Omagh on top in Local Derby

Omagh Accies 1XV made the short journey to The Cran in Fivemiletown to take on league leaders Clogher Valley in their first ever meeting in the All Ireland League. With Omagh struggling for form of late and Clogher only suffering their first loss of the season the previous week, plenty was to play for in this intense local derby.

 

With a large home and away crowd in attendance, Clogher kicked off and started the brightest as they went into a 7-0 lead with barely two minutes on the clock. Omagh to their credit kept their composure and got back into the game with two penalties from Connor Watherston-Spencer to reduce their arrears to a solitary point before the break.

 

Clogher had a few chances but Omagh snuffed them out and you could tell from their defensive efforts they were up for the challenge on Saturday. With the evening darkening the floodlights came on early in Fivemiletown but the large crowd were definitely warmed up by the big hits and physical battle on the pitch as the referee blew the half time whistle – Clogher 7 Omagh 6.

 

As the teams turned around Omagh played towards the clubhouse and, unlike the first half, they started brightly and spread the ball wide at every opportunity. One such phase of play saw them work the ball out to winger Henry who switched with hooker Ewing before he superbly offloaded back to his teammate. Not happy with his efforts, Ewing turned scrum half to feed the outhalf and the ball was flashed to young prop David Braden who made a brilliant break through the heart of the Valley defence. A few phases later, scrum half Fintan Lagan got a shout for a kick in behind and his perfectly judged chip was welcomely received by the flying Matty Eccles who dotted down to send the Accies into the lead for the first time at 7-11.

 

Clogher tried their best to break down Omagh but time and again they were met with resolute defence until captain Mitchell was shown a yellow card for continued team infringements. Omagh weathered the storm over the 10 minute sin bin period and when Mitchell returned his troops hadn’t conceded a point.

This seemed to inspire Omagh and they went in search of their all important second try. A loose ball was kicked on by the maurading Robbie Sproule who made it up near Clogher’s line and it was now Omagh’s turn to put the pressure on the hosts.

 

Despite coughing up possession they returned it on numerous occasions with aplomb and a brilliant 50-22 from scrum half Lagan saw them in the Valley’s 22 once again. They huffed and they puffed but they couldn’t get the all important score until the hosts conceded a penalty and Omagh had a line out 15 metres from the try line.

 

Big Robbie once again rose highest in the set piece to set up the maul and when Omagh gained momentum they marched their local rivals over the line much to the delight of the large travelling support. Hooker Ewing was the man who popped up with the ball and when out half Spencer was successful with the conversion Omagh now had a 7-18 lead with less than five minutes to go.

 

Clogher did make their way up to the Omagh line and scored a consolation try to gain themselves a losing bonus point but this was to be Omagh’s day as they headed back over the mountain with 4 points and John Rainey’s cap as an early Christmas present.

 

This performance just goes to show the level Omagh can reach when they play to their potential and they will enter 2024 with high hopes of making their way up the league table. Credit must be given to the coaching team for all their hard work over these last few months as results haven’t gone their way but Saturday will go a long way in convincing them they are on the right path with a good group of players.

 

The return fixture against Clogher will be another tasty encounter on the 13th January at the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields but for now Omagh can head into their Christmas break with the bragging rights and their heads held high.

 

Thank you to all OARFC supporters and sponsors for all their support throughout 2023 and Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to one and all.

 

OARFC 1XV (1-20)

D. Braden, P. Ewing, S. Creane, Ja. Sproule, R. Sproule, R. Braden, A. Longwell, M. Clyde, F. Lagan, C. W-Spencer, R. Mitchell (c) J. Kyle, M. Eccles, B. Henry, Sc. Ballantine, M. H-Brown, G. McKinley, A. Porter, M. Gibson & A. Beckett.