Clogher Valley remained unbeaten after a sensational contest with Galwegians, Bangor ended their losing streak on Saturday, while Tullamore picked up an important result on the road.
Bangor (5T) 36-27 Omagh Academicals (4T), Upritchard Park
It took seven games but finally Bangor broke the glass ceiling and noticed their first win of the campaign in a sensational Ulster derby with Omagh.
Omagh did however take an early 5-0 lead in the contest, Bangor replied well through Thomas Boyd to cross and level the contest as the conversion went wide. A penalty nudged the visitors back ahead however for the second occasion Bangor were over as Will Brown crossed the whitewash, 12-8 was the score after Millar converted as Bangor had the lead for the first time as half time approached. The hosts were awarded a penalty try with the final act of the half, taking a 19-8 lead to the break.
Despite the dominance of Bangor to notch 14 points in those final minutes of the opening half, Omagh got out of the blocks the better and two quick tries saw their lead restored, albeit by a single margin. The bonus point for the hosts arrived Boyd crossing for his second try and Millar added the extras for a 26-20 score line.
Bangor were determined not to have the lead slip following a couple of tight score lines this season and the fifth try Boyd with his hat trick, Rhys Larmour took the resulting conversion and made no mistakes for a 33-20 lead into the final quarter of an hour. Larmour built up a 16 point cushion with a penalty and despite Omgh adding their bonus point try soon after, Bangor had enough to stay clear of their opponents.
Bruff (4T) 26-10 Ballina (1T), Kilballyowen Park
Bruff continued their strong start to the campaign notching a fifth win overcoming Ballina in Kilballyowen Park.
It was the visitors who drew first blood on Shannonside as Cody Chilcott spilt the posts from an early penalty, soon after whoever Bruff took full advantage. Shane Duggan with the first of their four try haul converted by Paul Collins for a 7-3 lead. Collins added the second and the hosts took a 14-3 lead to the break.
The hosts continued to impress into the second half and Andrew O’Byrne notched the third try as once again Collins proved accurate from the tee. Outcome very much secured by that point however Kieran O’Dwyer added the bonus point for a full five point haul. Liam Golden added a late consolation try converted by Chilcott for Ballina, not enough to take points back to Mayo.
Clonmel (4T) 27-29 Tullamore (4T), Ardghaoithe
Tullamore staged a stunning comeback to defeat Clonmel in a rip-roaring contest in Ardghaoithe.
Clonmel in the final minutes of the opening half took control, Tullamore showed serious determination to come back and take all the points. Diarmuid Devaney gave the hosts the lead with the opening try converted by Josef O’Connor, Tullamore added seven of their own after 11 minutes to level matters.
Plenty of intensity as the half wore on, by the 35th minute we saw the next score Brandon Delicato crossing the whitewash for a 12-7 lead after a missed conversion. Conor Hogan added the third try and O’Connor made no mistake with this cover is on attempt, 19-7 at the break.
Clonmel added their bonus point mere minutes into the second half, Zac O’Loughlin sniping over in the corner, O’Connor unlucky not to add the extras with his conversion attempt cracking the upright. Tullamore did hit back and on the hour mark trailed 24-19.
Five minutes later the fourth Tullamore try proved a pivotal moment as for the first time the Offaly side would lead the contest 26-24. O’Connor struck a penalty to regain the lead but Tullamore Connor Dunne who had a great game from the tee slotted a penalty to give Tullamore the lead once again and the points in the finish.
Enniscorthy (5T) 31-21 Midleton (3T), Alcast Park
Enniscorthy continued their promotion fight with a strong result over Midleton on Saturday afternoon.
Davie Murphy had given the hosts the ideal start with an early try, Midleton replied through Jack Colbert and Fionn McGibney added the extras for a 7-5 lead. The rest of the half went the way of the hosts, a penalty try restored the lead before Liam Stamp added their second unconverted try of the contest for a 17-7 lead at the break.
Midleton got right back into the game early in the second stanza, Ryan Lehane touching down after a lineout maul, Colbert converted and the gap was just three points. Scorthy however remained composed and like the opening half had a lot of the play and punished Midleton.
Conor Byrne added the bonus point and the fifth try arrived through Nick Doyle as both efforts were converted by Ben Kidd. Denis Broderick crossed for the third try in consolation for the visitors that Colbert converted late on.
Galwegians (3T) 19-22 Clogher Valley (3T), Crowley Park
Clogher Valley remained unbeaten following a nervy finish over Galwegians, ending their unbeaten streak as a result.
With two minutes on the board Hugh Gavin crossed the whitewash and Tiernan Neville dispatched the extras. Paul Armstrong had a big part to play in the Clogher fight back, dissecting the posts with a penalty before spotting a gap and notching the opening try for the Ulstermen, 8-7 after 11 frantic minutes.
By the 20 minute mark Clogher were in again, Aaron Dunwoody with the try and Armstrong struck the conversion for a 15-7 lead. Shy of the half hour mark Andrew Sherlock dotted down for a second Wegians try and following Neville’s conversion the gap was one point, 15-14 it remained to the break.
Clogher had the dream start to the second half when Jamie Allen caught the restart and immediately scampered towards the Wegians line and having danced past the tackles, touched down for an incredible try, Armstrong converting to stretch the gap. With 55 minutes elapsed Wegians struck back for their third try as Darragh Kennedy powered over Neville’s conversion struck the upright and the gap was three points.
It was a dramatic conclusion to the contest, Armstrong missed a penalty to stretch the visitors lead and despite Galwegians throwing everything late on, Clogher held firm and won a vital turnover penalty to end the contest.
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Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.