Second half power settles replay

Editorial Department • Published 11 Mar 2010 09:40 0 Comments

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Donaghadee 14; Clogher Valley 29;

It's certainly cup action occupying the minds of Clogher Valley at the minute as they warmed up for Saturday's Towns' Cup semi-final against Skins by progressing to the semi-final of the Junior Cup due to an excellent replay win over Donaghadee.

Clogher coach Davy Black admitted his team played much better with a change of tactics also crucial in the 29-14 win.

"To be hinets we did not play to our potential in the first game but got it right on Saturday and deserved the win," revealed Davy.

As in the previous encounter, Donaghadee were quickest out of the blocks. Slick handling aided by indifferent defending saw the lively Garnham cross wide out with only three minutes on the clock. The conversion was missed but yet again Clogher found themselves 5-0 behind in the opening minutes of a game.

Gradually the Clogher pack began to take control of the game. The big 'Dee front row were under the cosh for most of the afternoon while Sharkey and Dunn lorded the line outs.

A sustained sortie in the Dee 22 finished with Speer crashing over to level the scores.

Donaghadee's back line were always a threat and with Valley's first-up tackling slightly suspect, chances were aplenty in the second quarter and it took several last gasp tackles to prevent the Dee taking the lead at this stage.

Again though, the battle at the coal face would swing back to the visitors. Another great period of forward dominance resulted in prop forward Andrews sailing through a gap for a vital touchdown. Again the conversion was missed but with only a few minutes left in the opening period, the Valley were looking in good shape and leading 10-5.

Donaghadee though had other ideas and launched themselves at the visitors' goal line. In desperation the Valley conceded a penalty which was missed but before the visitors could breath a sigh of relief, another one was conceded. This time it was successful leaving the score at 10-8 to Valley at half time.

Coaches Bates and Breen issued the half-time instructions which proved so effective as the second period unfolded. Despite playing up the slope Clogher would dominate with their pack in complete control of proceedings. The visitors simply starved the Dee of any worthwhile possession with the home side scrum under increasing pressure. Best, back at scrum half, kept the Dee on the back foot with some astute box kicks. Though it was Donaghadee who struck first with an early penalty but this was to be Clogher's day.

Andy Breen capitalised in defensive confusion from a Best box kick to secure valuable possession. Quick ball across the back line gave Dunlop the chance to squeeze through a gap for an excellent score. McClure added the conversion for 17-11. The restart was spilled allowing Dee a brief foothold in Valley territory resulting in a subsequent penalty to reduce the deficit to three points.

The visitors struck back almost immediately. A loose pass was pounced on by Sharkey who cleverly put McClure away. The winger weaved his way towards the posts before eventually being downed. Best who had tracked his colleague, took the pop pass and raced under the post for the decisive score. McClure goaled the try that he himself had created. With the game almost in the bag Clogher played a game of "keep the ball". Ball retention out of the top drawer aided by intelligent play by out-half Lyons frustrated the Dee as the game headed to its inevitable conclusion. McClure, who was inspirational throughout, had still one trick left in the bag. A great kick ahead and race for a touchdown was the final act in a fine individual performance and complimented an excellent team showing. The conversion was missed but Valley were comfortable 29-14 winners.

A large local derby crowd is expected at The Cran on Saturday as Valley entertain Enniskillen in the semi-final of the Towns' Cup. Come early for the 2.30 kick-off.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 11 Mar 10

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