Cavan RFC Notes: U15 I XV 15 v Clogher Valley RFC U15 I XV 12: Report

Co. Cavan U15 15 – Clogher Valley 12: Matches between Co Cavan RFC and Clogher Valley RFC under 15s are always evenly matched, closely contested affairs and it was to prove no different last Saturday when Clogher Valley travelled to Swellan Park for a highly entertaining game of rugby. Following a frustrating 10 – 10 draw away to Newry the previous week, Co Cavan RFC were on the warpath and determined to give the visitors a welcome they would not forget, emerging victorious 15 – 12 from a close fought battle. However, the best laid plans go awry and Co Cavan were caught napping several minutes into the first half by a fresh Clogher Valley team, going over for a soft try in the corner. Cavan soon regained their composure and attacking play by winger Sean Keady brought play firmly into the Clogher Valley half, as the Cavan forwards Cian Martin and Cillian Murtagh kept up an unrelentless battery of assault on their Valley opposition. Cool heads by Cavan forwards Karl Heaslip and Conor Tully in the ruck were rewarded with them being awarded a penalty for Clogher Valley putting their hands in. Co Cavan captain and outhalf Ryan Guilfoyle made no mistake from his first penalty kick at goal of the day to bring Cavan within 2 points of Clogher Valley. Minutes later a rare Valley foray into Cavan’s 22 was abruptly brought to a halt by defensive play from Cavan full back Cian Goodrich and winger Peter Watson. A Clogher Valley scrum was hotly contested by Cavan front row Karl Heaslip, Aaron Crowe and Kevin Maguire, while flankers Joshua Cherry and Adam McClean, playing his first match in that position, successfully disrupted the Clogher Valley scrum half, as they did on many occasions throughout the match. Following turnover to Cavan, the nimble hands of Cavan prop Karl Heaslip ensured safe delivery to Cavan centre Padraig Sweeney who made a blistering run three quarter of the pitch to score Cavan’s first try of the match under the posts; with Guilfoyle duly slotting home the conversion. Later in the first half, Cavan were unlucky not to score with their No. 8 Conor Tully peeling off the back of a scrum on Clogher Valley’s 5 metre line, but held up. No mistake was made moments later as Cavan hooker Kevin Maguire was driven over the try line by hard working prop Karl Heaslip for Cavan’s second try of the match. Despite a try by Valley in the second half, Cavan continued to dominate, with Aaron Crowe dominating the Clogher Valley prop in scrums, as did Sean og McGivney, who proved that the Cavan front row muscle was too much for the Valley front row. Swift delivery by Cavan scrum half Enda Goodrich repeatedly provided fast ball out to Conor O’Reilly who relentlessly attacked the weakening Clogher Valley defences. Flanker Cian Hughes dealt deftly with any attempts by Valley to influence scrums and Co. Cavan held firm until full time to earn a well deserved and hard fought victory. This rapidly improving squad are looking forward to next week’s short journey to close neighbours Virginia RFC to contest for a top of the league position.