Malone progress to the Semi Final of the Senior Cup

This was always going to be a tricky fixture for Malone Head coach Paddy Armstrong and his players. He was trying to take advantage of the three week break in UBL games to rest players and give game time to his bench players.
With British and Irish Cup commitments the coach did not have Joe Dunleavy, Matthew Dalton, Jack Owens and Callum Smith available. Both Academy players Peter Cooper and Callum Harkin were released to play. The decision was taken to rest Rory Campbell and David McMaster with Captain Ross Todd, Dan Kerr and Shane Kelly taking their place on the bench. A late injury scare saw Shane Kelly being replaced on the bench with David McMaster.

Further changes to the starting xv saw Scott Finlay starting at Hooker. Seconds 2nd row Thomas Dullage making his debut for the 1st xv with Stuart Doddington starting at 7 and Michael Shiels returning to take his place at 6. Ulster Academy scrum half Callum Harkin started at 9 with winger Jack McMurtry being rewarded for his consistent performances on the seconds with a start on the left wing. There was also a return to the bench for prop Phil Eadie after being out for several weeks with an injury and scrum half Connor Spence.

When a team has scored nine tries in a convincing 70 - 15 win over Galwegians in the UBL the previous week there are always danger signals for the coaches in being able to lift the players. Would the players suffer a 'hangover' from the previous week. The only way you could describe the home sides performance in the first half against Dungannon, "Very Lethargic".

This was very much the case in the first half of the match with the visitors quickly taking control to establish a 10 - 0 lead after 30 mins with an intercept try through player coach and centre Seamus Mallon converted by centre Chris Swash who also kicked a penalty. Malone winger Mark O'Connor broke through to score a try to leave the halftime score 10 - 5 in favour of Dungannon.

It took a purple patch mid way through the second half for this Malone team to take the initiative away from their opponents. They scored 27 unanswered points through tries from Michael Shiels and David McMaster and a penalty try from the pack with winger Mark O'Connor converting two and kicking two penalties to finish with a personal tally of 15 points.

Despite having two players sin binned in the final minutes Dungannon scored two converted tries through their backs Duran Krummeck and Andrew McCregor with centre Chrish Swash converting both to give an air of respectability to the final score line of 32 - 24 in favour of Malone.

Yes there were lapses in the final minutes that allowed Dungannon to score 14 unanswered points but after a disappointing first half performance the players showed real character to progress to the semi final draw that will include holders Ballynahinch, City of Armagh and Ballymena. I understand the draw will take place on Tuesday.

The positives from today were the performances of props Ben Halliday and Philip Eadie who had 40 mins on the pitch. Ross Todd also made an impact when he came on in the 2nd half. Again his leadership contributed to the teams strong 2nd half performance. Winger Mark O'Connor scored 25 points on his return to the 1st xv last week and added another 15 points today.

Several players picked up injuries during the match including Captain for day Michael Cartmill, Nathan Brown, Peter Cooper, Michael Shiels, Josh Davidson and Jack McMurtry. The most serious injury was picked up by Michael Cartmill that could rule him out for several weeks. Head coach Paddy Armstrong was quick to use his bench to replace players picking up knocks.

Congratulations go to second row Tom Dullage who put in a very workmanlike performance on his debut for the 1st xv.

Just a note on injuries I understand long term injured players Ben McDonnell, Adam Liddell and Gary Crawford continue to make progress with forwards James McAllister and Dave Cave sidelined for several weeks.

Malone seconds had their Conference League game postponed at Limavady today due to a waterlogged pitch. Manager Davy Heron was looking forward to his team getting a run out in preparation for their Junior Cup Quarter Final at Portadown next Saturday. Kick off 2.30PM.

Congratulations go to Malone players Joe Dunleavy and Jack Owens who scored tries for Ulster A in the their 24 - 18 win over Scarlets Select in the British & Irish Cup at Banbridge today. Second row Matthew Dalton made an impact off the bench in his debut for Ulster A. Well done to all three players who are great ambassadors for Malone rugby club.

Malone team: 1 Ben Halliday, 2. Scott Finlay, 3. Peter Cooper,4. Thomas Dullage, 5. Josh Davidson, 6. Michael Shiels, 7. Stuart Doddington, 8. Ryan Clarke, 9. Callum Harkin, 10. Josh Pentland, 11. Jack McMurtry, 12. Nathan Brown, 13. Michael Cartmill (Captain), 14. Mark O'Connor. 15. Andy Bryan's, 16. Dan Kerr, 17. Philip Eadie, 18. Ross Todd, 19. David McMaster, 20. Connor Spence.

Saturday the 21st October, make an effort to get along to Chambers Park, to support the second xv in their Junior Cup Quarter match against Portadown.
Portadown made it three wins in a row after defeating Clogher Valley 14 - 5 in the league at Fivemiletown today. Managers Davy Heron, Sam McBurney and Harry McMurtry and the players would appreciate your presence.