AGONY… Valley coach David Black
Clogher Valley 9
Enniscorthy 10
CLOGHER Valley suffered ultimate heartbreak when they were defeated by a single point in Saturday’s All Ireland Junior Cup Final at the Coolmine RFC grounds in Dublin.
With just two minutes remaining out-half Philip Holme had the opportunity to snatch an historic victory for the Valley man but his attempted penalty kick drifted inches wide in the blustery wind.
Less than four minutes earlier Enniscorthy substitute Jack Kelly struck the winning score when he landed a penalty after Clogher forward Rodney Bennett had been penalised for a high tackle.
Bennett was duly ordered to the sin bin leaving the Ulster representatives to see out the remainder of the game with 14 men.
Earlier team-mate BJ Wilson was also yellow carded as two first half penalties by Holme appeared to steer the Cran men on the route to victory.
With Wilson watching from the sidelines, Enniscorthy upped the ante in the second period and scrum-half Evan Lett scampered over from eight yards out.
Kelly duly converted to edge his team 9-7 ahead however Clogher responded and Holme confidently landed a third penalty to put the northerners back in the driving seat.
But with eight minutes remaining Bennett left the referee with little option but to produce yellow and Kelly bisected the posts to break Valley hearts.