Clogher Valley Rugby Football Club is an Irish rugby union club based in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1990, they climbed the Ulster rugby pyramid and in 2023 were promoted to senior status, joining the All-Ireland League in Division 2C, and the Ulster Rugby Premiership. Ireland international Chris Farrell is a product of the Clogher Valley youth system.[1]
| Full name | Clogher Valley Rugby Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | IRFU | |
| Branch | Ulster | |
| Founded | 1990 | |
| Ground(s) | The Cran, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone | |
| President | Mark Henderson | |
| Coach(es) | Stephen Bothwell | |
| Captain(s) | Paul Armstrong | |
| League(s) | All-Ireland League, 2B | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
The club was founded in 1990 by former pupils of Fivemiletown College,[2] competing in Minor League 8 in the Ulster rugby leagues.[3]
They made the final of the Ulster Junior Cup in 2003, 2007 and 2008, and first won the competition in 2012, defeating Ballynahinch at Ravenhill.[4] They won the Ulster Towns Cup in 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2014.
They made the final of the 2014 All-Ireland Junior Cup, losing to Enniscorthy. They won it in 2022, beating Ballyclare in the final at Ravenhill Stadium, and the Ulster Junior Cup, beating City of Armagh 2nd XV.[3]
In 2022–23 they won the Ulster Rugby Championship[5] and were entered into the playoffs for promotion to the All-Ireland League. They achieved senior status for the first time after beaing Leinster League champions Bective Rangers[6] and Munster junior champions Richmond,[7] They finished second in Division 2 of the 2023 Ulster Rugby Premiership,[8] and finished as champions of Division 2C of the 2023–24 All-Ireland League, earning automatic promotion to Division 2B.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Chris Farrell launches his climb back to the top at foot of the Alps". Irish Times. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Club Focus: Clogher Valley RFC", Ulster Rugby, 24 April 2012
- ^ a b "Council honours Clogher Valley Rugby Football Club with a Civic Reception", Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, 30 May 2022
- ^ Ciaran Donaghy, "Historic win for Clogher Valley in Junior Cup", News Letter, 28 December 2012, archived 10 February 2013
- ^ Gareth Cauldwell, "Clogher Valley coach Bothwell wants to give play offs ‘a good crack’", Impartial Reporter, 25 February 2023
- ^ Stephen Cauldwell, "Clogher Valley one step away from All Ireland rugby", Impartial Reporter, 6 April 2023
- ^ "Photos: Clogher Valley RFC celebrate historic All-Ireland win", Belfast Live, 18 April 2023
- ^ 2023 Ulster Rugby Premiership Division 2 League Table, Ulster Rugby, retrieved 28 September 2023
- ^ "Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Divisions – Play-Off Details, Ups & Downs", Irish Rugby, 6 April 2024