Inishowen 53 – 15 Donegal Town
In these days of fiscal scarcity, it is not enough to merely judge a product, service or performance by the end result, as this delivers a one dimensional and blinkered outcome, to understand the bigger picture, we must first understand each individual aspect, and analyse every construct to ensure that maximum advantage is being wrested from every ounce of investment. Under the microscope of such introspection, how would Saturday’s performance by the Inishowen Senior XV against competition from Donegal Town compare with the first two games of the 2011-2012 season?
As things go, it compared very favourably indeed, whilst score lines and winning margins were of a similar nature, there was a marked difference in how this most recent result was achieved by the peninsula men. Previously, against Finn Valley and Tir Chonaill, Inishowen had managed to rack up respectable scores against very inexperienced teams, but without delivering on the type of performance that they would be able to carry onto the field and replicate against more experienced opponents.
Donegal Town represented that step up in experience, and the home team responded by delivering a performance that was short on the niggling mistakes and tactical naivety of previous games, and big on the solid, dependable and at times, stylish displays from all units within the team.
A quick glimpse of the balance sheet and final accounts of the game might read as follows;
Scrums;
Solid and aggressive, delivering dependable possession for the backline on our own ball and pressurising on Donegal’s put in, resulting in poor delivery for the visitors, or turnovers against the head. Result: Credit Inishowen
Lineouts;
By the second half, Inishowen were winning 100% of both their own ball, and the oppositions. Result; Credit Inishowen
Backline;
Were fluid in attack and efficient in defence, recycled the ball well when taken into contact, and made impressive territory when they spread the ball to the wings. Linked well with loose forwards to offload and get behind the Donegal defensive line. Result: Credit Inishowen
Rucking and Mauling;
In the ruck situation, confident taking the ball into contact, making it available without any undue delay, the maul was used to good effect on several occasions to provide an attacking platform and link the forwards and backs. Counter rucking was aggressive, and successfully turned the ball over on occasion. Result; Credit Inishowen
Finishing;
Mixing the clinical with the stylish, Inishowen crossed the try line on 7 occasions, with 6 conversions and a penalty to add the extra points. Donegal Town replied with 5 penalties from infringements in play. Tries from Hickey, Sweeny, Craig, Jones, Norris, Johnston and a brace from Cantwell – conversions by Glasha Result; Credit Inishowen
After considering all these aspects, the final accounts showed a very handsome bottom line of 53 -15 for the home team, and the possibility of healthy returns in the near future.
The turnip of the match was awarded to David Black, who received a pass with 40 yards of clear space between himself and the try line, but veered away from the space and towards a defender, such was his appetite for breaking through tackles. When, post match, he was awarded the turnip, he clamped it under his arm and ran through the wall of the changing room, an indication that perhaps, it was not a lesson learned.
Report by Jeremy Blackman
Pictures by Helena McDonald
Congratulations to Inishowen Under 15’s who secured an excellent victory away to City of Derry earlier in the day.
A reminder that underage training continues every Wednesday evening from 7.30 to 8.30 at Carndonagh Community School, for ages from 7 years old up to 15’s.
Ladies Tag Rugby
Ladies Tag rugby, a non contact form of rugby is run every Tuesday evenings from 7pm onwards at the gym in Carndonagh, if you fancy trying your hand at a new sport, or are looking for a great way to keep fit over the winter, why not come along and join in?
