{"id":12439,"date":"2026-03-03T09:57:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T09:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cityofarmaghrfc.com\/?p=12439"},"modified":"2026-03-03T09:57:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T09:57:18","slug":"match-report-28th-feb-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cityofarmaghrfc.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/03\/match-report-28th-feb-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Match Report 28th Feb 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

City of Armagh probably sunk to their worst defeat in a considerable time against a talented Blackrock team who were missing their Irish under 20s players. With James McCormick not released again by Ulster, travelling as the 24th<\/sup> player in Wales, James\u2019s position of hooker was taken up by Jonny Morton with Finn Fehert on the bench. With John Glasgow on holiday, his position was filled by Sean Reffell the Ulster flanker. Thomas Dougan was ill and he was replaced by James Anderson. The backs welcomed Rocky Olsen in the centre along side Ross Taylor with Matthew Hooks and Timmy McNeice returning from HIA injuries. Jack Reaney was on the bench as cover in the back row. Special mention should be made of Philip Fletcher playing his 152nd AIL game and Josh Herron who was making his first senior appearance.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 Played in remarkable sunny conditions, Blackrock kicked off but Armagh could not collect the ball safely and this perhaps set the tone for the afternoon. Almost immediately, Refell was penalised for a high tackle and again 10 minutes later for a similar offence. Ross Taylor was also penalised slightly harshly for taking the man out in the air.<\/p>\n

With Sean\u2019s second offence, a no arms tackle, Dan Squires put Blackrock into the lead with a penalty from the 10 metre line and with15 minutes gone, Armagh were 3-0 down.<\/p>\n

Things didn\u2019t get any better with the Armagh side giving away so many penalties, 9 in the first half alone, that they couldn\u2019t get into the game at all and any possession they got, they couldn\u2019t hold on to the ball at all or gain any momentum. To be fair their defence was sound and some last-ditch tackles kept the score down. With them getting on the wrong side of referee, Stuart Douglas, it was inevitable that another score would come. Playing a penalty advantage and with Jonny Morton in the sin bin the Armagh defence was stretched and right winger, Farrell collected a crosskick to dive over making the score 8- 0 to Blackrock.<\/p>\n

\u00a0A further mistake in defence allowed the Blackrock centre Mangan, a Leinster academy player, to link up with scrumhalf Ringrose for a soft score. Further problems occurred for Armagh when Griffin Phillipson after giving away a scrum penalty was hit hard in a ruck and had to leave the field. Halftime arrived with Armagh conceding 9 penalties and 13 points.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Armagh started better in the second half and started to put a few phases together. They were still guilty of trying to force the game and when the ball was knocked on in the Blackrock half, full back Brian Colclough showed excellent pace to beat all the Armagh defenders to score their third try 5 minutes into the second period. \u00a0Squires converted to leave Armagh with a mountain to climb, 20 points down.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 With the penalty count now going in Armagh\u2019s favour, and 2 Blackrock players in the bin, Armagh got their first score through their renowned lineout take and maul. Jonny Morton got the final touch on the ball to reduce the score and could have got another but he was pressurised going over the tryline and lost control of the ball. Another opportunity was lost when the Armagh pack were driving to the line, but the Blackrock counter ruck enabled them to clear their lines.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Late in the game, Blackrock were able to score their 4th<\/sup> and bonus point try through the footballing skills of their full back Colclough. With Armagh emptying their bench, Josh Herron made his AIL debut and Owen O\u2019Kane narrowed the scoreline when he converted his own try in the last minute.<\/p>\n

Full time score Armagh 12 Blackrock 27.<\/p>\n

\u00a0So what went right with the team performance? \u00a0The only thing one could say was the defence in the first half when they had no possession or territory. The lineouts with Josh McKinley and James Anderson were impressive and as usual, Josh gave a 100% in everything he did. His barnstorming run up the left wing was given a great cheer. The scrums were solid in the main only being penalised once, but the back play was poor with numerous knock ons and fumbles.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The league position is still worrying with Garryowen having overtaken Armagh on 37 points with Armagh on 36. By gaining 5 points on Saturday, Blackrock move to 32 points with both UCC and Naas on 31. Queens are in the automatic relegation spot at the moment on 15 points, so next week\u2019s game in Belfast is a must win for Armagh. Armagh\u2019s other games are at home to Highfield on 21st<\/sup>March, Dublin University away on 28th<\/sup> March and Old Wesley at home on the final day, 4th<\/sup> April. Any points would be welcome.<\/p>\n

A philosophical Chris Parker acknowledged that the team struggled for a foothold in the first half but praised the defence. He lamented the fact that when we did get the ball in promising positions the team did not capitalise on these opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\t\t