Paul McIntyre of Back of the Stand reports on the Towns Cup match between Limavady and Lurgan.

Number 8 Daniel Irvine was the star of the show at the John Hunter Memorial Grounds as Limavady ran in seven tries against Championship 3 leaders Lurgan. The all action forward helped himself to four tries as the Roesiders laid a ghost to rest following their Gordon West Cup final defeat to the same opposition two years ago.

Any chances of another cup shock from the Pollock Park side were gone after the first quarter. Leading 13-0 Limavady were camped in the Lurgan half following Irvine’s first try and one from Michael Rice. Limavady brought a tempo to their play which Lurgan wouldn’t have faced this season and ran at their opponents at every opportunity, and at the turnaround led 25-0 with further major scores from Irvine (2) and Peter Wilson.

Wilson claimed his second try on 54 minutes following a break from William McCleery. Following a flutter of yellow cards, one for Lurgan and two for Limavady, Limavady crossed the whitewash again on 65 minutes when Irvine touched down for his fourth score. Lurgan did capitalise on the numerical difference between the side three minutes later to create an overlap that saw winger Richie Hull to touch down for a consolation score.

But this was to be Limavady’s day and in the closing minutes fullback Tom McClelland scored to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Limavady: Rory Squires, Luke Montgomery, Clive Scott, Colin Henry, Michael Rice, Sam Mackey, Perry Semple, Daniel Irvine, Jamie Millar, Peter Wilson, Stuart Roddy, Jamie Mo Millar, William McCleery, Jack Elliott, Tom McClelland. Replacements: John McColhum, Thomas MacAuley.

Lurgan: Ryan Emerson, Josh Lyness, Andy Grey, Richard Shilliday, Neil Adamson, Graeme Bell, Lee Allen, Dean Wilson, Chris Jenks, Dylan Gill, Ryan Mooney, James Andrews, Mark McIlwaine, Ryan Mooney, Stephen Nolan. Replacements: Alan Conn, Richie Hull.

Referee: Mr Garrett Davey

GALLERY BELOW

Photo credit – Graham Service Photography