Donaghadee, playing in their first Towns Cup Final since 1958, 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 the Dee following sterling defence relieved the pressure temporarily.
CV scrum half Aaron Best almost crossed on the 20 minute mark but he knocked on over the line after a tackle by Dee centre Paul McKenzie. The pressure eventually showed on the scoreboard when CV fullback Paul Armstrong drilled over a 40 metre penalty in the 24th minute for a 3-0 lead.
The 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.
At this point Donaghadee lost both their Player Coaches Paul McKenzie (rep – Mark Cooper) and Stuart Hennessey (rep – Alastair Barnes) to injury and CV’s influential back row David Sharkey also had to leave the field with the eventual Man of the Match BJ Wilson replacing him.
Both teams continued to search for openings but defences came out on top in an attritional first half.
Half time score: Clogher Valley 3 Donaghadee 0
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 Bill Allen, Nigel 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.
Donaghadee continued to press Valley just outside their red zone but their miserly defence held firm. With the Dee now playing "catch-up" rugby Clogher won a penalty just minutes from the end. Again they kicked to a line-out but this time it was right wing Andy Breen was the beneficiary of the ensuing catch & drive as he crashed over in the corner. Holme’s touchline conversion was unsuccessful but his team held a 15-7 advantage.
The Dee pushed hard for a consolation score in the final moments but Clogher Valley’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.
A magnificent effort then from the Dee men but the dogged spirit of the Fivemiletown men just about won out in the end. A tremendous day out for all from Donaghadee (especially the fantastic wealth of supporters from the Club, the town and beyond) which, although ultimately disappointing, has left a hunger for this talented Dee squad to return as soon as possible.
Congratulations to Clogher Valley who with the win completed the league & cup double and cemented themselves as the stand-out side in Qualifying rugby over the past number of years.
The Management, Coaching & support staff and players of Donaghadee RFC would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported them throughout the season in whatever fashion and look forward now to next term when we hope that continued support will lead to further success.
The squad for Easter Monday’s game was:

15 Bill Allen
14 Ryan Irvine
13 Adam Alexander
12 Paul McKenzie
11 Rory Garnham
10 Nigel Barker
9 Alastair Lockhart (Captain)
1 Stuart Hennessey
2 Gareth Gordon
3 Chris Good
4 Jack Cooke
5 Richard Martindale
6 David Murray
7 Chris Hamilton
8 Max Montgomery

16 Alastair Barnes
17 Kyle Morrow
18 Stephen Adams
19 Matthew Stockton
20 Mark Cooper

Coaches: Paul McKenzie, Stuart Hennessey, John West & Paul Blewitt
Physio: Niall Morgahan
Manager: Peter Matthews