Accies claim Tyrone bragging rights

Dungannon….21
Omagh Accies..24

OMAGH Accies got their competitive season off to an encouraging start on Saturday afternoon at a sun-splashed Stevenson Park where they recorded a three point victory over their hosts, derby rivals Dungannon.

Neither side – both of whom were understrength – reached the heights their respective coaches will be hoping to see when the All-Ireland League action resumes in October, but Accies chief Glen Kyle was definitely the happier man at the full-time whistle.

The former Clogher Valley coach was delighted with his side’s tenacity and concentration, particularly during the second half when they had to withstand a Dungannon onslaught with only 14 men on the pitch.

The Accies had led 21-5 at the break, thanks to tries from Kyle Beattie (he also kicked three conversions), Luke Hanson and Neil Brown, the latter of whom had to retire early injured alongside the returning Ryan Armstrong.

But in the second period they were unable to continue that sort of form and when Mark Smyth was yellow carded on the hour mark, the pressure from the home side built and it increased with Taine Lagan followed him into the bin for the final 10 minutes of the clash.

By that stage Dungannon, who scored tries through Ross Stewart, Jono Shreestha and Jordan McIlwaine, who kicked two conversions, were only three points behind their visitors, but try as they might, Andrew Hughes men could not find a way through the well-drilled Omagh defence.

This coming weekend, Omagh entertain Ballymena at the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields and Dungannon travel to Belfast Harlequins.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK’S ULSTER HERALD