1970s

Rugby was first played in the Clogher Valley in the mid seventies as mid-week fixtures, by players from other clubs. In 1977 William Boyd and Ken Towers, two teachers (Chemistry & PE) at Fivemiletown High School coached the schools side who then played an experienced Omagh Academy side. The enthusiasm for this new sport at the school was not dampened by a heavy defeat. Rugby was born in the Clogher Valley.

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1980s

As this group of school boys moved onto adulthood, the rugby was not forgotten. In Dec 1980 those pupils who had left the school in the June of that year, challenged the school team. The closely fought game ended in a draw. The following Dec (1981) with the introduction of a rule barring school pupils playing adults, the game continued with Clogher and Augher born people playing Fivemiletown and Brookeborough born people. The standard of open play was dreadful but the tackling was ferocious. The third half allowed friendship to be reformed.

After several years of this annual slaughter, the third half discussions focused around a combined side. So on Easter Monday a combined side challenged the Prison Service to a match. Again the result of the match was irrelevant, with the third half often starting before the first and second.

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1990s

As a result of several refreshments in a local den of iniquity, a local banker decided that the Valley needed a rugby club. With enthusiastic backing from a local farmer and a few others with even less sense that evening, the dream started.

Clogher Valley RFC was first formed in 1990, initially with one senior team, then in 1991 a second team emerged under the guidance of Lowery Thom, playing friendly matches. The Under 18s in their first season in 1991 were successful, losing out narrowly to Ballymena in the cup. Names which went on to represent the 1st XV were Bothwell, Williamson, Kyle, Allen.

The Club started life in the Minor 8 league, moving its way up through to Minor 4 league each year, before they applied for inclusion to the Qualifying 5 League in 1994. In the same year a 3rd XV was formed.

In 1995 an under 14 and under 16 team was added to the club teams. During this season the 1st XV lost their first league match but went on to win the league.

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2000s

The year 2005 sees CVRFC with 4 senior teams, an Under 18, 16 and 14 team and the start of mini rugby P4 - Y8.

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Research by Stephen Hetherington