Despite the bad weather of the past few weeks the pitch at Judges Road was in perfect condition. Dungannon kicked off in this 2nd XV league match. Although Derry cleared from the line out Dungannon secured the ball and the scrum half Gareth McGonigle cut through the Derry defence to score under the posts. Robin McCleery converted to leave the score 0-7 to Dungannon after only four minutes. During the next ten minutes City of Derry showed their dominance in the set scrums and after possession went back and forward City of Derry forwards secured a turnover which allowed wing forward Mike Ryan to score a try far out to reduce the score to 5-7 to Dungannon.
City of Derry continued to dominate the set scrums while lineouts, although going to the team throwing in, were tidier for Dungannon. Both sets of backs attacked and defended well. After 25 minutes of play the Dungannon loose head prop went off injured.
City of Derry while having an extra man lost their advantage in the set scrums as they became uncontested for the rest of the match. Meanwhile as the first half ended the rain increased in intensity.
City of Derry kicked off the second half. It was not long into the half before City of Derry conceded a penalty that was slotted over by Gareth McGonigle. To give Dungannon a 5-10 lead. City of Derry forwards started to dominate in the loose and after several driving mauls they eventually drove over the Dungannon line with hooker Cathal Creggan scoring. David Murdock converted to give City of Derry a 12-10 lead.
The teams were evenly matched with both sets of backs attacking and defending well. Dungannon did however have the tidier possession from the lineouts while City of Derry’s dominance in the set scrums was negated by the no contest rule due the Dungannon prop’s injury. City of Derry looked at becoming dominant but careless play in clearing their line allowed Dungannon to feed the ball wide for a try by Jonathan Smith to give them back the lead at 12-15.
As the rain intensified Dungannon’s confidence grew. They defended extremely well and after several driving runs broke through the City of Derry backs for Robin McCleary to score. Gareth McGonigle converted to give Dungannon a 22-12 lead which despite City if Derry pressure they held to full time.
Dungannon deserved their win in what was a closely contested match as they defended extremely well and took their chances.
The Dungannon coach was pleased with his teams performance while City of Derry coach James Doherty said his players had improved well over the past few weeks although injuries had left them short of players this week.
City of Derry. Eamon McIvor, Cathal Creggan, Kieran Allen, Adam McDuff, Mark Spencer, Graham Dunn, Mike Ryan, Brian Prue (captain), Mat Heany,
Ian Vance, Connor Cummings, Ian Bratton, Craig Inglis, Phil Duffy, David Murdock
Saturday 22nd October 2011.
