Enniskillen 1st XV saw off a big challenge from a strong looking Armagh 2nd XV side last Saturday at Mullaghmeen to progress in the first defence of their historic Town’s Cup title. Tries in the first half from Matty Dane and John Maguire were to be the only scores of the game for Skins as the second half descended into an arm wrestle between the sides and yellow cards were distributed with abandon.
Skins started well on a windy day at Mullaghmeen, moving the ball well with a varied attack through the forwards and getting plenty of width into their game, Mark O’Shea on the right wing making good yards into the Armagh half. The scrum started strong through the front row of Warrington, Cathcart and Beatty earning some early penalties for Enniskillen that brought plenty of crucial territory, while Gavin Parke and James Carleton put them under plenty of line out pressure. An Enniskillen line out and maul inside the Armagh 22’ broke down into a series of pick and go’s with the forwards battering the line, but it was scrum half Matty Dane who spotted a gap 10 metres out and slipped through for the first score, converted to lead 7-0.
It was more of the same that brought play back into the Armagh half, the forwards continuing to run hard off the half back pairing of Dane and Finlay, with Kelly and Rutledge making good ground. Soon Skins were back inside the 22’ and a determined Armagh defence was doing well to keep the Enniskillen pack out, until fullback John Maguire and a pod of forwards spotted the lack of blindside defence and swept around with Ricky Lee throwing a miss pass to Maguire who scored in the corner, unconverted to lead 12-0.
The intensity nearly poured over at times with Jack Harte seeing yellow for some trouble off the ball and James Carleton following shortly afterwards from an alleged a high tackle, an Armagh player also getting a card for retaliation. Despite the deficit Skins managed to keep the visitors out and the scoreline remained 12-0 at the half.
The second half saw an improved performance from Armagh. Skins gave away a lot of penalties in their half and the Armagh scrum improved, while the Skins line out malfunctioned in the windy conditions. Armagh capitalised on the Skins indiscipline with a kick at goal to get three points on the board but it rebounded off the posts and Skins attempted to clear their lines. It was no time, however, before Armagh were back in possession and Skins gave away yet another penalty, once again trying to force the turnover at the breakdown but the referee wasn’t allowing much of a contest, the newly introduced Kennedy getting awarded the team yellow; Armagh slotted this kick at goal to get on the scoreboard at 12-3 to Skins.
Despite the opportunities presented to Armagh the Enniskillen defence remained airtight with Harte and Ferguson impenetrable in midfield, while Hoy, O’Shea and Maguire in the back three did well against a dangerous back line. The pack were equally able in shutting down big and mobile opposition, Carleton putting in some monstrous hits as usual while Parke’s tackle volume was superb. The contest ended with a sustained period of attack from Enniskillen as they mauled for the line hoping for a final score; a number of carries eventually crossed the line but the referee deemed play held up for full time.
It was a big result for the 1st XV against a seemingly strong Armagh selection who were undoubtedly out for revenge off the back of the Junior Cup defeat and looked suitably determined throughout. With a cup Quarter-Final now confirmed on 22nd February against, as yet, unnamed opposition, the 1st XV have this Saturday off before travelling away to Ballyclare in the league, hoping to recreate their incredible dismantling of the side back in the Junior Cup campaign.

1.G. Warrington, 2. R. Cathcart, 3. G. Beatty (Capt), 4. J. Kelly, 5. G.Parke, 6. J. Rutledge, 7. J. Carleton, 8. R. Lee, 9. M. Dane, 10. N. Finlay, 11. C. Hoy, 12. J. Harte, 13. J. Ferguson, 14. M. O’Shea, 15. J. Maguire, 16. S. Fox, 17. J. Kennedy

Match details

Match date

Sat 01 Feb 2020

Kickoff

14:30

Team overview