Chris Cochrane scores in the league encounter at Stevenson Park.
Dungannon’s Director of Rugby, Justin Fitzpatrick has named a strong squad for tomorrow’s Bateman All Ireland Cup Final which takes place at St Mary’s RFC, Templeville Road, Dublin. KO 2pm.
With Jackson, Gaston, Anderson and Caldwell released from Ulster duty this weekend Fitzpatrick will be pleased that Dungannon are only missing winger Craig Gliroy, who will be benching for Ulster on Sunday, and the squad will welcome the return of scrum half Jason Bloomfield and hooker Adam Duhig who were absent from the tense semi-final against Corinthians last month.
Despite Bruff finishing bottom of the AIL 1B it should be pointed out that 5th place Dungannon only won one more game than the Limerick side in a very tight league. However the Ulster side were unlucky to just fall outside the promotion places having notched up four bonus points in their campaign despite losing many players to provincial and international squads throughout the season.
The teams are one win apiece in this season’s head to heads, both winning at home, but with almost a full panel to choose from Dungannon should have the edge in what promises to be a close encounter.
Certainly Bruff will be wary of Dungannon’s exciting back three of Gaston, Lawton and Cochrane, who are more than capable of causing any side problems, and with Birch, Caldwell and Anderson beefing up the Ulster team’s pack, they should be more than capable of blunting the Munster sides forward strength.
Hopeful the ‘Gannon men will get the weekend off to a flying start for Ulster Rugby. Good luck to Dungannon.
Dungannon Squad.
Forwards: Ben Howard, Mark Farquhar, Phil Whyte, Glen Sinnamon, Chris Knipe, Adam Duhig, Ryan Caldwell, Aaron Fry, Michael Rainey, Stuart Mckenzie, Calum Threlfal, Ali Birch, TJ Anderson, Timmy Smith, Rowan Halsal.
Backs: Kieran Campbell, Jason Blomfield, Michael Kirkwood, Paddy Jackson, Glen Telford, Paul Magee, Darren Simpson, Chris Cochrane, Michael Lawton, Conor Gaston
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