28th October 2006

Armagh took a resounding second step forward in their defence of the Ulster Junior Cup when thy thrashed Dungannon 2nd's at The Palace Grounds last Saturday. This was a repeat of last season's final but Dungannon offered little resistance this time, scoring only one try while Armagh ran in six! With the recent defeat of Lisburn and the memory of the 44-0 league defeat of Bangor it now looks as though the only obstacle to Armagh's emergence from the pool stage of the cup is the away game to Dungannon.

However, this is not to be played until 10th March, the day Ireland play Scotland, and Dungannon might be able to field a stronger side that day. With a vital league game coming up on Saturday next against league leaders, Cooke, Armagh could not have wished for a more encouraging result.

The scoring pattern was interesting with Armagh using their penetrating three-quarters to finish off the work of their forwards. The scrum was, as usual, a big factor in the Armagh win. Their capacity to wheel constantly upset Dungannon and their desire to go for push-overs showed their confidence. The backs showed two changes from the usual pattern.

At Scrum-half Eoghan Curran was brought in and in an interesting switch Johnny Allen and Alan Redpath changed places, with the interesting result that both players scored two tries. At full-back Johnny Steenson contributed 20 points, with a try, three conversions and three penalties.

Even the weather conditions were in the home team's favour with a bright, sunny afternoon, instead of the forecast rain which in fact followed the final whistle.

Steenson began well with a penalty after only four minutes. The first Armagh try came from a line-out close to the line which Armagh took and mauled over for Joe Clarke to claim the touch-down.

The conversion went wide as did two penalties, so Steenson compensated by converting another penalty from a much more difficult position to put Armagh 11-0 ahead. A good Armagh attack  was spoiled in the left corner but they spread the ball across the field to send Steenson through for a good try and completed the job with beautiful conversion. Alan Redpath then scored a try in the corner and another conversion put the home side 25-0 up. However, Dungannon hit back with a try and a penalty to leave the half time score at 25-8.

Another Steenson penalty started off the second half. Johnny Allen seemed to be off and clear for a try from the half-way but the referee called him back for some obscure infringement. Oddly enough, Sam Shepherd was also recalled as he was about to score and Dungannon scored their second penalty to bring the score-line to 28-11.

The opposition were strong despite the Dungannon first team's visit to Dublin and they attacked very well throughout. So to restrict them to only one try while scoring six themselves was a huge bonus for Armagh.

The scoring pattern was interesting with Armagh using their penetrating three-quarters to finish off the work of their forwards. The scrum was, as usual, a big factor in the Armagh win.

Their capacity to wheel constantly upset Dungannon and their desire to go for push-overs showed their confidence.

Johnny Allen then touched down again for his second try in the corner. Steven Auld replaced Andy Winder who sustained a nasty cut above his left eye. In the last minute Alan Redpath made a break from his own 22 and even by his own high standards this led to a very spectacular try. It was capped by another good conversion by Steenson to bring the score to 45-11.

In their present form Armagh should be capable of seeing off the Cooke challenge next week and regaining their lead in the Qualifying League. The League then takes up the lime-light until December when the Ulster and All Ireland Cups will occupy time.