AIL RUGBY: Dungannon score seven try bonus win against Thomond

Dungannon 39, Thomond 10

A productive opening half saw Dungannon consolidate their All-Ireland League Division 2B mid-table status with a comfortable victory over bottom of the table Thomond at Stevenson Park on Saturday.

Andy Hughes’ charges were full value for their seven tries to one victory and set the tone in the second minute when Tianua Poto exchanged passes with Paul Armstrong before crashing over.

David Quinlan and Aleksandar Slijepcevic were involved in a series of pick and drives as Thomond probed for weaknesses, but it was Gannon, who extended their lead in the 16th minute with a second try. Poto angled a penalty down the line and when Kennedy retained possession from the line out, Glen Sinnamon fended off the cover to release Gerard Treanor to score for 10-0.

Thomond reduced the deficit with a Dean Cronin penalty but Gannon remained on the offensive and two further tries before the break saw them clinch a valuable bonus point. Following a period of sustained pressure, Poto and Peter Smith moved the attack right for Mark Faloon to touch down.

‘Gannon clinched the bonus point on 40 minutes, when Armstrong latched onto a deft Gerard Treanor chip to race in unopposed for another unconverted try.

Leading 20-3 at half time Gannon settled the issue within five minutes of the restart with two further tries.

In the 43rd minute, Armstrong and Mallon teed up Matthew Montgomery for a soft try under the posts with Armstrong landed the conversion. Two minutes later, Armstrong’s incision created a second Montgomery try with Armstrong adding the extras for 34-3.

Gannon registered a seventh try on 54 minutes when Faloon, Daniel Maxwell, and Poto linked up to send Peter Cashel through to score.

The hosts lost Jack Ravey to a yellow card but on 78 minutes and it was the visitors who finished the half with a flourish as Patrick Ryan raced in for a super individual try to improve the score line slightly.