Match Result
- Result: Galwegians Firsts 10 - Dungannon 36
- Venue: Stevenson Park on Sat Apr 7th 2012
- Competition: AIL Division 1B
Match Report
Galwegians suffered a very disappointing defeat when then they were comprehensively outplayed by promotion-chasing Dungannon in their Ulster Bank League Division 1b game in hand at Stevenson Park on Easter Saturday.
The hosts came into this game in a rich vein of form, and they soon asserted their dominance. An early Michael Lawton penalty put them in front, and on 10 minutes they put down a clear marker of things to come when left-wing Stuart McCloskey showed great pace to finish in the corner for the game’s opening try and an 8-0 lead.
Wegians tried to get into the game but were unable to make any impression or sustain any continuity, and ominously their forwards were unable to gain any dominance over their opposition. For all that they were able to keep the hosts at bay until the half hour mark, but then the dam burst and the concession of two tries before half-time effectively put paid to this contest.
The threat of the Dungannon backline was well known beforehand, but it was emphasised on 32 minutes when centre Paul McKenzie set up Ireland U-21 captain Paddy Jackson for try number two, which Lawton converted for a 15- lead. And it got worse for the Blues when moments later the talented full-back Conor Gaston made a break from inside his own 22 and went on a searing run, evading all attempts at tackles to score a great individual try. Lawton converted to make it 22-0 at half-time and put the hosts effectively out of sight.
Galwegians finally got on the scoreboard in the 45th minute when Tadhg Leader landed a penalty. But it merely postponed the inevitable, and the rampant hosts did not have to wait long to bag their bonus fourth try. It came from yet another backline move and this time Lawton crossed the whitewash, before adding another convert for good measure.
Wegians did manage to score a consolation try late on when Dermot Murphy emerged with the ball over the line, with Leader adding the conversion. But ‘Gannon had the final say, when their dominant scrum led to a penalty try in the final minute. This emphatic win sees the Co. Tyrone men go into second place and primed for promotion to Division 1a with just two games remaining. While defeat for Wegians means they remain stuck in a relegation dogfight with UCD and Bruff. Next up for the Blues is a crucial derby when they entertain local rivals Buccaneers at Crowley Park next Saturday April 14th.
