Saturday 21 January 2012

Armagh realised straight away they were going to be in for a difficult afternoon when a couple of silly mistakes allowed Monaghan to make their way into th e Armagh half. However, some great counter rucking and then great movement allowed Jude Parr to score in the corner. Stanley Hamilton added the conversion.

Monaghan then encamped themselves in the Armagh half with a strong breeze assisting them, after 10 minutes, Monaghan converted a penalty. From the restart, Armagh made a bit of headway in to the opposition half only to end up back in their own 22 after more mistakes and with half an hour gone, the Monaghan pack trundled over the Armagh  line to take an 07-08 lead.

The Armagh pack upped their game and made headway from the restart. Some fine rugby, which the thirds usually play, resulted in John Falloon racing through to score under the posts. Hamilton added the conversion and Armagh went in 08-12 to the good.

Monaghan’s half time team talk lifted them and from the restart, they made their way up the pitch only to come to give away a couple of penalties and with the wind behind him, out-half Peter Lamb, made ground for Armagh.

This spurred the City of Armagh men on and after fifty minutes, Christopher Wallace picked up at the back off the scrum and fed Hamilton who showed a clean pair of heels to score under the posts. He converted his own try and Armagh where making progress.  Monaghan again ventured into the Armagh half and again left empty handed.

After 75 minutes, roles were reversed as Hamilton picked up at the back of a scrum and fed Wallace who showed his turn of pace to score. Hamilton added the conversion. Armagh regained possession from the kick off and made headway into the opposition 22 and after some crazy footwork, Andy Fletcher pounced on the loose ball to claim the try.

The conversion was missed but Armagh finished winners by 08-31. A score that doesn’t show how close the game was!