Larkin, Anderson Make Dungannon Switch

…Adam Larkin in action for Ulster against London in a pre-season friendly last August…

Ulster utility back Adam Larkin and Ireland Under-19 flanker Thomas Anderson will be playing in the blue and white of Dungannon next season.

The Stevenson Park club have completed the signings of a number of players ahead of the new AIB League campaign.

Jeremy Davidson’s side finished a disappointing twelfth in Division One last season, and although they shared the Ulster Senior League title with Ballymena, 2005/06 was largely a year to forget.

The Ulster-contracted Larkin, who can operate at centre or out-half, is the most high profile of Davidson’s signings. The Sydney-born player, 32, has been a regular for Ballymena in recent seasons and made seven appearances for Ulster in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup last year.

Thomas Anderson, the son of former Ireland captain Willie Anderson, joins from Queen’s University. The 19-year-old was a pivotal figure for Ireland during April’s IRB U-19 World Cup in Dubai.

Davidson has also snapped up former Ireland Schools and U-19 centre Mark Scott (Ballynahinch), former Queen’s half-back Mel Ferry and impressive City of Derry out-half Richard McCarter, who has played twice for the Barbarians.

Former centre and skipper Paul Magee has agreed to return to ‘Gannon after a successful stint with Cambridge University. The 27-year-old Tyrone man played his part in Cambridge’s 31-16 win in their annual Varsity match against Oxford last season.

‘Gannon, who are due to tour Canada shortly, get their season up and running on August 26 with an Ulster Senior League tie against Instonians. Their opening game in Division One is at home against Garryowen on October 14.

Davidson confirmed: “We have a party of 36 going to Canada, with 26 of those being players. There are games against Crimson Tide and Vancouver Wave planned.”

The former Ulster, Ireland and Lions lock is targeting success in the Ulster Senior League and Cup, as well as an improvement on last year’s AIB League performance.

“Obviously we are again aiming for success in the Ulster League and Cup, but we also want to improve in the All-Ireland League certainly last year we under-achieved,” he told the News Letter.

“We had a couple of poor results and ended up well down the table. This year we’ll be aiming for the top four and the play-offs, as always. Certainly I want us to be among the contenders.”