2ndxv Finish on High
1 April 2023
1st XV Lose to Bangor
11 September 2023Clonmel 1st XV – 19
Omagh Academicals 1st XV - 36
Omagh Accies 1st XV began their journey to Clonmel on Friday evening in search of a much needed win which would keep them in the hunt for All Ireland League survival. Leaving the rain of Omagh for the breezy conditions in County Tipperary, Omagh were buoyed by their last performance when they secured a bonus point victory the previous week against fellow relegation rivals Midleton.
Omagh were to play the first half into a stiff breeze and things were not going to plan after 15 minutes as the hosts sailed into a 14-0 lead when they ghosted through midfield twice to dot down under the posts, leaving their kicker with two easy conversions.
The second try seemed to spark Omagh into life as they made their way up to Clonmel’s 22 were they secured the lineout and set up the maul. Mark Hopton-Brown was steering the drive from the back and when he spotted his opportunity to break off, there was only going to be one winner as he touched down to get Omagh back into the game. Centre Josh Kyle added the extras and the score was now Clonmel 14 Omagh 7.
Omagh rode their luck at times but kept Clonmel away from their line and managed to work their way back up into Clonmel’s territory. When the returning Eccles hit a hard line he looked certain to fall short of the try line but with an acrobatic forward roll he was able to regain his feet and stretch over to send the sides to the break with the score 14-12 to the hosts.
Omagh knew they could be better and that they had probably got themselves out of jail with their two tries in the first half so when they turned for the restart with the wind at their backs they knew the game was there for the taking. Starting the second half with way more accuracy, Omagh went through their phases, stretched the hosts and eventually spotted an overlap which sent captain Mitchell down the blindside to score and send Omagh into the lead for the first time. Clonmel 14 Omagh 17.
Soon after, Robbie Sproule got in on the act to score the bonus point try as strong carries from the forwards battered Clonmel’s line and he hit a good angle to go under the posts and extend Omagh’s lead to 14-24.
Clonmel were never going to lie down and with the home support becoming more vocal from their very impressive stand, they scored a try of their own to give them hope at 19-24. Unfortunately for them this seemed to heighten Omagh’s resolve and they went on to score further tries from number 8 Matthew Clyde and captain Mitchell, to come away 19-36 winners and move themselves up to 8th place in the standings. Thanks must be given to the large number of travelling supporters who made the long trip down to Clonmel and certainly drove Omagh onto this vital win!
With it all still to play for, the race for survival on the final day will no doubt have many twists and turns but Omagh could not have done any more these last two weeks as they have secured maximum points from their last two games. With five teams trying to avoid the last 2 places in the league, it makes for a nail biting day at the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields as Omagh welcome Bruff on the 15th April. All support will be greatly appreciated by all at OARFC and if anyone is interested in booking their place for the popular prematch meal they should contact president Kevin Murnaghan on 07775811851 to secure their seat no later than Thursday 13th April.
Omagh Accies 1XV (1-20)
D. Braden, M. H-Brown, R. Braden, M. Edgar, R. Sproule, J. Duff, A. Longwell, M. Clyde, F. Lagan, St. Ballantine, R. Mitchell (c), J. Kyle, M. Eccles, N. Browne, A. Beckett, J. Matthews, G. McKinley, M. Smyth, Jo. Sproule & S. Maclaine.
Omagh Academicals 1st XV - 36
Omagh Accies 1st XV began their journey to Clonmel on Friday evening in search of a much needed win which would keep them in the hunt for All Ireland League survival. Leaving the rain of Omagh for the breezy conditions in County Tipperary, Omagh were buoyed by their last performance when they secured a bonus point victory the previous week against fellow relegation rivals Midleton.
Omagh were to play the first half into a stiff breeze and things were not going to plan after 15 minutes as the hosts sailed into a 14-0 lead when they ghosted through midfield twice to dot down under the posts, leaving their kicker with two easy conversions.
The second try seemed to spark Omagh into life as they made their way up to Clonmel’s 22 were they secured the lineout and set up the maul. Mark Hopton-Brown was steering the drive from the back and when he spotted his opportunity to break off, there was only going to be one winner as he touched down to get Omagh back into the game. Centre Josh Kyle added the extras and the score was now Clonmel 14 Omagh 7.
Omagh rode their luck at times but kept Clonmel away from their line and managed to work their way back up into Clonmel’s territory. When the returning Eccles hit a hard line he looked certain to fall short of the try line but with an acrobatic forward roll he was able to regain his feet and stretch over to send the sides to the break with the score 14-12 to the hosts.
Omagh knew they could be better and that they had probably got themselves out of jail with their two tries in the first half so when they turned for the restart with the wind at their backs they knew the game was there for the taking. Starting the second half with way more accuracy, Omagh went through their phases, stretched the hosts and eventually spotted an overlap which sent captain Mitchell down the blindside to score and send Omagh into the lead for the first time. Clonmel 14 Omagh 17.
Soon after, Robbie Sproule got in on the act to score the bonus point try as strong carries from the forwards battered Clonmel’s line and he hit a good angle to go under the posts and extend Omagh’s lead to 14-24.
Clonmel were never going to lie down and with the home support becoming more vocal from their very impressive stand, they scored a try of their own to give them hope at 19-24. Unfortunately for them this seemed to heighten Omagh’s resolve and they went on to score further tries from number 8 Matthew Clyde and captain Mitchell, to come away 19-36 winners and move themselves up to 8th place in the standings. Thanks must be given to the large number of travelling supporters who made the long trip down to Clonmel and certainly drove Omagh onto this vital win!
With it all still to play for, the race for survival on the final day will no doubt have many twists and turns but Omagh could not have done any more these last two weeks as they have secured maximum points from their last two games. With five teams trying to avoid the last 2 places in the league, it makes for a nail biting day at the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields as Omagh welcome Bruff on the 15th April. All support will be greatly appreciated by all at OARFC and if anyone is interested in booking their place for the popular prematch meal they should contact president Kevin Murnaghan on 07775811851 to secure their seat no later than Thursday 13th April.
Omagh Accies 1XV (1-20)
D. Braden, M. H-Brown, R. Braden, M. Edgar, R. Sproule, J. Duff, A. Longwell, M. Clyde, F. Lagan, St. Ballantine, R. Mitchell (c), J. Kyle, M. Eccles, N. Browne, A. Beckett, J. Matthews, G. McKinley, M. Smyth, Jo. Sproule & S. Maclaine.