Dungannon continue dismal run

Terenure College 23 Dungannon 12

Dungannon lost for the fourth consecutive time at Lakelands as three-try Terenure College took the spoils in a 23-12 Division One triumph.

Centre John Bollard, winger Rob McCarthy and full-back Graham Crawford shared out the tries as ‘Nure won their first game since returning to the top flight.

The Dubliners led 12-9 at half-time after conceding two early penalties and a drop goal to Dungannon out-half Richard McCarter. Both Bollard and McCarthy touched down in the second quarter.

McCarter’s 64th-minute penalty was ‘Gannon’s sole score in the second half as Crawford crucially dropped a goal, and then scored in the right corner in the 87th-minute.

It was a brilliant turnaround for Kevin West’s side as they were the team to concede the most points across all three divisions last week – going down 43-8 to UL Bohemians.

It did not look all too good for ‘Nure when Dungannon’s brutish pack took control in the first few phases. They forced penalties out of their opponents that McCarter converted on 4 and 8 minutes.

The former City of Derry player banged over a drop goal on the quarter-hour, however his new side’s lead was a short-lived one.

Experienced scrum half Derek Hegarty teed up Bollard for his try to the left of the posts, which McCarthy converted. The latter then played the whistle perfectly, after a Dungannon attack had broken down, to nab ‘Nure’s second try.

‘Nure went 15-9 up when McCarthy booted a penalty on 63 minutes, which McCarter replied to only moments later. Dungannon’s efforts at mounting a comeback waned in the closing minutes and Crawford’s 73rd-minute drop goal steadied the home side.

‘Nure’s eighth successive home win in the league was topped off by their late try.

Scorers: Terenure: Tries: John Bollard, Rob McCarthy, Graham Crawford; Con: McCarthy; Pen: McCarthy; Drop: Crawford

Dungannon: Pens: Richard McCarter 3; Drop: McCarter