Take a salute Dungannon! This was a performance right out of the top drawer and what a way to start the All Ireland League in the Club’s 150th year. Stevenson Park was a happy location at 4 pm on Saturday, unless of course you happened to be a Dolphin supporter. The Cork men, having been relegated from Division 2A last season were well beaten in their first taste of Division 2B.
Dolphin kicked off with breeze advantage and made it a lively start with hopes of an early score. The Dungannon defence held firm despite losing Logan McIlravie to injury within minutes of the start. Down at the other end Dungannon made the visit count when newcomer, Matthew Maguire dived over following a lineout drive. Ben McCaughey popped over the conversion and the hosts went 7 points clear. Three minutes later the sides were level when Dolphin fullback, Eoghan Herlihy charged over for Daryl Foley to convert. Going into the second quarter a notable break by Andrew McGregor saw him offload to the supporting John Russell going down the left flank. When the latter was felled by a high tackle Dungannon were awarded a penalty. The ball was drilled to the corner and the pack finished the job when Daniel Mikolajczyk crashed over for McCaughey to convert. Minutes later Mikolajczyk went close before being denied by a foot in touch. On the half hour he went one better when he finished off a forward drive to make it 19-7. Five minutes before the break it was the turn of the backs to shine and a superb break per James Girvan paved the way for a McGregor try. The conversion was missed but Dungannon cruised at 24-7 with a try bonus in the bag. Dolphin retorted and just on the stroke of half-time their skipper, John Fitzgerald saved the blushes when he crossed for Foley to convert leaving the score at 24-14.
Three minutes into the second half Mikolajczyk completed his ‘hat trick’ following a brilliant lineout take by Stephen Todd. Dolphin prepared to defend the drive but a change of tactics saw the scorer cross without a hand being laid on him. McCaughey landed a brilliant conversion to make it 31-14. Dolphin hit back and their tactic of midfield charges between skipper Fitzgerald and the two locks Brian and David O’Mahony tested the Dungannon defence. The hosts read the script well and the Cork men failed to progress. After weathering the storm McCaughey fired over a penalty on 70 minutes. Minutes later McGregor launched a diagonal kick that was caught by Matthew Montgomery who offloaded to Girvan for Dungannon’s sixth try. In the 80th minute last say went to James Gamble who crashed over for the seventh. Both were converted by McCaughey and the game ended in a convincing 48-14 win. Head Coach, Jonny Gillespie was happy enough with the result but hopes to build on that.