Clogher Valley 1st XV 10 Ballyclare 1st XV 15

At the fourth time of asking, Ballyclare got one over on Clogher Valley after another titanic struggle at the Cran on Saturday.

The ’Clare missed a penalty early doors before the home side upped the ante to control possession and territory.

Alas, before they put together a sustained assault, Dunwoody on his first game back from injury had to leave the field and consequently force a reshuffle.

Treanor left the front row to pack down in the second row, Sharkey moved to the flank, and Primrose left the bench, a bit earlier than expected, to the now vacant prop position.

Playing towards the golf club end, the Valley were hopeful of putting some space between themselves and the visitors by the break.

It was not to be.

Ballyclare didn’t commit many defenders to the rucks and mauls but instead spread out in a very effective defensive formation.

The normal strike runners were left with little space to work in but Haire did manage several incisions as the half unfolded.

Another long-range ’Clare penalty sailed wide before the Valley encamped in the visitors’ 22’ metre area.

An intercept led to a panic in the Valley rear guard as Ballyclare swept almost the entire length of the pitch before a knock-on stalled their progress.

The Valley regained good field position and despite some controlled ball retention the try-scoring opportunities didn’t materialise, and it was left to the skipper, Armstrong, to convert a penalty for the narrowest of margin leads at the break.

The Valley had a bright opening to the second period but like the first half were getting no return for the effort.

’Clare came more into the game as it progressed. A neat chip over the Valley defence saw their Captain, centre McBride, catch and shake of the covering defence to score the opening try which was duly converted.

They returned to the offensive with another ‘dink’ over the top causing problems for the Valley.

Ballyclare held strong field position for a period before being awarded a penalty in front of posts, stretching their lead to seven points.

The Valley almost hit back immediately a powerful driving maul that was held up as it crossed the goal line.

Ballyclare soon made their way up the pitch again for McBride to create and finish a well-worked try which this time went unconverted.

The Valley threw everything they had left at Ballyclare in the remaining ten minutes.

Big carries forced the visitors deep into their own half. Man of the Match Treanor was in the thick of the action as his side tried to address the arrears.

The Valley were repulsed on several occasions before Armstrong put Reece Smyton into a sliver of space.

The big centre had much to do but he managed to crash over for the first Valley try. Armstrong quickly converted as time ebbed away.

The large gathering of Valley supporters sensed another All Ireland Cup moment, but déjà vu was not to be.

Ballyclare held on to progress to the Towns’ Cup semi-final.