Clogher eventually negotiated their way through this potential ‘banana skin’ quarter final tie at Carrick on Saturday.
The visitors opened up in determined fashion and soon went ahead. A super take by Greaves in a lineout resulted in a Sharkey try which Holme goaled and after five minutes the Valley were seven points up. Clogher continued to edge the early exchanges and should have gone further ahead midway through the half. Playing advantage Clogher had crossed but alas were called back and awarded the penalty much to the consternation of those involved. Prop Stafford had to leave the field of play after a nasty looking ankle injury. Falconer, a centre by trade, left the bench for his first taste of front row play and coped admirably as the game progressed. The visitors continued to hold the territorial advantage for the remainder of the half with the useful looking Carrick back division being forced to strike from deep. Cloghers normal solid defence was far from evident but in the end they managed to contain the increasingly confident Carrick three quarters until the half time break.
Carrick were a much more positive side in the second period and opened up in spectacular style. A sweeping backline movement aided by a catalogue of defensive errors resulted in winger Moore powering over at the corner flag. The conversion was missed as were several subsequent penalties as the home side continued to enjoy their best period. Eventually the Valley grunt brigade began to wrestle back control again and force play, through a series of powerful drives, backs to the Carrick half. A fortuitous penalty gave Bates an opening. A quick tap and he was off, Greaves reacted in unison and the second rower got his reward grabbing the touchdown at the posts which was goaled again by Holme.
Carrick responded and several probing offensives were only just halted by Clogher. Skipper B J Wilson and winger Stafford made two superb try saving tackles as the pressure began to build. McAleer was sin binned for ‘going over the top’ and anxiety was descending on the travelling support. Carrick changed tactics and kicked more as the half unfolded. But Breen, Todd, Stafford and the ever present Bates handled these at ease. Breen late on returned one with interest and Clogher had again a foothold in the Carrick 22’. Now the Clogher pack would force the issue. Strong runs by Falconer Trimble and Wilson created a chance allowing outhalf Best to dance between the remaining defenders to score a well-crafted try. Holmes converted completing the scoring.
McAleer returned to the action but within seconds Clogher were again reduced to fourteen men when Bates was the recipient of another yellow card. It mattered not and the visitors held out for this hard fought victory.
All thoughts of the junior cup must now be put on hold as it is back to league action this weekend with an away trip to Academy.
Clogher Valley U17 and U19 results 10th Nov
Clogher Valley Under 17s drew 14 each with Cavan. McConnell and Hetherington scored trys while Dougan landed two conversions. A depleted Under 19s travelled to Larne and went down 36 – 11 to the League leaders.
