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Sunday’s Well 49 Omagh 15,

A glorious day on a cold brisk day saw Sunday’s Well produce an excellent five-star performance. They ran in a total of seven tries to close the gap on Omagh in the table and retain their chances of another late season survival campaign.

It would be equally unfair to suggest that given the final score-line; the game was a cake-walk. It was anything but and Omagh were full of determination and the game was very much in the balance until the final minutes. Both sides were looking to mix up their game and get some strong carriers.

For Omagh; special mention has to go to their second-row Robert Sproule who was immense throughout; ably supported by David Bradden and Joseph Duff. The backs were also lively and Joshua Kyle made a great burst to score the opening try.

The ‘Well themselves were looking dangerous in attack. Daniel Courtney and Harry McHenry were directing matters form half-backs. Centres Eoin O Sullivan and Jamie O’Leary were running great lines and showed wonderful hands to get the team on the front-foot with Shane Keevers ever alert on the wing.

Up front, the pack were getting on top in the scrum with Mike McCarthy and Evan O’Connell exerting controlled pressure. Conor O’Brien and Dan O’Brien were dominant in the line-out while Andrew Mintern and Cormac Kelliher carried strongly around the fringe.

The ‘Well grew into the game and managed to build a useful if still relatively narrow 14-8 lead at the break. Eoin O’Sulllivan raced on to a great kick-through for the opening try before a great run by Conor O’Brien saw him crash over; after some excellent work by the pack and Courtney.

Omagh finished the half strongly and exerted great pressure. The ‘Well needed to show all their defensive firepower and discipline to eventually hold out and retain their lead at the break.

Despite running in five tries in the second half; the ‘Well were on the defensive for the opening twenty minutes of the half. They had a couple of yellow cards and were severely under the cosh. Their defensive line-out helped relieve some of the pressure but eventually the pressure saw David Bradden touch-down with a touch-line Stewart Bannington conversion putting Omagh in to a 15-14 lead with a quarter of the game remaining.

At this crucial juncture, the ‘Well didn’t drop the heads. They played smart with a deep kick-off that forced Omagh to concede a line-out in the Twenty-Two. This was the ‘Well first attacking chance of the half and they made it count. Carries by Mintern and Conor O’Brien bought play up towards the line with the ever-alert Courtney spotting a gap to crash over.

This score shifted the momentum; with Omagh now the team conceding penalties and having players in the sin-bin. The ‘Well when awarded an attacking penalty went for the scrum-option. They utilised the space that the yellow cards created to allow O’Sullivan a glimmer of an opportunity. He ran an excellent line at pace, crashing through the tackle and scoring the vital bonus-point try; with O’Leary retaining his perfect conversion record.

After that there was going to be no letting up and risking Omagh get back in the game. The shackles were unleashed as the ‘Well played some champagne rugby and ran in a further three tries in the closing minutes. Shane Keevers made a terrific chase and burst to set up Gary Downey.

Superb tackling and harassing by the always energetic Conor O’Brien saw Omagh struggle to retain possession and the loose ball was regathered for Jamie O’Leary to race in and make a superb touch-line conversion. The ‘Well continued to be relentless and Andrew Mintern who had an absolutely fantastic game; along with others made a superb show and go in the Twenty-Two, cutting inside. Dan O’Brien raced outside into the space created and Mintern executed an excellent pass. Cormac Kelliher had the final say; stepping up with the touch-line conversion on the right and nailing it right through the middle of the posts.

Scorers: Sunday’s Well: J O’Leary try, 6 cons; E O’Sullivan (2), C O’Brien, D Courtney, G Downey, D O’Brien tries, C Kelliher con.

Omagh: J Kyle, D Bradden tries, S Ballantine pen, con.

Sunday’s Well: G Downey; K Maye, E O’Sullivan, J O’Leary, S Keevers; H McHenry, D Courtney; E O’Connell, J McHenry, M McCarthy; A Mintern, K Holland; C Kelliher, D O’Brien, C O’Brien.   Replacements: J Downey, D Kozik, A Browne, J Costello, R Geary.

Omagh: D Kane; N Brown, J Kyle, A Allen, R Mitchell; S Ballantine, S McCain; D Bradden, P Ewing, S Creane; R Sproule, M Edgar; J Duff, A Longwell, M Clyde. Replacements: M Smyth, R Braden, J Mitchell, M Gibson, M Eccles.

Referee: M Scanlon (IRFU)