A very large crowd of supporters gathered to watch City of Armagh play Dungannon in the final of the Ulster Premiership Division 1 Final. With the Stevenson Shield at stake, Dungannon kicked off but it wasn’t long before Armagh took possession and brought play into the Dungannon half. The opening score came on five minutes with hooker Finn Fehnert touching down following a driving maul from a lineout. The score was converted by fullback, Kyle Faloon for a 7-0 lead. The Armagh fullback then crossed for an unconverted try of his own.
The home side continued to dominate the game and midway through the first half, Fehnert claimed his brace of tries following another driving maul. Faloon converted to edge Armagh ahead 19-0.
The final score of the half came from winger Sam Cunningham following some excellent phase play. Faloon kicked his third conversion to make the score 26-0. Dungannon then had a spell of pressure on the Armagh line, looking for their opening score, but a penalty for holding on saw Armagh clear their line.
The half-time whistle blew and Armagh had a commanding lead at the break, 26-0.
HT: City of Armagh 26 - 0 Dungannon
The Orchard County side started the second half at pace and slick backline play saw winger Dylan Nelson cross for a converted try. Dungannon came more into the match in the second period and were rewarded for their efforts with a try under the posts by flanker, David Leyburn, converted by Ben McCaughey. With the score 33-7, conditions deteriorated with the threat of snow and play became more scrapy. The final score of the match came when Armagh outhalf, Rocky Olsen squeezed in at the corner following sustained pressure. Faloon was in superb kicking form and converted from the touchline to make the final scoreline, City of Armagh 40, Dungannon 7.
Following the match in the middle of a blizzard, Ulster Branch President, Lawrence Rocke presented the Stevenson Shield to stand-in Armagh captain, Lewis Finlay. Fly-half Rocky Olsen was named Player of the Match, and a special mention to stand-out performances from Josh McKinley and Paul Mullen.
From everyone at Ulster Rugby, a huge congratulations to the Armagh side who were crowned Ulster Senior League champions for the third time in the club's history, lifting the shield for the first time since the 2017/18 season, and knocking Ballynahinch off their winning streak.
