Dungannon fail to end losing streak

Garryowen 19 Dungannon 5

Garryowen handed Dungannon their fifth successive defeat of the Division One campaign at Dooradoyle.

The defending champions leapt from seventh to sixth in the standings as tries from Keith Earls (2) and Ciaran O’Boyle propelled them past John Andrews’ side.

Conan Doyle sent Earls over for his first try, eight minutes in. O’Boyle’s late effort guided Garryowen to a 12-0 interval lead.

Earls combined with Federico Quaglia for his second try and Dungannon undoubtedly deserved more than just a 56th-minute score from David Parkhill.

Both sides did their best to play good quality rugby in a swirling gale at Dooradoyle. In the end, they will be disappointed not to have earned a bonus point in an entertaining contest in which the handling by both sides was of a very high standard, given the conditions.

An indication of the conditions came after only three minutes when Garryowen full-back Conor Kilroy saw a penalty close to the posts being carried wide of the left upright.

But the hosts took the lead after eight minutes and once in front they never looked like losing the lead.

Dungannon, still seeking their second win of the campaign, had try-scoring chances in both halves but each time they were held up by some outstanding Garryowen defence.

In front by 12-0 at the interval, having played with the swirling gale at their backs, Garryowen had to withstand a second half barrage of pressure from Dungannon whose points came from winger Parkhill's try.

The Ulster side's forwards tried three times to work their way over but each time were held over the line. Scrum-half James Bates then threw a long pass to winger Parkhill who went in at the corner.

Ireland 'A' winger Earls put Garryowen on their way after eight minutes when he popped up on the right to take a pass from centre Doyle and Kilroy converted.

Just on the stroke of half-time, the Limerick men set up a great move starting with a lineout and eight players were involved in a move that ended with O'Boyle dotting down.

Five minutes into the second half, Earls broke down a Dungannon attack, picked up, passed to Federico Quaglia and Earls took the return pass to race in under the posts for Kilroy to convert.

Garryowen were happy with the win but disappointed not to pick up the bonus try, while Dungannon, who are now second-from-bottom in the table, also had chances to gain a losing bonus point.

Scorers: Garryowen: Tries: Keith Earls 2, Ciaran O’Boyle; Cons: Conor Kilroy 2

Dungannon: Try: David Parkhill