Clogher had the first opportunity to put points on the board after two minutes, but turned down a kickable penalty to go the corner. From the lineout, Enniskillen were able to sack the maul and clear.
Clogher spurned another chance three minutes later. Off a five metre scrum, they created an overlap but the forwards decided to go for the line instead of spinning the ball wide and they conceded a penalty for crossing.
Flanker David Stinson’s searing line break nearly brought the game’s first try for Clogher but the Enniskillen defence managed to scramble and haul him down short of the line.
Clogher finally made their early dominance pay on 12 minutes as out half David Maxwell slotted over a penalty.
The Co Tyrone continued to monopolise territory and position and got their reward on 19 minutes with a try.
From a five metre the scrum the ball was moved wide and winger Ewan Haire was stopped short of the line. However, flanker Tommy Coulter was able to pick up from the base of a ruck and power over with Maxwell adding the difficult conversion.
Enniskillen then opened their account with their first sortie into the Clogher 22 as out half Eddie Keys knocked a penalty over from in front of the posts on 29 minutes.
Keys punished more indiscretion by Clogher in their own 22 with his second penalty five minutes before the break.
Clogher had a couple of chances in the closing stages of the first half but couldn’t break the Enniskillen defence and had to settle for a 10-6 advantage at the interval.
Clogher’s second try arrived two minutes after the restart, from a penalty in midfield they kicked deep into the Enniskillen 22.
From the lineout the forwards set up a maul to propel replacement Aaron Dunwoody over for a try but Maxwell failed with the conversion.
Enniskillen tight head prop Matthew Graham was sin binned on 49 minutes for wheeling a scrum close to his own line.
Clogher immediately made their numerical advantage count, from the resulting penalty they opted from the scrum, the pack got the nudge on and drove Enniskillen back over their own line with No 8 Callum Smyton touching down and Maxwell adding the extras.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Try for Clogher Valley! <br><br>With Enniskillen down to 14 after Matthew Graham’s yellow card, the Valley scrum drives to the line before Callum Smyton dives in to finish. David Maxwell adds the two from the tee. <br><br>Clogher Valley 22-6 Enniskillen <a href="https://t.co/UpnRTSPFv0">pic.twitter.com/UpnRTSPFv0</a></p>— 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗯𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 (@UlsterBranch) <a href="https://twitter.com/UlsterBranch/status/1619405211155722242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Restored to their full quota Enniskillen bludgeoned their way over the Clogher try line on 63 minutes with replacement prop Niall Keenan able to reach out and touch down from close range and Keys converted.
However, any dreams of a comeback for the Fermanagh side quickly disappeared as Clogher controlled the restart and forced a penalty which Maxwell landed.
Going into the closing stages Enniskillen forced a five metre scrum in the Clogher 22, but the Tyrone side had dominated the set piece all night and got a strong shove out to win a penalty and clear their lines.
Enniskillen never gave up and again were able to barge their way over from close range in the final minute with Keenan crossing the whitewash for second time. The try was unconverted but closed the gap to seven points entering stoppage time.
From the restart Clogher stayed composed and captain Paul Armstrong made a vital intercept before offloading to full back Taine Hare, who sprinted over in the corner for an unconverted try to ensure the trophy stays at The Cran.
Final score: Clogher Valley 30-18 Enniskillen
### Scorers
Clogher Valley
Tries: Tommy Coulter 19 mins, Aaron Dunwoody 42 mins, Callum Smyton 51 mins, Taine Haire 80 mins
Cons: David Maxwell 19 mins, 51 mins
Pens: David Maxwell 10 mins, 67 mins
Enniskillen
Tries: Niall Keenan 63 mins, Keenan 79 mins
Cons: Eddie Keys 63 mins
Pens: Eddie Keys 29 mins, 35 mins
Cards: Matthew Graham Yellow 49 mins
### Teams
Clogher Valley
15-9: Taine Haire; Michael Bothwell; Paul Armstrong (C); Corneel Michem; Ewan Haire; David Maxwell; Matthew Bothwell
1-8: Michael Treanor; Kyle Cobane; Neil Henderson; Eugene McKenna; Matthew Wilson; David Stinson; Tommy Coulter; Callum Smyton
Replacements: Richard Primrose for Henderson 24 mins, Aaron Crawford; Luke Allen for Henderson 56 mins; David Sharkey; Aaron Dunwoody for Coulter 41 mins; Reece Smyton; Neil Trotter, Philip Wilson
Enniskillen
15-9: George Foster; Sam Balfour; James Ferguson; Daire Hill; Mark O'Shea; Eddie Keys; Matthew Dane
1-8: Gavin Warrington; Matthew Beatty; Matthew Graham; Neil Rutledge; David Buchanan; James Carleton (C); Jack Rutledge; Michael Rooney
Replacements: Peter Read; Gary Thornton; Niall Keenan; Henry Keys; Jordan Hylton; James Balfour; Oisin Timoney; Paul McConkey