Could IT be another derby final

Editorial Department • Published 25 Feb 2010 10:19 0 Comments

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The two parties concerned would love it but steadfastly refuse to contemplate it; which is no more than you would expect.

It, is quite simply another Enniskillen versus Clogher Valley Towns' Cup final which took a significant step closer on Saturday after both teams overcame deficits to finish strongly and win their quarter-final ties away from home.

Clogher trailed by 12-0 at the end of the first quarter but then took over to win by 23-12 while it took a last minute try from Mark O'Shea to book Skins' place in the last four.

With the draw not set to take place for at least week it is hard not to ignore the possibility of another derby final but both coaches were refusing to look any further than Saturday's upcoming games.

Enniskillen stand-in coach Allister Keys was delighted to progress but an important league game at home to Dromore was now uppermost in his mind but he did concede that it is good for rugby in the area to have two teams in the last four.

"There is no doubt it is good for rugby in the West of the Province to have two teams in the last four and the Towns' Cup adds a bit of glamour. Whatever comes in the draw comes and we will prepare accordingly. The win does create a positive atmosphere for the team and we will try to take that into a very important league game at home to Dromore from which we need to get some important league points," revealed Keys who is currently being assisted by Rob MacSweeney.

His counterpart across at the Valley, is taking a similar point of view.

"The 2006 final was a great spectacle and good for rugby in the area so purely from a spectacle point of view, a Clogher v Enniskillen final would be great but we know if we start thinking about finals then we will get nowhere. Let's see what the draw throws up and we will deal with that and to be honest, it is the Junior Cup quarter-final on Saturday that we're focusing on," said Black who also feels his team needs one more good win in the league to secure Qualifying One status.

Understandable caution from both camps but hopefully the draw will keep the two apart and then if they are good enough to get into the final, then another dream final could be in the offing.

Either way it promises to be an interesting end to the season for Skins and Clogher Valley.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 25 Feb 10

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