s history.

Looking back at the season, club captain Paul Armstrong, praised the supporters along with the squad.

“We have a great squad, with a lot of players fighting for their places in the teams”, said the skipper. 

“The supporters have been brilliant all season, they really have been the legionary 16th player.”

Impartial Reporter: David Stinson lines up the Ballymena replacement hooker.David Stinson lines up the Ballymena replacement hooker. (Image: Impartial Reporter)

Supporting his comments, the team manager Richard Haire added: “This is a great wee club, no matter where the game is across the whole of Ireland, far or near, the Valley supporters will outnumber the home side.”

Reflecting on the performances over the season, club coach, Stephen Bothwell said: “We have had some great games, with one or two I would prefer to forget, but our defence has been fantastic and this is what we have built our success on.

"That however takes effort and I would like to thank all of the players, the assistant coaches and the whole club for the support and hard work throughout the season.” 

“We have now a good squad who can compete at Senior level,” said the coach who added: “We move into a league where we will be competing against the likes of Dungannon RFC, something we would not have thought possible, but this is the squad that can compete with teams like that and I am looking forward to next season.” 

Whilst the playing season may have ended, improvements around the club continue over the summer and camps for new players, such as ‘Give Rugby Go for girls’ take place.

Mark Henderson, finishing his tenure as Club President after two years, said: “Whilst the performance on the pitch is important, what makes this club enjoyable and so successful is the people working hard behind the scenes.” 

“It is the people who keep the grounds in fantastic shape, that produce the food for 90 people before games and then the teams after the match, it is 100 plus volunteers throughout the club that keep the shop open, car parking, fixtures, lights working, club finance going, coaches, sponsors and then the parents and supporters.” 

“I would like to thank them all."