Clogher Valley possibly have three games left in their season, three massive games that has joint coach Davy Black enthusing “it’s just great to be in the middle of this” as their bid to secure senior rugby continues.

Saturday’s win over OLBC means that Valley now travel to Kanturk in Mallow, County Cork where they know a win will secure a play-off with Instonian with the a place in All-Ireland three at stake.

Factor in a Towns’ Cup final against Donaghadee on Easter Monday and it is clear to be seen that Valley have to much to play for.

Davy explains: “The boys are putting in some great effort and it’s just great to be in the middle of this. Saturday was a great win and we have picked up a few injuries but there is no option but to get straight back into it. If we can win against Kanturk then that sets up Instonians and there is also a small matter of the Towns’ Cup final against Donaghadee. We will give it a go and it is great to be playing these big games, our season could have ended six weeks ago.” Davy delighted with how his players responded after the defeat to Bray. “It took us a wee while to work out OLBC but once we did the win was pretty convincing in the end. I thought some of the young players that came in really stood up to be counted and it also proves that you will get a chance to come through the ranks.” On Saturday, Valley started brightly against the slope and with Ryan Wilson leading the drives, OLBC were penalised and Armstrong kicked the simple penalty for a Valley 3-0 lead after two minutes.

However OLBC were quickly back in the game when Valley dealt with a kick poorly and were penalised themselves for a 3-3 scoreline.

Valley returned to the attack and at the first scrum drove OLBC backwards and won a penalty. Valley kicked to touch deep in OLBC 22 but then lost the lineout and OLBC cleared the danger.

Man of the match Armstrong playing at out-half was dictating play with some fine kicking and Valley were well on top but OLBC were always dangerous on the counter attack as they tried to move the ball wide at every opportunity. On several occasions only fine tackles by Breen and Speer stopped the threat. As usual the Valley defensive line was proving difficult to break down for the opposition.

Valley were well on top but could not make the break through and went 6-3 down when penalised on their own ten metre line. Half time arrived with Valley losing despite having the best of possession and territory.

Valley started the second half poorly. They knocked on the restart kick and OLBC had a period of play deep in Valley 22. A Valley scrum was pushed backward and OLBC turned the ball over and moved it swiftly wide for a try in the corner and a 11-3 lead.

The Valley response was immediate. A kick through by Armstrong saw a race for the line only just won by OLBC for a 22 drop out. Valley attacked from the restart and were only just stopped short. However they had won a penalty and Armstrong reduced the deficit to 6-11.

Then came the defining moment of the game. Valley stopped an OLBC drive on half way and turned the ball over. With OLBC up in attack Valley kicked long and deep into OLBC 22. The OLBC full back seemed to have the situation well covered but McKenna and Treanor had chased the kick aggressively. McKenna charged down the kick to touch and dived on the ball for an improbable Valley converted try and a 13-11 lead.

This lifted the Valley side and for the last 20 minutes of the game they were encamped in the OLBC 22. Twice they were held up over the line but eventually phase after phase took its toll on the OLBC defence and Armstrong squeezed over for another try and a 20-11 Valley lead. With five minutes left an OLBC player was red carded for a stamp on Valley scrum half Best. Valley went to touch and after several phases were stopped just short of the line as OLBC turned the ball over. OLBC choose to attack from behind their own posts but Valley pressurised the ball, regained possession and drove Treanor over for a converted try and a 27-11 victory.