Clogher Valley and Enniskillen will face each other in the Powerade Towns’ Cup this Saturday, with a place in the final at stake.
The semi-final draw pitted the two local rivals against each other, and although Qualifying One side Clogher Valley go into the match as favourites, Enniskillen coach Norman Richmond is hoping his team can upset the odds.
“It is a big game for everyone at the club and everyone is well geared up for it,” he said. “This game comes down to delivering an 80 minute performance and we will have to play to the best of our ability. Clogher Valley who are a well-seasoned and experienced team with a strong record in the Towns Cup so it will be a difficult task but we aim to go down on Saturday and to compete for a finals place in the Towns’ Cup! We’ve had a fantastic run since mid-December and will hope to keep the momentum going. 
“I continue to back this talented bunch of players, I believe in them and feel that they deserve every opportunity to move forward. Whoever comes out at the end of the game deserves to go forward into the final as it’s a testament to the players and rugby in the area.”
Enniskillen will be weakened by the loss of Ashley Finlay for the game but they secured a convincing victory last weekend without him and Norman is confident they can once again fill the void successfully. 
“We are missing a couple of players and probably the key player we are missing is Ashley Finlay who is away with Portora,” he said. 
“Undoubtedly he will be a massive loss to the team but we played without him last week and I have been able to pull someone else into that position who has done a good job,”
Enniskillen were last in the final of the Towns’ Cup in 2007 and have not won the tournament since 1937, but in contrast Clogher Valley have almost made the trophy a regular fixture in their clubhouse, taking part in five of the last six finals. The form book says they should make their sixth final on Saturday, but coach Davy Black is not taking anything for granted.
“I suppose people will look at us as favourites,” he admits. 
“Our history and our league position might put us as favourites but in a local derby it tends to even teams out and I will be expecting a big challenge on Saturday, which is the way we will be approaching it. Credit to Enniskillen, they are in the semi-final and they have earned it. They have beaten last year’s finalists so they are there on merit. Derby days even things out so I think it will come down to hunger and desire as much as anything.”
Davy reckons the occasion will lift both sets of players, and predicts a thrilling spectacle. “It’s a special game,” he admitted. 
“For both teams it’s the big one in terms of local rivalry and both sets of players know each other well and there is good friendships on both sides but come half two on Saturday there will be no quarter given. 
“I have worked with a few of the Enniskillen lads in the juniors and I know they will know a lot about us as well but it will be full on when the game starts. I’m looking forward to it and I know the supporters are looking forward to it. I’m expecting a big crowd and it’s great for rugby in the west to have these two teams and Omagh in the other semi-final all competing in the last four of the Towns Cup. It shows the strength of what we are doing down here.”
More important than earning derby day bragging rights is a place in the final, and Davy believes his team are going into the clash in the right frame of mind and with confidence high.
“The fact it is a derby adds a bit of spice to it, but first and foremost for us it is the semi-final of the Towns Cup, and it is a game we want to progress, and go on to win the cup,” he said. “That was the aim when we set out and that is the aim on Saturday. 
“We ran the league leaders Instonians, who have been one of the best teams in junior rugby for the past few seasons, to within three points so that would tell you we are back in there. 
“We played CI last week and maybe beat them even more convincingly than the score line would suggest so I’m very confident in the way our boys are performing. They have worked very hard all year in training and their fitness levels are up there and I am very confident they are in good form and playing good rugby.” 
The game kicks off at 2.30pm at the Cran.