Dungannon’s hopes of promotion in consecutive seasons of the AIL came to an end on Saturday, when they were beaten 34-22 by a determined Shannon side on the back pitch at Munster’s, Thomond Park.

Dungannon kicked off with wind advantage and the numerous supporters who made the trip to Limerick, were encouraged by the early exchanges, with Dungannon testing the Shannon defence in their 22. However, Shannon’s good defensive line speed enabled them to absorb the Dungannon attacks and on the 9th minute they broke out from their own half along the left flank, to send Oisin Minogue in for the opening try of the match, converted by Gavin.

Great defensive work by both sides meant that neither side was able to create clear scoring chances until, on the half hour, Shannon were awarded a penalty on Dungannon’s 22m line which they kicked to leave them 10-0 up. From the ensuing kick-off, Dungannon recovered the ball and made good ground before Shannon were penalised, with Ben McCaughey slotting over a well struck penalty.

On 37 minutes, good Dungannon defence held out a wave of Shannon attacks until a penalty was finally conceded 10m from the line. Shannon choose to tap and go and following a number of pick and drives, they forced their way over for a try at the Dungannon posts, with Gavin adding the simple conversion. On the stroke of half time, Shannon were awarded another penalty on Dungannon’s 22m line and again Gavin put the kick over to leave Shannon ahead by 20-3.

Dungannon had a mountain to climb in the second half and the height of the mountain increased early in the half with Shannon’s Oisin Minogue going over for another try, converted by Gavin.

Dungannon knew they had to do something quickly and they responded with a marked increase in the pace of their game, with strong counterattack running and good off-loading, opening up gaps in the Shannon defence, which appeared to be tiring. From a quick line out, Andrew McGregor sent a long kick into the Shannon 22 and the follow up attackers forced the Shannon player to touch down over his own line. At the resulting 5m scrum, Dungannon were awarded a penalty, which they took quickly and James Gamble was able to pick and drive his way over for a try, which Ben McCaughey converted.

Five minutes later, Dungannon scored another converted try when James Gamble went over following a good line out catch and drive, to cut the Shannon lead to 27-17 and give the travelling support a glimmer of hope going into the final quarter. However, this glimmer was snuffed out in the 65th minute when Shannon scored a converted try following good recycling of the ball from a series of rucks in the Dungannon 22.

Dungannon continued to press hard to try and cut the deficit, showing the never say die attitude that they have displayed all season, but the Shannon defence held out until the final minute of the game, when Sam Montgomery scored a consolation try following a Dungannon line out driving maul, to leave the final score at 34-22 to Shannon.

Whilst Dungannon were disappointed to lose in this play-off semi-final, the senior squad, coaching team and management team can look back on this season with huge pride on the performance of the squad and having achieved 3rd place in AIL Division 2A, following promotion to the league last season. The squad now look forward to a well-earned break.