Cup final heartache for Roesiders

Limavady...3

Armagh...12

A late try from Armagh finally ended the brave challenge of Limavady in this entertaining affair last night.

Limavady, making only their second appearance in a major final – the last in 2000 when they lost in the Towns’ Cup – may well have been underdogs, but they were more than a match for the strongly fancied Armagh.

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On the whole, it was an error ridden game, with patches of lovely interchange.

Limavady probably won the battle of the packs, but Armagh, with fullback Johnny Steenson, always creating, had the backline which got them the all important field position.

There were two penalty attempts in the first quarter, both falling to Limavady, but on both occasions, outhalf John Semple managed to just frighten the posts.

In between those 2nd and 23rd minute kicks, Armagh dominated and looked dangerous every time they put pace on the ball.

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However, Limavady’s defence was also outstanding, and neutralising the dangerous powerful running of Armagh fullback Steenson.

Armagh were to turn down a number of penalties in kickable range as they tried the direct route, their lineout and drive proving effective.

But the men from the North West dug deep, repelled them and Armagh had to think again.

However, when Semple first of all put a penalty from hand dead on halfway, and then missed that kick from halfway on 23 minutes, Armagh seized the advantage.

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The one time Steenson found space he was able to send winger, Andrew Willis, in for the opening score on 30 minutes. Outhalf, Adam Gowing, converted from the touchline and the favourites were 7-0 ahead.

Limavady enjoyed a lively spell after that with Clive Scott and Willy McCollumn prominent, but they were defending their line again when Gowing put in a lovely chip, Semple able to get the touchdown.

A minute into the second half and Semple missed a third penalty and was wide with a drop goal attempt on 47 minutes after Armagh turned over ball too often for their own good..

Limavady player/coach, Glen Kyle, introduced himself to the fray as the game went into the final quarter and his first act was to put in a telling tackle on his opposite number Peter Elliott.

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By this stage the game had disintegrated into an error strewn affair with neither side able to hold on to the ball, which was disappointing given the perfect conditions of the evening.

A glorious chance to extend the lead was blown by Armagh when scrumhalf, Matthew Wright gathered and made a grubber kick through racing in from 30m. All he had to do was touch the ball down, but he managed to knock it out.

On the other flank, speed merchant Matthew Irwin, also chipped ahead and tried to race through but the cover was there and Limavady had survived.

Semple finally found his range on 64 minutes to set up an interesting climax, the penalty bringing the score to 7-3.

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Limavady rallied after that, but an intercept by Steenson and a hack clearance by Andy Hughes, had Armagh attacking in the ‘22’ and four minutes from the end, Armagh sealed their victory with a try through lock, Phil Mills, after solid forward pressure.

Man of the match Steenson missed the conversion, but it was his captain, James Morton, who was picking up at least one trophy for the club this season from Senior vice president, Nigel Hamilton.

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