Clontarf 35 City of Armagh 17
Clontarf welcomed City of Armagh to Castle Avenue for the first Senior competitive fixture between two clubs, both founded in the 1870’s.
How we have waited this long is beyond me, but it would be worth sniffing in the archives for any possible explanation! It’s not a big island. How we have managed to avoid each other for close to 150 years speaks volumes about something …… what I don’t know?
Armagh have had an amazing decade. 12 years ago, they were a junior side in Ulster. So they have reached the top division of Irish rugby faster than you could say howsaboutye!
On Saturday, they arrived with equal measures of confidence and respect. They didn’t win the match but they left with honour and dignity intact, new friends made, and with the rousing chorus of “Boys of the County Armagh” ringing in the rafters of the Clontarf Bar.
The game was about the visitors testing themselves against one of the League’s more consistent sides. The Clontarf side had a fresh look to it, with Tony Ryan side-lined due to a quad strain and Aitzol King on a one match suspension after the High Tackle Saturday Show in YM last week.
Noah Sheridan came in on the right wing and the back 5 was reshuffled to bring Jim Peters into the second-row, together with a new look back row of Ru Byron at 8 flanked by Josh Murphy at 6 and Richie Whelan at 7. The front row was also juggled with Alex Usanov starting at loose and Ben Griffin coming in at 3. So, with all that it was no surprise that the engine wasn’t as smooth running as normal.
The first half was a little bit snatchy, with spilled ball and mistimed passes helping to keep the visitors defence in high morale. Clontarf scored two tries from close in, both going to front rowers Alex U and Dylan D.
City of Armagh muscled in for one just before half time after some confusion allowed them easy access into our 22. Half time score was 14 – 5 and, while the home side was dominating possession and territory, it was clear that Armagh weren’t along to admire and make up the numbers.
Early in the second half Clontarf gave Armagh a look at the A game. First home possession was a lineout and a sweeping move, including hands from backs and forwards from right to left, that saw Peter Maher finally put free in space. He has been toiling manfully for 4 games waiting for this moment and when it arrived his burst of pace saw him free into the corner for his first AIL try for Clontarf. It was a stunning try. The speed, the pass accuracy, the dummy runs completely transfixed the visiting defence and with Con Kelly’s peerless conversion from the left touch line adding the extra two, Clontarf had some breathing space.
Armagh, however, refused to wilt and enjoyed long periods of possession probing for a breakthrough. They were denied by some outstanding work by the Clontarf back row who were an absolute nuisance at every breakdown. Both Ru Byron and Richie Whelan seemed to stitch themselves into every Armagh ruck slowing ball and making the busy scrum halve’s life a misery. Josh Murphy, with a free role at 6 arrived at every breakdown like a retriever to an ice cream cake. Mess everywhere ….. and a happy retriever! One Josh defensive intervention into an Armagh attack made two tackles, one straight after the other, resulting in a loose ball gathered by Matty who put Peter Maher in under the posts for his second. The other score went to Hugh Cooney after Matty gathered from a broken Armagh attack and after one of his eel like mazy runs put Hugh in on the right. Con, again, added the two from way out for a perfect kicking performance.
With 12 to go Tarf were up 35 5 and Armagh were playing for honour – which they deservedly achieved with two strong mauled scores.
At full time, the score was 35 17.
So, a home win with a lot of young players playing leading roles confirming that the pathway from U20 is strong and AIL-ready.
Congratulations to Armagh who look like they are around to stay. Their ground is based in the old walled garden of the Bishops Palace in Armagh and is, I am told, very picturesque.
I’m sure there will be a warm welcome on and off the pitch in Armagh next year!