On Saturday was another great day in the history of this club at Balreask Old in Navan. While not producing their best performance in the league, it was their resilience against physically superior opponents, as has been the hallmark of the season, that saw Dungannon home in on this Division 2A play-off final.
The Dungannon coach Jonny Gillespie indicated before the game that he wanted the team out of the blocks early and they responded in fine style to go 10 nil up after 14 minutes. A Navan knock on from Peter Nelson’s kick off put the visitors in prime attacking territory and a series of forward drives forced the penalty from the hosts, with Ben McCaughey converting from in front of the posts, 0-3.
This early Dungannon pressure began to tell when Navan hooker Anthony Martinez was yellow carded. Following the kick to the corner and the subsequent line out and driving maul Billy Allen was assisted over the line for the first try. A great touchline conversion by Ben McCaughey put the visitors deservedly ahead 10-0.
Mid way through the half as Navan sprang into life, Dungannon conceded a series of penalties. A good Dungannon counter attack broke down when they were guilty of holding on. From this penalty and with the kick to the corner they were able to bundle the returning Martinez over for their opening try. Fortunately, the conversion rebounded off the posts. A few minutes later their kicker Tom Gavigan made amends narrowing the gap with a 30 metre penalty.
A promising Dungannon backline movement broke down in a good attacking position and when Navan hacked through and aided with a suspiciously looking forward pass, Conor Hand was on hand to touch down getting their second try, putting them in the lead at 13-10.
Deep into injury time Ben McEntagart got their second yellow and Ben McCaughey was able from close range to level the scores at 13-13 at the break.
Just after the restart a Dungannon knock on following a misunderstanding in the backline gave the hosts a midfield scrum. Dungannon were penalised and the kick to the corner brought play deep into the visitors 22. A neat grubber kick was followed up by winger Shane Walshe who got the touchdown. The conversion from close to the posts made the score 20-13.
The visitors responded well and a Toby Gribben tap penalty would have yielded more had he not been stopped within 10 metres - Jordan Finney receiving their third yellow for interference. Dungannon continued to press and bombarded the home line with a series of forward pick and goes. The ball was eventually released and Ben McCaughey squeezed over for the try which he duly converted. 20-20. The same player added another 3 points on the hour mark. 20-23. Incidentally, Ben’s total points for season of 199 is a Club AIL record.
A deciding feature of the game was the control and decision making at half back exercised by Toby and Peter. Whether it was the towering up and unders from Toby or the long raking kicks from Peter, all provided a territorial advantage and often a penalty.
As the game wore on the heavier Navan side began to wilt a bit in the heat but the visiting forwards never relaxed and maintained a high work rate. While the execution at times may not have been perfect the all-round commitment in both attack and defence was admirable.
With ten minutes to go after a spell of good handling Dungannon got their final score when Charlie Conroy, who some minutes earlier had proven a handful for Navan, was at the end of a backline movement, getting an unconverted try.
A Navan 50/22 gave them both possession and territory and when Dungannon infringed Shane Walshe had no problem in converting to narrow the scoreline to 23-28.
For the large vociferous travelling Dungannon support the final few tension filled minutes were exacerbated when Cameron Steenson received a yellow for presumably line out interference.
The defence remained secure and to the relief of all the full time whistle meant that Dungannon were back into Division 2A after a ten year gap.
While much credit must go to the entire Dungannon playing squad throughout the season, credit also to the supporting backroom and coaching staff of the three Johnnies, Messrs Gillespie, Graham and Patton who have persevered for several years with this group of players to bring the Club up to 2A.
It was also pleasing that players such as David Leyburn, Andrew McGregor, Stephen Todd and James McMahon, who while not playing was still very much part of the team, have over many lean years, remained loyal and fully committed to the club have at last had some success.
No doubt that the presence of former Dungannon, Ireland and Lions player, Jeremy Davidson was a motivating factor in the win.