Donaghadee, playing in their first Towns Cup Final since 1953, enjoyed a bright start to the game. But it was the Tyrone men who looked more dangerous as Clive Donaldson and David Sharkey both made half breaks. Three separate penalties awarded to ‘Dee relieved the pressure temporarily.
Captain Stephen Baxter almost crossed on the 20 minute mark but he knocked on over the line after a tackle by Paul McKenzie. The pressure eventually showed on the scoreboard when fullback Paul Armstrong drilled over a 40 metre penalty in the 24th minute for a 3-0 lead.
‘Dee looked to respond immediately and a fine break by left wing Rory Garnham brought play deep into Clogher territory. That provided outhalf Nigel Barker with a drop goal attempt which drifted to the left of the uprights.
They went on the attack again shortly after but they twice blew overlaps when the ball carriers elected to play a miss passes rather than put it through the hands.
Both teams continued to search for openings but the defences came out on top in an attritional first half.
Half time score: Clogher Valley 3 Donaghadee 7
The start of the second half was equally physical with a number of strong carries and aggressive tackles from both teams.
Donaghadee got their first score when Barker and Max Montgomery combined brilliantly to send skipper Ali Lockhart in under the posts. Barker added the extras for a 7-3 lead.
Just before the hour mark the lively Lockhart made a sniping run down the left touchline but was taken out late by Armstrong as he chased his grubber kick through. That gave Barker another opportunity from the tee but his effort was off target.
Clogher, as ever, responded with some direct forward play that forced a number of penalties, one of which was kicked into touch by outhalf Philip Holme. From the resulting lineout, Baxter found himself with the ball at the back of a successful driving maul and touched down. Holme converted to edge his side into a 10-7 lead.
Barker had an opportunity to draw his side level but his effort sailed to the left again. Clogher capitalised on that miss with a second try just minutes from the end. Again it was a maul that did the damage but this time right wing Andy Breen was the beneficiary as he crashed over in the corner. Holme’s touchline conversion was unsuccessful but his team held a 15-7 advantage.
‘Dee pushed for a consolation score in the final moments but Clogher’s defence held firm and they were able to celebrate a third Powerade Towns Cup success in four years after their wins in 2011 and 2012.