Omagh claim final berth after derby victory

A SECOND half points scoring blitz helped Omagh Academy see off their Strabane counterparts on Tuesday afternoon to book a place in the Danske Bank Medallion Shield final.

The young Omagh side were forced to dig deep during the first half, during which Strabane held a slender 7-6 lead until the dying moments. However, having survived a late onslaught, the Omagh men broke from defending their own line to score a converted try which changed the complexion of the game.

And after the restart, they began to build upon that lead and as the Strabane lads tired over the final 20 minutes, the visitors racked up a sizeable advantage to claim a place in the decider.

Omagh started strongly, and outhalf Samuel Cochrane kicked two well taken penalties to nudge Omagh into a six-nil lead after 12 minutes.

Strabane regrouped and strong carries from their forwards forced Omagh to give away a succession of silly penalties.

Eventually the pressure told, and Strabane centre Josh Hampton used his strong running and excellent footwork to score a fine try under the posts which was converted to take the hosts into a 7-6 lead.

Strabane continued to pressurise Omagh, but second row Andrew King scored a fine try for the visitors against the run of play, breaking the Strabane defensive line and showing great pace to touch down under the posts.

Cochrane duly converted and the half finished with Cochrane kicking a third Omagh penalty to take the score to 7-16 to Omagh.

Strabane kicked off in the second half with the wind advantage but good fielding and running by Omagh Number 8 Adam McClintock made ground for the visitors. Good rucking by John Buchanan and James McCormack, and carries by Isaac Milligan and Lewis Henderson provided quick ball for scrum half Sam Harper to feed his backline which moved the ball right to full back Charlie Farrell who slipped through the home defence to score an unconverted try in the right corner.

Strabane responded with another converted try of their own after Omagh conceded two silly penalties after the restart.

From the kick-off, Joshua McKernan won the ball which was eventually moved left along the backline to second centre Harry McIlwaine who broke the line to scorch home for another Omagh try converted by Cochrane.

Omagh began to take a firmer control of the game with Crawford dominating the lineouts. Cochrane kicked his fourth penalty to keep the score board ticking for Omagh. From the restart, McClintock again fielded the ball well and took the attack to Strabane.

Another strong carry from Jack Keys and subsequent quick ruck ball saw Harper feed Crawford on the blindside who stepped inside Strabane defenders and then feed Omagh right winger Matthew McClung who scorched home from 60 metres.

The tit for tat nature of the game continued with Strabane scoring a third try. Omagh then closed the game out with intelligent tactical kicking from half-backs Harper and Cochrane. From one such kick, McIlwaine chased and collected the ball to score his second try which Cochrane converted to end the game 19-43 to Omagh.

Omagh player of the match was jointly awarded to Andrew King and Samuel Cochrane.

Omagh now play the winners of the Foyle College/ Dromore High School game in the final (date and time TBC).

THE TEAMS

Strabane Academy squad: Dylan Coyle, Robert Byrne, Callum Kelly, Alex Kennedy, Rhys Maxwell, Lucas Doherty, Nathan Russell, Ryan McCauley, Chris McBride, Jonathon Orr, Rhys McClay, Josh Hampton (cpt), Dara McGillion, Cody Mahaffey, Hayden Snodgrass, Leslie Miller, Isaac Wood, Dara Kennett

Omagh Academy squad: Charlie Farrell, Joshua McKernan (cpt), Harry McIlwaine, Jonathan Doak, Matthew McClung, Samuel Cochrane, Sam Harper, Lewis Henderson (Andrew Beggs), Isaac Milligan, Jack Keys, John Buchanan, Andrew King, James McCormack (Zac McKenna), Philip Crawford, Adam McClintock. Reserves: Adam Coulter, Thomas Buchanan, Sam Andrews, Ben Blackburn, Matthew Brady, Owen McCusker, Jack Adams.