12th February 2008

Armagh gained another 5 points victory at Enniskillen last Saturday but at one stage of the game it was a closely fought affair! Indeed, the home team were to lead 17-14 at half-time. Armagh had much the better of things in the forwards and thus had plenty of possession but it was quite late on in the game when the vital fourth try and the all-important bonus was forthcoming.

However, it places Armagh in a comfortable position in the qualifying League, and it strengthens the team’s confidence as they prepare to travel north to Limavady in the Town’s Cup next Saturday. The away draw means that Armagh have to face two trips north to Limavady within a fortnight.

Armagh, unlike their opponents, were able to field a full-strength side unaffected by injury, although Alan Redpath has not been able to turn out for several months. Eddie Orr was also unavailable.

The game was influenced, as so many have been lately, by a strong cross-wind. In this cas, Armagh had the benefit in the first half. Enniskillen began well but Armagh hit back.

A try was not awarded after a line-out drive but Armagh went for a push-over several times. Eventually it worked and James Morton got the touch-down.

Johnny Steenson was successful with the conversion but he was soon involved at the other end of the field when a clearance kick was charged down. This enabled Enniskillen to score their first try which was converted to bring the score to 07-07.

Steenson was involved in the next score when good three-quarters passing gave him the opportunity to cut through the centre to score a fine try in the left corner followed by a good conversion.

Enniskillen kicked a penalty to bring the score to 10-14 only to lose their out-half and place-kicker through a shoulder injury.

However, they were awarded a penalty kick which struck a post and they scored a try from the rebound. The try was converted to give the Fermanagh men the lead for the first time in the game at 17-14. Armagh kept up the pressure but the score had not changed at half-time.

The second half started with Armagh continuing the push-over attempts but a variation brought the next try when Eoghan Curran at scrum-half spun over from the base of the dominant scrum. This brought the score to 17-19.

James Johnston was replaced by Stephen Morton at hooker.

Alistair Redpath cut through the centre from 40 metres and was backed up well by Ally Birch who scored the all-important fourth try.

Steenson was then replaced by Sam Shepherd at full-back. The last score was a penalty by Adam Gowing to bring the final score to 17-24.

Thus Enniskillen lost the bonus point which they would have gained if the score had remained at 17-24.

In fairness, the Armagh spectators strongly felt that Enniskillen deserved the point which they so desperately need.

The Armagh scrum was in prime form as they demonstrated in their constant push-over attempts. Once again, the line-out was another supreme weapon, with James Morton leading the way.

One of the great advantages they have is the fact that several different forwards can contribute to the catching effort. The backs continue to thrive, even though this win was not an eight try feast!