It was a cold night on Tuesday 31st January when Donegal Town RFC U17s took on the challenge of a highly organized and disciplined Dungannon side away to Dungannon under spotlights. The Dungannon team were unbeaten in two years on their home ground and this gives you some idea of the task faced by the Donegal lads.
Donegal started well with good commitment at the rucks and retention of ball in the breakdown, but it was Dungannon who scored the first try following a breakaway, missing the attempted conversion. The Donegal team then pushed forward with great picking and driving from the forwards and a clever off-load from Captain Craig Trimble to Evan Mc Gloin at number nine allowed him to run in and score Donegal`s first try. Both Patrick Flanagan on the right wing and Glen Mc Groarty on the left wing made telling runs up the wings and were called upon in defence stopping several breakaways from their Dungannon opposites. The two centres Christopher Fenton and Michael Mc Glynn worked well under difficult conditions with a Dungannon defence who showed great line speed constantly trying to cut off their attack options, and in fact both got stronger and stronger as the game progressed.
Caolan Loughney had a great game at number ten carrying the ball himself, offloading along the line and kicking into space for the wingers to run on. Dillon Ward showed his usual sure handling at fifteen but unfortunately had to be substituted due to an injury that will keep him side-lined for up to two months.
The Donegal forwards had another magnificent game dominating the scrums with the front row of Shane Mahon, Niall Mc Groarty and Stefan Bernsdorf showing great strength and skill in the set pieces. The second row of Christian Carroll and Cathal Gallagher put in very impressive performances both in the scrum and lineout, with Cathal being lifted by Craig and Christian to dizzying heights in the lineout. Flanker Gary Gilmartin showed his usual combination of strength and skill putting in some crunching tackles against the opposition and showing great strength carrying the ball forward. Craig Trimble and Christian Carroll exhibited excellent ball carrying skills and were relentless in both attack and defence appearing to be everywhere at once. Dermot Gallagher at number eight threatened the Dungannon line on several occasions often necessitating the opposition to commit three men to complete the tackle on him. In fact he burst through three of the opposition to ground the ball for Donegal’s second try.
Timmy Woods made a try saving tackle when the opposition had two metres to go to reach Donegal`s try line and had the good sense to tackle his opposition over the side-line to enable Donegal to get re-organized. Jack Behan showed blistering pace when in possession of the ball and again showed no fear in the tackle. Stephen Laughlin carried the ball well and rucked impressively.
The first half finished at five each and Dungannon went ahead with a penalty kick with ten minutes to go. The game was won for Donegal by Dermot Gallagher’s try and they finished deserved victors at ten points to Dungannon’s eight.
Coaches Brendan Woods and Nigel Trimble were delighted with their team’s performance and were very happy to see the parents who travelled the distance to support the lads.
