AIL Match Report

Dungannon vs Rock

Mens 1XV

22/01/22

A strong squad and great support travelled to Dungannon for Round 11 of the AIL league.

Having norrowly taken the spoils at the home leg, we knew it would be a tight affair at Stevenson Park.

A cold Winters day greeted us on arrival, however the greeting we received from the Dungannon President and supporters could not have been warmer.

A crowd of around 150 people took up position and the match kicked off at 14:32

Against the run of play, on the ten minute mark, Gannon scored an unconverted Try to lead

5 nil.

Massive pressure from our forwards and with penalties mounting up for Gannon, Matt Cosgrove dotted down on 22 minutes.

Kicker Quirke added the 2 points and we were ahead 5 : 7

More strong play from our pack and great hands across the park from the back line, leads to John Gallagher going in to score.

A difficult side line kick, put between the posts by Kicker and it’s 5 : 14 after 36 minutes.

We piled on the pressure from the restart and the ball eventually came to Paul McSweeney, who scored a brilliant Try.

Kicker Quirke shaved the outside of the post from another difficult angle and it’s 5 : 19 on the 38 minute mark.

Gannon score a penalty and the ref. blows for half time with the score at 8 : 19

A Rock supporter was doing the stats and told me that Rock had 80% possession in the first half.

We started the second half as we finished the first, with us breaking a tackle to get in again, but the ref. called it back for a forward pass.

Gannon we’re beginning to find their feet and they scored their second Try on the hour mark.

They added the extras from a decent kick and it’s 15 : 19

Gannon go in again, this time the conversion misses and it’s 20 : 19 with ten minutes to go.

The ref. awards us a penalty on their 22 with less than five to go.

Kicker Quirke splits the posts and we’re back in front 20 : 22

We held onto the ball for the remaining time, until the 80 minutes were up, kicked the ball dead and the ref. blows for full time.

FT

Dungannon RFC 20 : 22 Blackrock College RFC