Clogher Valley coach Stephen Bothwell believes the club have never been in better position to face the challenge of All-Ireland rugby, as they prepare for the All-Ireland Play Off final against Richmond on Saturday.

Victory would earn Clogher Valley a spot in the Senior league set-up for the first time in their history, and Bothwell reckons the time is now right to make the leap if they can edge past Richmond.

“In other years it was an older team and we maybe weren’t as keen to go up as a club,” he admitted.

“It would be hard work, but we are young and enthusiastic and you have to challenge the boys.

‘Big change’

“It would be a big change. You will not have the same cup runs. You are in Senior rugby at the bottom of the pile, and you are not going to be in that category of going for Senior cups, so you are not going to have as many big days.

“This year we have had a few tough games but our average score in the league was 41-9, and we feel it is time to challenge ourselves higher up and try it.”

The squad have suffered an injury setback in the run up to the game, with both Aaron Crawford and scrum half Matthew Bothwell suffering injuries against Enniskillen in the Towns’ Cup semi-final that will keep them out of the game, but the coach is confident they have the strength in depth to overcome that setback.

“We won’t be at full strength,” acknowledged Bothwell.

“We lost Aaron Crawford against Enniskillen, who put his shoulder out, and Matthew Bothwell at scrum half is out because he did his ligaments in his knee on Wednesday night.

Good replacements

“They are first team players for a reason, and they will definitely be missed, but we have good replacements to come in.

“Neil Trotter at scrum half has played throughout the season, and we do try to rotate, so most of the boys coming in have played at that level before.”

Richmond played their All-Ireland semi-final immediately after Clogher Valley’s last four tie, so the coaching team were able to get a close look at their opposition, and Bothwell knows they will have to be at the top of their game to progress.

“We will be taking nothing for granted,” he said.

“Richmond won the Munster league and beat Creggs in the semi-final, and I’m sure when they have got this far they will be in it to win it as well.

‘Impose our strengths’

“They have a big pack and a very good kicking ten, who is an older hand but very good. It is Munster-type rugby, but if we can impose our strengths then I think we will be hard to live with.

“The set piece is going to be crucial. They will be a set piece team with a big pack. A big scrum. It is a good challenge for us.”