Ian Humphreys, David’s younger brother, kicked a winning injury-time penalty to give Dungannon a slender 22-19 victory over Buccaneers in the AIB League Division One at Stevenson Park this afternoon. In true Humphreys tradition, Ian made no mistake in securing the three-point victory for the defending champions after taking over the kicking duties from the injured Mark Bradley.
Outhalf Colm Glynn kicked three early Buccaneers penalties but Dungannon seized control with a 15th minute try. Seamus Mallon made the telling break before offloading to Alistar Redpath who dived over. Two Mark Bradley penalties eased the home-side into a 19-9 half-time lead.
However, Buccaneers were an inspired side after the break, Glynn kicked a penalty and midway through the second half the side produced a classic try. Fullback Justin Maher cut lose on the left wing, linked cleverly with Ted Robinson and he sent Chris Keane in for the try. Glynn’s conversion tied the game at 19-19. Despite losing Paddy Johns to the sin-bin for most of the final 10 minutes Dungannon maintained territorial advantage but it wasn’t until the third minute of injury time that they won the penalty from which Humphreys struck the winning point.
Meanwhile at Templeville, St Mary’s drew 9-9 with the students. Barry Lynn scored three penalties for St Mary’s while Owen Hickey scored three for UCD. With a 6-3 lead at half-time, St Mary’s dominated the early stages of the second half but failed to convert their possession into scores.
AIB League Division One results:
Clontarf 9-16 Co Carlow
Dungannon 22-19 Buccaneers
Galwegians 15-20 Ballymena
St Mary’s 9-9 UCD
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
