Donegal 16 – 15 Lisburn
Donegal started their season with a hard fought victory over a strong Lisburn side in a wind swept match at the Holmes.
The home side started slow allowing Lisburn to dominate the possession, with a huge wind on there backs Lisburn had a few missed penalties before they got in for converted try, after more and more pressure the home side conceded another try in the corner to leave the score 12-0.
This was wake up call the locals needed and with a turnover from captain fantastic (Gareth McMurray) the Donegal forwards rumbled the ball into the enemy 22 and with great power and feet like ballerina Daniel Gildea crashed over for the first try of the season, with the score at 7-12 to the visitors donegal gave away another kickable penalty and it was slotted over to leave the home side 7-15 behind at the break.
With the wind on there backs Donegal started the second half strongest and with some great play from all 15 they found themselves with a penalty on the opposition 22, the penalty was slotted over by Ray Gallagher, with the score now at 10-15 Donegal had the momentum and another penalty brought it to squeaky bum time. (13-15)
With 10 minutes on the clock donegal were being pinned back inside there own 22, a mistake from the away side and a clearance kick put the Reds up the opposite end of the pitch, Lisburn’s discipline let them down yet again and Ray Gallagher again stepped up and smashed one over from 57 meters (official measurement), this left the home team in the lead for the first time all game and they were never going to let it slip, a powerful defensive effort seen the game out and Donegal are off to a winning start.
In an emotional post match interview captain Gareth McMurray was fighting back the tears as he spoke about the team effort and fact than Dan Gildea was capable of such silky skills, Rob Hannafin has issued an official apology for the shortest appearance in club history, he came off the bench only the be greeted by a yellow card 2 minutes later, he had this to say, “As I went onto the pitch I was buzzing at being giving a chance to shine, I felt great, but after hitting one ruck I was wrecked, the busy mornings shopping caught up with me, i felt I needed a beak so I decided to stick the boot in, the ref seen it (thank god) and off I went, I got another cap and a break, win win”.
So it’s a three week break now for the firsts and then it’s a home clash with Ballymoney.
