Towns cup win begins post-Steenson era for Clogher

Editorial Department • Published 4 Feb 2010 14:31 0 Comments

Share this

Clogher Valley's R Fleming and D Dunlop both launch themselves at the ball to get the touch in this try against Lisburn on Saturday. In fact it was Dunlop who came out the winner in this contest.

At the end of a week when Clogher Valley and Coach Colin Steenson parted company by mutual agreement, Valley entertained Lisburn in the second round of the Towns Cup. A positive mid-morning pitch inspection was proved to be the correct decision as the 2.30 kick-off went ahead in glorious winter sunshine.

Lisburn started strongly but slowly the rusty Valley machine ground into gear and the home crowd were treated to a display of attacking rugby featuring backs and forwards.Good work by second row Fleming led to an unconverted try by Speer after 10 minutes.

Skipper Giles disrupted Lisburn scrum possession and after the full back fumbled in the 22,Sharkey hacked ahead for Dunlop to score at the posts.Best's conversion made it 12 - 0 after 25 minutes.

The pressure on the visitors was relentless and after the forwards released quick ruck ball,Duhig appeared on out half Best's shoulder to take the ball at pace and cut through the visitors defence for Valley's third try. Lisburn tried to relieve the pressure but a stray kick out of defence was fielded by Andy Breen who sent his Brother Ally in for a try at the corner.Best's conversion rebounded off the upright but the visitors could not stem the flow of the Valley attacks.Giles rounded off a spell of forward pressure with an unconverted try on the stroke of half time. 27 - 0 at the break.

On the restart Valley moved the ball left and Ally Breen came into the line at pace to score his second try.Best's conversion made it 34-0 and the visitor's resolve was broken.

Speer scored a converted try and a break by Best led to a try by Falconer.The conversion rebounded off the post again,but Valley were cruising at 46 - 0.

Sharkey decided to get into the action when he grounded after a forward take and drive from a line out.Shortly afterwards he seized on loose ball on half way and outsprinted a dispirited Lisburn defence for the last try of the game.Best converted both and the referee brought proceedings to an early close to leave the final score 60 - 0 to Valley.

On Saturday Valley travel to All- Ireland Junior Cup Winners, City of Derry attempting to bring about a major upset and get their League campaign back on track.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 04 Feb 10

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.