A large crowd of both supporters gathered at Stevenson Park to welcome Dungannon and neighbours Clogher Valley onto the pitch, for the highly anticipated local derby in the AIL Division 2B play-off semi final.
Clogher Valley took an early lead when Clogher captain and former Dungannon player, Paul Armstrong sent Taine Haire in for an unconverted try. The Dungannon pack appeared to be going in for a try from a well-executed catch and drive, before the maul was brought down just short of the Clogher Valley line, but appeals for a penalty try from the Dungannon supporters was to no avail. Dungannon continued to apply pressure in the Clogher Valley 22, but a well organised Clogher Valley defence held out, with a series of Dungannon pick and goes held up over the line.
Dungannon opened their scoring on 25 minutes with Ben McCaughey slotting over a penalty. Clogher Valley replied with a penalty of their own on 28 minutes but were wide with another penalty attempt just a few minutes later.
On 35 minutes, Andrew McGregor sent an excellent clearance kick deep into the Clogher Valley 22, which was fumbled into touch by the Clogher Valley cover. From the ensuing line out, the Dungannon pack launched another series of pick and drives, but again the Clogher Valley defence held out, until Dungannon moved the ball out to Peter Nelson who sent a wide pass out to Mervyn Brown on the left wing who went in for the touchdown, only to be called back for a forward pass. On half time Ben McCaughey kicked another penalty for Dungannon to leave Clogher Valley ahead 8-6 at the break.
Clogher Valley scored early in the second half when, from a quick line out, Paul Armstrong made a good break to send Ewan Haire in for a try which was converted by David Maxwell. Clogher Valley struck again on 52 minutes, when scrum half Matthew Bothwell made a good break from a scrum on Dungannon’s 22m line, to score a try under the posts, which was duly converted to make it 22-6 to Clogher Valley.
Dungannon started to get quicker ball from the breakdown to apply pressure in the Clogher half, and another series of pick and drives finally paid off with Adam Milligan going over for a try on 62 minutes, converted by Ben McCaughey.
Whilst this score provided some hope for the Dungannon faithful, time was running down. But on 72 minutes, Toby Gribben got the ball on the Clogher 10 metre line and somehow managed to force his way along the left touchline, beating off three tacklers to score a brilliant individual try. Ben McCaughey added the conversion to make it 22-20 to the visitors.
In the final minutes, Clogher Valley were able to force Dungannon back into their 22 and were awarded a series of 5 metre scrums from which it seemed certain they would be able to run down the clock to the final whistle. However, great work by the pack saw Dungannon regain possession and work their way back up to the half way line where they were awarded a penalty. With the breeze into Dungannon’s face, it was decided to go to the corner rather than the posts. It turned out to be a great decision; as Dungannon moved the ball wide from the ensuing line out, Clogher Valley were penalised for a high tackle, 30 m out from their posts. With Dungannon’s promotion hopes resting on this kick, Ben McCaughey coolly stepped up to slot the ball between the posts.
The final whistle sounded immediately to set off jubilant celebrations from the Dungannon players and supporters.
As expected, this was an extremely close and hard fought play off game and full credit to the Dungannon and Clogher Valley players for the brand of rugby that they played on Saturday and throughout the season.