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DUNGANNON’S interim head coach, Johnny Patton, is keen for his players to get minutes in their legs during tomorrow’s Ulster Senior Cup Group 1 fixture at Banbridge. Patton has taken the reigns following Johnny Gillespie’s departure just days before the start of pre-season, but alongside newly appointed forwards coach, Bryan Young, Patton has taken charge of the first XV’s build-up ahead of what is expected to be a tough second season in Energia All-Ireland League 2A. However, having taken the division somewhat by surprise last term when they booked a promotion play-off spot, there is a case of what’s not broken doesn’t need fixed, so he’s not about to rip up the book he helped write alongside Gillespie and former forwards coach, Johnny Graham, who stepped down at the end of last season. Continuity Continuity will be key for continuing the recent resurgence at Stevenson Park and with the playing squad remaining largely unchanged – barring the departures of Andrew McGregor to Lisburn, Matthew Maguire to Portadown and Peter Nicholl and the arrival of former Methody back, Oliver Berry – that shouldn’t be an issue for Patton, who will also retain his role as senior backs coach, while 2nd XV coach, Lee Cheevers has also been hands on during pre-season along with strength and conditioning expert, Stuart Lester. As part of their preparations for the new season, Dungannon visited Omagh Accies on Saturday for a warm-up encounter, which Patton feels will hold his squad in good stead for their trip to Banbridge which, while it is a competitive encounter on paper, the Ulster Senior Cup is more of a pre-season extension ahead of the AIL kick-off next month. ‘Good run-out’ “It was a really good run-out, a good hit-out and we got loads of guys minutes,” he said. “We brought a big squad, so it was really worthwhile. “That’s what it’s about at this stage, getting minutes in the legs and no injuries and they [Omagh] were really physical, which was good because we haven’t done a lot of physical stuff but the guys switched onto it really quickly, which is always good to see. “We use [the Ulster Senior Cup] as pre-season essentially. I don’t really like saying it but that’s the reality. Our season starts on September 26th, so there’s plenty to get through during that time. “It’s important to get new combinations, minutes and get used to rugby again. Pre-season-wise numbers have been good and I suppose the challenge for me was, I needed the sessions to be good and I think that worked out well.” After visiting Banbridge, Dungannon will host Ballynahinch and City of Armagh in their other two Group 1 fixtures ahead of their opening AIL fixture at home against Galwegians at the end of next month. Elsewhere, Clogher Valley being their Ulster Senior Cup campaign at Ballymena on Saturday, while Omagh Accies travel to Ballymoney in Championship One and Strabane entertain Academy in Championship Two. All games kick-off at 2.30pm.