Dungannon players 'relishing the challenge' of Division 2A after strong start following promotion

Jonny Gillespie’s side welcome leaders Barnhall to Stevenson Park for a top-of-the-table clash.

The coach has been happy with the first five games in the higher division but knows Barnhall will provide a stern test of Gannon’s promotion credentials.

“it all came down to a good start away to Greystones,” Gillespie said. “I think a bonus point win there was probably unexpected from everyone, but we said at full time we were happy to go under the radar for a little while and see where it took us and try and focus on our own bits and pieces.

“To back that up with a win was good and that gave us a little bit of confidence. I wouldn't say we're playing as well as we can, we do have one or two injuries now that will start to bite us a little bit, but overall I have to say we're very content with the start that we've made.

“We're excited about just the standard that the team can try and get to, we've just got to keep getting better.

“You almost put an expectation on yourself that you have to try and win. I think in my first year we were probably the underdogs in a lot of games and we had to try and shift the mindset to, well actually if we're getting better we need to put pressure on ourselves to go out and get results. How do we manage that? So that's something as a squad we're slowly getting better at in terms of standard.

“Last year 2B was really tough because you had Clocker, Malone give you nothing, Rainey give you nothing.

“They have really good athletes. It's probably the athleticism of the opposition that's higher in this league and if you go up again to 1B, it will be exactly the same.

“There will just be a jump in athleticism and speed, so far we're handling it.

“There's going to be difficult periods in the season, we know that, we're not getting ahead of ourselves, but I would sum it up by saying the players are relishing the challenge of the league so far.”

Barnhall arrive in Co Tyrone with a three-point cushion.

“We try not to look at the table, we just know that Barnhill are a really good team, they look to run everything first,” Gillespie stated.

“They have multiple threats across the pitch. good seven, good centre, decent scrum.

“We're not really looking at the league table, we're just excited for the challenge and a team that we haven't played before. It's a little test for us and we're excited to get into it.

“Our analysis of Barnhall has been the same as everybody else, we have a plan to try and stop it, and whoever executes their plan better on Saturday will win.

“We will back ourselves wherever we go, it almost feels like the less expected we are to win the more likely we are to win, it’s the psyche that my players have.”

Ben McCaughey is facing a spell on the side lines.

It’s ninth against eighth at Eaton Park as Ballymena host Cashel, while basement club Banbridge face Old Crescent.

In Division 2B, third-placed Malone travel to fourth-placed Sligo, Clogher Valley visit Enniscorthy, Rainey make the trip to Navan.

Injury-hit Ballyclare host Monkstown in 2C, while Belfast Harlequins entertain Midleton.