I XV 60 v Newry RFC I XV 5
Letterkenny made the long trip to Newry on Saturday in the first league game of the season and sent out a message to the other teams in the league with a 60 – 5 win.
CLICK HERE for action shots from the GORDON WEST game
The game started in fine conditions with Letterkenny immediately applying pressure on the Newry line with a series of quick recycles resulting in a try from Michael Turvey under the posts. Conversion by Brian Peoples. The Newry kick off went out on the full and Letterkenny attacked down the right with Egan and Williamson making the space for John Anthony McFadden to outpace the cover and score out on the right, conversion missed. With Jason Daley in the sin bin Newry came into the game and spent some time in the Letterkenny half without looking like troubling the defence and it was Letterkenny who grabbed the next score when some great handling from Daley and Egan led to a score from centre Andrew Gibson who had started the move with some straight running in midfield.
An injury to a Newry player saw them reduced to 14 men and Letterkenny’s Shaun Dunleavy also had to leave the field for extensive treatment from Physio Ray Kenna. Newry defended strongly for the rest of the half but Shane Mc Art still managed to score after a powerful run down the left and with Peoples adding the conversion and also knocking over a penalty the halftime score stood at 30-0 to the Donegal men.
The second half was also a one sided affair with Letterkenny adding a further 5 tries from Liam McGlynn, Jason Daley, Damien Williamson, Michael Turvey and Conor Dunleavy but the Newry men never gave up and scored a fine try of their own before the end. Final score 60-5.
Letterkenny will be pleased with the result but wont be getting carried away with the scoreline and the boys are already looking forward to the next league game against PSNI on the 13th October at Derry YMCA. There were a number of fine performances with Michael Turvey impressing with 2 tries and Andrew Gibson made huge ground every time he carried the ball. Up front the Dunleavy brothers carried well and dominated the line outs and captain Karl Egan had a powerful display at number 8. Conor Roynane made his debut at tight head and is a welcome addition to the squad.
There is no game for the firsts next week but the 2nd XV play Tir Connail in the league, would all interested players please contact new captain Ronan O’Donnell or Tony McBride or David Doherty.
15.Brian Peoples 14.John Anthony McFadden 13.Paul Cassidy 12.Andrew Gibson 11.Jason Daley 10.Michael Turvey 9.Damien Williamson 8.Karl Egan(c) 7.Liam McGlynn 6.Shane MacArt 5.Conor Dunleavy 4.Shaun Dunleavy 3.Conor Ronayne 2.Rory McGonagle 1.Kevin McLaughlin
LETTERKENNY 1ST XV 46 – 8 DONEGAL REPORT
This wasn’t as one sided as the score suggests, but was simply a match where Letterkenny took their scores when the chances arose. The match started with Donegal Town’s heavier forwards on top but brave tackling by Mark Scott & Liam McGlynn held them at bay. Towards the middle of the half, a break by Kevin Duran, followed by good support work by Dunleavy & McGonigle started a back movement involving the whole back line the ball made it’s way to Jason Daly, who stepped inside his marker and outsprinted the covering full back to dive into the corner for a cracking try, which Brian Peoples narrowly failed to convert.
Letterkenny were soon on the attack again and after forward pressure Liam McGlynn touched down, with Peoples failing to convert but knocked over a penalty before half time.
Donegal were far from beaten and after an intense spell of pressure they pulled back three points with a penalty in front of the posts and followed up with a fine try when their winger sprinted from the half way line to dive over in the corner
Half time score 15 – 8 to Letterkenny
The hard training undertaken by the Letterkenny boys for pre-season was starting to tell but they received a set back when Conor Dunleavy was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes for a swinging fist. Lucky for him the target was missed otherwise he could have got a red card.
Without Dunleavy, Kenny seemed to move up a gear, and after a great ruck in midfield, Scrum-half Williamson made a brilliant blind side break and set up Jason Daly for a well taken try converted by Peoples. Dunleavys return was offset with the loss of Mark Scott for 10 minutes as he recieved treatment from physio Ray Kenna.
The next score came after a great run by captain Egan, clearing the way for Turvey to score beside the posts,with Peoples adding the points.
At this stage it was all Letterkenny with some excellent breaks by Debutant Paul Cassidy which culminated in a fine back line move ending in Cassidy storming over in the corner for a try which failed to be converted.
The wasps were not finished yet and after a dynamic drive by McArt, Liam McGlynn popped up as he always seems to do and scored in the corner
Letterkenny,s backline was on fire at this stage and a further try was scored by Full back Brian Peoples.
There were some outstanding performers on the day with Jason Daley looking sharp in the backline and Dunleavy was prominant up front after his 10 minute ‘rest’. Next week the team make the long trip to Newry in the league.
All in all this was an excellent start to the season, with the backs combining well to create scoring opportunities and this match should send a message to all teams that Letterkenny have the Gordon West cup in their sights again. Home supporters enjoyed a very sunny day at the Glebe for the few dozen in attendance.
15.Brian Peoples 14.John Anthony McFadden 13.Paul Cassidy 12.Andrew Gibson 11.Jason Daley 10.Michael Turvey 9.Damien Williamson 8.Mark Scott 7.Liam McGlynn 6.Shane McCart 5.Conor Dunleavy 4.Kevin Durran 3.Rory McGonagle 2.Karl Egan (c) 1.Kevin Mclaughlin
