After a good solid pre season, a determined Antrim team welcomed Letterkenny to Allen Park in what would mark the first game of Antrim’s return to the Qualifying section. It would also mark the first public glimpse of the impressive new Antrim kit which was unveiled at Spice restaurant to club members last weekend.
Antrim fielded a strong team with Tom Hopgood, Gary McCourt and Andrew Dunbar making their debuts at prop, flanker and scrumhalf. With the no substitution rule at this level, fitness had to be in peak condition.
It was a determined Antrim team who started the brightest, with some dominant play. For the opening 10 minutes, they found themselves camped on the Letterkenny 22 metre line. Antrim eventually took the lead through a Rick Manson penalty, after having missed a similar effort minutes earlier.
Antrim contained Letterkenny quite well and tackling was solid from all sections of the team as Letterkenny struggled to break through. Going behind, sparked Letterkenny into life and within a few minutes the backs ran an overlap and crashed into the corner to take the lead and despite missing the conversion, kicked a penalty soon after to take a 8-3 lead.
Antrim comfortably defended from open play with some good tackling from Andy Cameron and Gary McCourt on the flanks.
Letterkenny stepped up their game and much of their attacks came through their number 8. The visitors began to pressure Antrim in the scrums and lineouts and despite Antrim being the better team for much of the first half, they found themselves down by 23 points to 3 at half time as Letterkenny ran in 2 more tries, a conversion and a penalty from set plays. Antrim’s main highlight of the first half being the opening dominance and a superb tap tackle by debutant Andrew Dunbar on the visiting number 8.
As Antrim regrouped, it took more resilient defending from Antrim to frustrate the big Letterkenny pack. Antrim made the Letterkenny 22 metre line again early on but Dave Laing, Neil and Rick Manson were all thwarted in their attempts to break through.
Letterkenny maintained posession and starved Antrim of ball as Antrim prevented them crossing over as every man put their bodies on the line. The visitors eventually broke the deadlock, touching down 3 more times and converting once off the post.
The scoreline was harsh on a young Antrim team, who showed glimpses of what they are capable of. Antrim’s Andrew Dunbar had a solid debut and stood out as he put in a credible man of the match performance
Training 7:30 on Tuesday and Thursday at Allen Park. All newcomers welcome.
Lineups: D.Sharp, C.Anderson, T.Hopgood, P.McAleer, D.Crooks, G.McCourt, A.Cameron(Captain) , D.Laing, A.Dunbar, R.Manson, D.Thompson, N.Manson, C.McIvor, G.Smith, D.Phelps
