Andy Breen looks for the off load as he gets hit by a Donaghadee winger
Clogher Valley 15
Donaghadee 7
From the start this was a full bloodied cup final with both sides ferociously committed to defending their possession.
As a result there were frequent stoppages for injuries throughout the game which disrupted any flowing rugby.
Dee started the better taking the first Valley lineout and then driving into Valley twenty two but a scrum penalty to Valley relieved the pressure. Valley put together multiple phases of play but the hard Dee tackling meant that little forward momentum was achieved.
Slowly Valley got a modicum of control and started to make inroads to Dee half with winger Donaldson particularly prominent. Dee were hanging on and when Valley dropped the ball over the try line it appeared it was not going to be their day. For all the Valley possession only a long 40 metre penalty from Armstrong gave them a slender 3-0 lead.
Valley then lost the influential Sharkey, replaced by BJ Wilson, to a shoulder injury and this lifted Dee.
They missed an attempted drop goal but there backs began to create gaps and only outstanding tackles from Valley’s Breen and then Donaldson stopped certain scores.
Half time arrived with Valley leading 3-0 but Dee in the ascendancy now dominating line outs and always looking dangerous when they moved the ball wide.
From the Valley restart McKenna reclaimed the ball and Valley drove forward only to be turned over. Matters got worse minutes later when a Dee blind side attack saw three Valley missed tackles for Dee captain Lockhart to race in from 40 metres for a converted try and a Dee 7-3 lead.
Valley were looking weary and struggling to create any momentum Dee were finding defending relatively easy. Valley then lost McKenna to an injury and now had lost their two line out jumpers.
Valley introduced Trienier, Orr and McAleer and these reinvigorated the team. Valley began to regain control and a surging run from Treanor was only just stopped short by desperate Dee defence who conceded a penalty. Many supporters were surprised by the Valley decision to kick for touch with the line out not functioning but Valley went to BJ Wilson and the subsequent catch and drive saw Captain Baxter driven over for a try.
Holme converted and Valley led 10-7.
Valley failed to claim the restart and a high tackle gave Dee a chance to level the scores but was missed.
It was to be the last chance Dee would have though they continued to try and run the ball at every opportunity. Valley defence was now superb with prop Primrose making a big hit which then allowed McAleer to turn over the ball and Holme to kick Valley back to the Dee half. McAleer turned over another Dee drive in midfield but
Valley could not capitalise.
As the game entered the closing period Dee infringed at a scrum and Valley went for touch. Valley lost the line out but again McAleer, who was having an outstanding game since arriving as replacement, retrieved possession and Dee were forced to concede another penalty.
Valley kicked for touch and this time the line out worked well.
The forwards drove towards the Dee line and were joined by winger Breen who drove over for another Valley unconverted try and a 15-7 lead.
Minutes later the final whistle went and Valley had won the league and cup double for the second time in three years to the delight of their large travelling support.