Stevenson Park was a joyous place to be on Saturday night after the win over Clontarf. Not only was this a good win but it was also a good performance appreciated by even the neutrals at the Park.
Dungannon were the architects of their own fate for the first Clontarf score. Following a penalty award an unwarranted question to the ref marched Gannon back into their own half and then after Tarf had taken a penalty lineout a secured ball was dropped giving Tarf the opportunity to drive. A clever inside pass from scrum half Sam Cronin sent number 8 Martin Garvey over for the try on five minutes.
0 – 5
Two minutes later a Gannon attack was rewarded with a penalty that Paddy Jackson converted.
3 – 5
Some lively play started by Ryan Caldwell saw Conor Gaston and Chris Cochrane run deep in the Clontarf half. Although Tarf cleared their lines Dungannon Captain Paul Magee wrapped up his opposite number and Dungannon got possession. A strike against the head saw an interchange of passes between Glen Sinnamon and Rowan Halsall. The Dungannon attack was repelled and Clontarf wing Michael Keating tried to go around the outside but Craig Gilroy tackled him into touch.
After eighteen minutes Clontarf won a penalty that their out half Noel Reid converted.
3 – 8
Dungannon were now starting to come to grips with the Clontarf pack and following a great Michael Rainey lineout take Paddy Jackson put Chris Cochrane into space. Unfortunately the support was not there and Tarf turned over ball. Large oaks out of little acorns is an exaggerated expression that comes to mind. Tarf took the ball back into their twenty-two and kicked directly into touch. Despite some advice from the faithful the touch was allowed to stand. Dungannon made a hash of possession and Clontarf won a penalty that allowed Noel Reid to increase their lead. After twenty-three minutes.
3 -11
Matters seemed to be going against us five minutes later when a great half break by Glen Telford had Conor Gaston in support on his shoulder. Unfortunately an unseen Clontarf arm propelled Gaston forward and out of reach of the ball and the opportunity went a begging. After thirty-five minutes Gannon were on the attack and Paddy Jackson spotted that the opposition backs were offering him an opportunity. The young man did not need a second look as he raced through the gap broke a cover tackle and made the line with another tackler on his back. This was a fabulous try of its type and really gave the Faithful a lift. Paddy converted to close the gap to one point.
10 -11
This try changed the whole tenor of the game, Gannon had a spring in their step and Clontarf were on the back foot. Jason Bloomfield disrupted a Tarf scrum and broke forward with support from Adam Duhig before Telford and Rainey again took play into the Tarf twenty-two. Ali Birch almost made the line but was pulled back for a knock on as he touched the ball down. From the next drive flanker Rowan Halsall went for the line. Clontarf eventually infringed and Dungannon were awarded a penalty that Paddy Jackson converted on forty minutes.
13 – 11
The second half started with both sides prepared to give it a go but Glen Telford started the move that set Rowan Halsall off on a run, Rowan broke away and drew his man before sending Craig Gilroy steaming off for a try from outside the twenty-two. Paddy Jackson converted on forty-three minutes.
20 – 11
Clontarf were now on the attack and Gannon defended well. Tarf were awarded a penalty on the Gannon ten metre line and took a quick one. This was decisively halted by a Chris Cochrane tackle that drove a Tarf forward back fully seven metres. Then with Keating going for a try Paddy Jackson pulled off a try saving tackle. Tarf were now on the attack and it looked like luck was with them when Gannon were reduced to fourteen when Glen Telford was harshly binned for a deliberate knock on as he pawed at a loose ball.
Tarf’s Reid converted the resultant penalty on fifty-three minutes.
20 – 14
Two minutes later Clontarf were only penalised for a deliberate knock on and Paddy Jackson punished the offence with penalty from the ten metre line.
23 -14
Although down a man Gannon were still full of running and when Conor Gaston was put into space on halfway by Callum Threlfall the Faithful were full of anticipation. The big man did not disappoint as he galloped through and touched down on the right. Paddy Jackson converted with a well directed kick on the hour.
30 – 14
Telford celebrated his return to the fold with a crunching tackle on a Tarf three-quarter. Indeed the Dungannon defence was good throughout but the centre partnership of Telford and Magee were outstanding in defence. Tarf continued to press and were rewarded with a penalty kicked by Phil Howard after seventy-three minutes.
30 – 17
Dungannon were now looking for another try and despite their best efforts could not break down the Clontarf defence again.
This was a good result for Dungannon and a great game to watch especially if you were a Dungannon supporter or even a neutral. After an uncertain first quarter the forwards settled in and produced the ball that backs want and overall a heart warming performance.
A good win and four more league points; next in the AIL it is the high scoring Lansdowne at Stevenson Park
Team: Conor Gaston. Christopher Cochrane, Paul Magee Capt, Glen Telford, Craig Gilroy (Stuart Lester). Paddy Jackson, Jason Bloomfield. Glen Sinnamon (Ben Howard), Adam Duhig, Mark Farquhar. Michael Rainey, Ryan Caldwell. Callum Threlfall (Stuart McKenzie), Ali Birch, Rowan Halsall. Philip Whyte, Michael Lawton
Referee: John Lacey (Munster)
Scorers:-
Tries: Paddy Jackson, Craig Gilroy & Conor Gaston
Cons: Paddy Jackson (3)
Pen: Paddy Jackson (3)
Drop Goal:
