Skerries’ hopes of a place in this season’s AIL Division 2B playoffs were dealt a blow on Saturday as they fell to a chastening 15-40 defeat at home to an impressive Clogher Valley outfit.
Sitting one place above their opponents heading into the weekend, Skerries were looking to build on an improved second half display against league leaders, Wanderers last time out but they met a Clogher Valley side intent on making a statement of their credentials this season.
That intent was made clear with less than two minutes on the clock, when prop Neil Henderson barged over for the opening score after an early penalty concession allowed Clogher Valley to kick deep into Skerries territory.
Out-half David Maxwell nailed the conversion to give his team the perfect start and really, they never looked back from there.
Ronan Mulcahy did open Skerries’ account with a penalty on the quarter-hour but it proved to be a brief reprieve, as number eight Callum Smyton finished off ‘Valley’s second try following some smart build-up play and slick handling. Again Maxwell added the extras for a 3-14 lead.
In the 24th minute, Clogher Valley struck again, this time Joel Busby crashing over from close range after a kick behind the Skerries defence caused all sorts of trouble and Maxwell continued his fine kicking form to make it 3-21.
Skerries did enjoy a couple of visits into opposition territory but fell short in geberating any clearcut chances and instead, it was left to Clogher Valley to strike again as a neat offload created a break from deep inside their own half and from the recycle, the ball was worked to the right, where Luke Russell touched down for the bonus point score.
Maxwell duly made it four from four with the boot, leaving the scores at 3-28 at the break, and Skerries with a mountain to climb in the second half.
The hosts’ cause wasn’t helped when they were reduced to fourteen men only five minutes into the half, after Paul O’Loghlen’s attempted intercept of a dangerous attack went forward saw the out-half sent to the bin.
From the resulting penalty, Clogher Valley kicked to the corner and a slick lineout move saw replacement hooker Kyle Cobain cross in the corner.
Maxwell’s conversion this time fell just short of the crossbar and Skerries won a penalty immediately off the restart but an unforced fumble off the attacking five-metre lineout was to sum up their day.
Skerries then enjoyed an extended period of attacking pressure but Mikey Sherlock came up just short and ultimately, they had to wait until the 65th for their first try, Kevin McGrath touching down what must have been the shortest range try of his illustrious career.
With the result long decided, an attempted short kick from a Skerries goal-line dropout was spilled forward and from the resultant scrum, Clogher Valley managed to suck in the defence and send wing Taine Haire cantering over untouched.
There was still time for one last act and after building nicely through the phases, Skerries’ endeavour was rewarded when McGrath broke through and fed Tim Deering for his second try in as many weeks.
Mulcahy’s conversion made it 15-40 and brought an end to a difficult afternoon for the home side, in which results around the division saw them fall to seventh in the overall standings.
They have the chance to bounce back immediately though, as they travel to face Rainey in Magharafelt next Saturday, with both sides on 28 points in the table.
Skerries versus Clogher Valley:
- Trevor Scuffil
- Kieran Leonard (capt)
- Evann Shelley
- Cian McGuinness
- Sam Deering
- Barry Murphy
- Darragh McEneaney
- Paddy Finn
- John Healy
- Paul O’Loghlen
- Kevin McGrath
- Mike Sherlock
- Tim Deering
- Davey Goodman
- Ronan Mulcahy
- Cal Marrey
- Tomás O’Donovan
- Jack McGregor
- Shane Hannon
- Jack Litchfield