15th September 2007

Armagh ’s first home match in defence of their league title turned out to be a very close–run affair at the Palace Grounds last Saturday. They conceded the first and last scores to the visitors, who gained a bonus point from the game. Indeed Clogher put Armagh under severe pressure in the first half and it was a great tribute to the Armagh defence that they held the opposition to only one try.

It was a match which lived up to the billing in the press as the match of the day in junior rugby. This attracted a good attendance, in spite of the World Cup attraction. Armagh welcomed back Connor O’Neill, after a short absence, and Ralph Mercer, after a much longer absence. Both players contributed much to the victory.

The front row might have been weakened in the absence of James Johnston and Connor’s appearance was much needed, especially as Clogher had a very strong scrum. Mercer’s previous appearances at The Palace Grounds were at scrum-half position but part of his Dungannon career was on the wing and he fitted in very well there. This threequarter line is beginning to blend together very effectively as the new faces begin to work in unison.

The scrum did pose a problem for coach, Colin Steenson, but for once it was a pleasant problem in that he had too many good players to select his pack from. So James Morton was brought in to the second row allowing Johnny Clarke to return as flanker, therefore strengthening the line-out even more.

The afternoon was bright and sunny but a stiff breeze from the palace end favoured the visitors in the first half. They certainly made good use of it as after only ten minutes they had scored under the Armagh posts. The formality of the conversion put Clogher into a confident 0-07 lead.

The attacks continued aided by the many penalties from the Cork referee.

Eventually Armagh entered the opposition half but when they finally got possession from a penalty at the corner faulty three-quarter handling let them down.

A break by Eoghan Curran from his own line saved Armagh but it came to nothing due to the lack of back-up. However, Clogher kept up the attacks using the wind well. They missed a penalty just before half-time as James McCall’s injury led to his replacement by Gareth Beggs. Armagh were content to reach the half-time break with the score 0-07 against.

Armagh began the second half well and Mercer put in a great run down the left wing were he passed inside to Johnny Steenson who crashed over for an excellent try in the corner.

He then capped that with an excellent conversion to bring Armagh level at 07-07. Steenson then put over a long range penalty to put the home side ahead for the first time at 10-07.

Eddie Orr picked up from a scrum and fed out-half Gowing who scythed through the Clogher defence to score at the posts.

The conversion now gave the home side a comfortable 17-07 lead and led to thoughts of bonus points for four tries. The Tyrone men had other thoughts and continued with their attacks. Several Armagh fumbles gave Clogher scrums on the home line but a great clearance by Gowing saved the day.

It took a fine tackle from Steenson to prevent a certain try down the Clogher left wing. Both out-halves were yellow carded.

The last kick of the game was a penalty awarded to Clogher at the posts which brought the score to 17-10. This kick gained the visitors the coveted bonus point which may well prove vital before the end of the season!

So Armagh travel to Portadown next Saturday with a 100% record for a match that has been looked forward to for some time now. Armagh support is vital for this game.