This game attracted to Eaton Park a crowd that would have done an AIL fixture proud, and the fans got full value for money, with the result in doubt until the closing stages.

With time running out Gary Ashe's men were trailing by a single point, but another Omagh score ensured a 25-19 victory.

In the end the strength of the County Tyrone pack proved decisive, with their two props playing a significant role in clinching the trophy.

Full back John Wasson who has amassed in excess of four hundred points this season had an opportunity to open the scoring, but uncharacteristically his penalty from a good position drifted wide.

When Omagh gained possession from a Clare scrum, the cover was caught out, and seven points went on the Omagh side of the card.

Teenage wing-forward, Gareth Boyd, started and finished the move that led to the equaliser. He made the initial break, then linked with Wasson and Stuart Barnett before being up to take the final pass, and drop over for a score that Wasson goaled.

Omagh regained the lead with another converted try, but this was matched by winger Mark Fox, who crossed in the corner following good play by Niall Lamont and Davy Gardiner.

In another Ballyclare thrust a score seemed on the cards, until Lamont and Gardiner collided and the chance was lost, and then on the stroke of half-time Omagh surged ahead again with a penalty to turn round 15-12 ahead.

Ballyclare were forced to defend for a time, but eventually their defence was breached by an unconverted try. In reply scrum-half Cavan Watson made two fine breaks but the defence held firm.

Fifteen minutes from time another Watson thrust resulted in the ball being re-cycled across the backs, for winger Davy Wallace to cross for a score that Wasson goaled, to set up a tense finish with Ballyclare trailing 20-19.

However Omagh had the final say when they completed the scoring with another five points in the corner, and only courageous tackling by Niall Lamont and impressive flanker, Gareth Boyd, prevented a heavier defeat.

Ballyclare V: J Wasson, M Fox, N Lamont, S Barnett, D Wallace; A Campbell, C Watson; T Moore, N Smith, D Montgomery, I Luke, G Ashe (C), G Boyd, B Wright, D Gardiner. Sub ; O Campbell for Gardiner.

That brought down the final curtain for senior rugby at The Cloughan for another season.