Enniskillen disappointingly lost their first home Towns Cup fixture for two years to a very well organised and disciplined side from Dungannon.
The opportunities were few and far between in what was a tight affair with defences on top throughout and only a momentary lapse from ‘Skins allowed the decisive score.
Only a Dungannon penalty stood between the two sides at halftime despite Dungannon having been reduced to fourteen men owing to a yellow card fror a later tackle midway through. ‘Skins did suffer a blow when injury to skipper Alan Wilkinson forced a reshuffle with Gavin Parke coming into the backline.
Perhaps the game winning period was the opening ten minutes of the second half. Having been perhaps the best side playing against the wind in the first period, ‘Skins were caught cold by a terrific burst from the visitors coneceeding firstly a penalty after four minutes and then a soft try on ten. Sandwiched inbetween Scott Burrell did bring ‘Skins briefly back into contention, but the pressure from Dungannon broke the game open.
The game reverted to type with ‘Skins trying hard but were unable to break down the visitors’ organised defence and the closest they came was a penalty dropping just under the bar and another striking the junction of post and crossbar.
With time running out ‘Skins did finally get the breakthrough with Robbie Murray popping up in midfield to coast through and over the line for a try, which Tiernan Daly converted.
This result will defeinitely be a blow to ‘Skins, but did come when they were without a number of regulars, abnd they will have to pick themselves up for the trip to Ballyclare next Saturday to face a side who have turned their season around since ‘Skins beat them at home earlier this season.
Fixtures
1st XV – Away – Ballyclare
2nd XV – Away – CIYMS
U/19s – Home – Armagh/Monaghan
Youth – Home – Donegal
Mini-Rugby starts back this Saturday, 14th January with indoor sessions. Please note that the P3, P4 and P5 groups will be at St Michael’s, with P6, P7 and Year8 groups at St Fanchea’s. Both sessions start at 9.30 sharp and will run to 10.45. Everyone is asked to bring £1 towards the cost of hiring the halls. Any changes can be found on the club website, www.enniskillenrfc.com or on the mini-rugby facebook page.
