Carrick men slump to Cup defeat against Clogher

The first team, playing into the wind, managed to hold their Section 1 opponents to a single score in the first half but failed to turn the game after the break.

Carrick were not helped by losing skipper Aaron McKinney to injury after 25 minutes, but fought hard against their well-drilled opponents and, apart from the one serious lapse, their defence for the most part looked good.

Things started badly for Carrick when the visitors forced their way over after a line-out catch and drive with just three minutes gone.

The try was converted and Clogher were a shade unlucky not to get a second when Carrick failed to deal with a high ball from the kick-off.

Carrick did well in containing Clogher and, although their scrum was under pressure early on, it improved as the half wore on.

The half finished with Clogher pressing strongly but the Carrick defence held firm and the whistle went with the visitors leading by 7 points to nil.

In the second half Carrick failed to take their chances and combined with Clogher’s pressure and one lapse in concentration the side’s defeat was inevitable.

The home side got just the start they needed after they were awarded a scrum on the Clogher 22 two minutes into the half.

A neat series of play saw the ball come to Jason Wady who side-steppped a defender to score. Despite a failed conversion, the home side were right back in the game.

Andy McIlroy again kicked well out of hand and Adam Gibney and Ryan McGonigle carried well.

Johnny Sheriff, Jason Wady and John Anderson made a number of line-breaks and, with better support running and finishing, Carrick could have had more than just the solitary try for their efforts.

The visitors came back strongly and Carrick conceded a number of penalties under pressure.

From one of these, Clogher took a quick tap and the home side were caught napping allowing their opponents to virtually walk the ball home. Despite a sustained amount of pressure from Carrick in the closing stages Clogher comfortably saw the game out.

Carrick v Clogher: A. McIlroy; A. Moore, J. Anderson, J. Wady, A. McKinney(Captain) (N. Marsden); J. Sheriff, R. Hamilton, E. Peacock, N. Hannah, A. Gibney, A. Kincaid, C. Rea, N. Greenwood, R. Crymble, R. McGonigle.

Carrick return to league action next week away to Enniskillen. Fixtures for Saturday, November 10: 2nd XV vs CIYMS, home; 3rd XV vs Grosvenor, away.