Clogher Valley will be hoping for All Ireland glory on Saturday when they take on Ballyclare in the Energia All-Ireland Junior Cup final at Kingspan Stadium.

This is Valley’s second appearance in the final having lost out to Enniscorthy in the 2014 decider.

In a tight encounter, the Wexford side went on to secure a narrow one point victory, coming from 6-0 down at half time to win 10-9 with Clogher seeing a late penalty tail just wide.

Six players remain from that final loss and that will surely drive them on as they aim to go one better than in 2014 and get their hands on the trophy.

David Sharkey, a veteran of many finals and a stalwart of the club says: “There is a real buzz about this team. They work hard and prepare well for matches. They have an energy and passion for the game that I haven’t seen too often from teams and whilst there will be nerves, once the whistle goes for the start of the game, we get on with our game plan.”

Michael Treanor who also played in the 2014 final added: “We have had a few tough games in recent weeks and that really prepares you for these big occasions.

“Some people are making huge sacrifices in terms of time and travelling to represent this club, we hope we can perform on the day to make all of the effort worthwhile.

“In the last final, we felt we allowed the occasion to get to us and we all know we could have played better. Ballyclare are a great team and it will be a tough game, but we feel we owe it to the supporters to give it our best effort.”

Clogher Valley have been impressive en route to the final, they brushed aside Newcastle West scoring 45 points against the Munster side in the semi-final and beat Dromore 23-6 in the quarter final to set up the clash with Ballyclare.

And it is not just in the cup that they have excelled this season with Clogher coming into the final in fine form. Stephen Bothwell’s side sit second in the Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship Division One table behind leaders Instonians.

Indeed, their only defeat this season has been at the hands of Instonians who recorded a one point victory at the Cran back in October.

And Clogher also have a win over Ballyclare in the league already this season although Ballyclare have been going well too and currently sit third in the league although they are 15 points behind Clogher with the same number of games played.

Under Bothwell, Clogher have been playing a more expansive, exciting brand of rugby with a lot of talented young players making their way into the 1st XV. And that in turn has increased the interest with large crowds now attending the Cran.

“The supporters have been brilliant,” says skipper Paul Armstrong.

“They can sense when you need that lift and it makes a real difference.”

Club Chairman Nigel Leggitt has praised this team and all of the teams who turn out each week to represent the club.

“Making finals inspires the other players within the club, but also those who do the work in the background.

“I am immensely proud to have been the Chairman over this period, Clogher Valley is a very strong community club and while everyone sees the on-pitch performances, there are so many volunteers and parents working in the background to make this club work. I thank them all.”

This season has been a superb one for the Clogher Valley club as whole with the Valley 2nds and 3rds sitting in the top three of their respective leagues and the U16s are in the final of the Ulster League play-offs.

This season saw a return to girls rugby at the Valley after an absence of several years with strong U14 and U16 squads and the start of a new initiative ‘Rugbees’ for three to seven year olds.

“The focus for the club, though, is now switching to the support of the 1st XV heading to Kingspan for the final” said the President Eric Mitchell.

“The opportunity to play in All Ireland Finals does not come around very often, indeed, some clubs never get the chance,” he said.

This is an all ticket affair and tickets can only be purchased from Ulster Rugby via the Ulster Rugby Tickets | Rugby Union Tickets | Ticketmaster IE. Tickets will not be able to be purchased on the day at the entrance.