Last season Armagh managed to defeat Nenagh, albeit narrowly, when they played in New Ormond Park. That 14-8 victory bore no relevance to Saturday’s fixture and with Nenagh sitting ahead of Armagh in the Ulster Bank All Ireland League the chat throughout the home team was that they were home side were prepared for a hard game. CLICK HERE for the shots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! from GCP
The previous four days saw rain, frost and snow,being thrown at the Palace Grounds but the drainage improvements which were carried out in season 2005-6 certainly showed their worth on Saturday. As if all that water raining on to the pitch was not enough at the kick-off a stiff, biting wind got up and swept from the Palace end.
Before the kick-off there was a minutes silence when all the players from both home games showed their respect following the death of the ex-club president, Bill McDonagh.
Immediately after the kick-off Armagh were penalised directly in front of their posts for coming into a ruck from the side. The Nenagh kicker, Dan Fogarty stepped up and with consummate ease put the visitors 0-3 ahead. The visitors continued to take advantage of the breeze and continually put touch kicks in behind the Armagh defences. Not to be outdone, however, the Armagh forwards gave an exhibition on rucking and after winning such a ruck the ball was spun across to the right wing where Josh Morton ran in a beautiful try. Unfortunately Dylan Fererria’s conversion went just wide of the posts.
Before the break Armagh were penalised again due to another rucking misdemeanour. Again Fogarty’s kick was good and the visitors went 5-6 ahead at the end of the first half.
As Armagh started into the second half the wind became a determining factor in the match. Armagh took greater advantage of the beeze and pinned Nenagh inside their 22 for the first fifteen minutes of the half. Time after time the Armagh team pushed the Nenagh scrum clean off the ball and as a result of one of these efforts the ball was spun out to winger, Andrew Willis who ran in the second Armagh try. Again the conversion went wide as the wind pulled it wide of the posts, Ten minutes later Armagh forwards gathered momentum in the form of a rolling maul and at the hands of no. 8, James McCall they scored their third try. Richard Reaney obliged with the conversion to open out the score gap to 17-6.
Try as they did the Nenagh team could not force their way out of their 22 and Armagh continued to try to score the elusive bonus try. After several failed attempts the referee blew the game up after issuing two cards to Nenagh players.
The game showed us two sides who wanted to play entertaining rugby. The difference being that Armagh, when on form, can open even the tightest defence.
This win puts Armagh up to fourth position in the league, where they overtake Nenagh. It should be noted that Armagh now, with only 99 points scored against them have the second strongest defence record, only bettered by Rainey with 91 points.
Armagh’s next fixture is on Saturday 9th February when they entertain Rainey Old Boys at The Palace Grounds in the Ulster Senior League.
