Letterkenny 1st XV got back to winning ways in cold conditions at Lurgan rugby club. The home side got the perfect start when their tight head prop crashed over from a messy line out on the 5m line. The try was then converted by their out-half to give them an early 7-0 lead. As the half progressed, the Lurgan out half controlled the game beautifully, keeping Letterkenny in their own half with every opportunity. Eventually the pressure told and Lurgan won themselves a penalty after their flanker got himself in a strong position over the ball. Their trusty kicker slotted the 3 pointer and the score was 10-0.
Letterkenny began to play a bit more however and through some excellent carrying by the pack, won a few penalties to give Letterkenny some territory. A kickable penalty was awarded but Robinson couldn’t convert the opportunity.
Before the half ended, Lurgan found themselves in shooting zone once more but their fullback wasn’t able to land the long range effort and the half ended 10-0 in favour of the home side.
The second half began as Letterkenny raced out of the blocks to try and curtail the lead the home side had built up. Michael Turvey carried strongly into the Lurgan pack along with his fellow back rowers. Letterkenny kicked for the corner and from the resulting line out which Ben Mortimer took cleanly in the air, pressure was mounted and a try was scored by Turvey. Robinson converted to take it to 10-7 with around 30 mins to play.
There was a struggle for dominance in the next 10 minutes as both teams kicked back and forth looking for territory. An opportunity fell to the Lurgan fullback for a drop goal but his ambitious effort dropped short and Lettekenny got off the hook. Lurgan then made a good break through their nippy winger and looked to be in for a try in the corner but for a very timely interception from scrum half Conal Sheridan to keep Kenny in the game. Unfortunately he didn’t have the pace to take him all the way but it gave Letterkenny a good attacking opportunity deep in the Lurgan half.
Sheridan marshaled his pack well from there and they found themselves within inches of the line only to be held up by a resilient defence.
From the 5m scrum however, Letterkenny controlled well and patience in play saw them go through 10 plus phases before captain Karl Egan squeezed over for what would be a crucial score.
Robinson converted once more and Letterkenny led for the first time 14-10 with 4 minutes left on the clock.
Cool heads were shown from the kick off and more dominant play in the tight from the Letterkenny pack resulted in another penalty which Robinson dually kicked to touch to claim a good victory away from home.
The difference between the sides was Letterkennys resilient defence and ability to be patient in attack and their refusal to leave the Lurgan 22 without scores once they had gained the field position. Well done to Ben Mortimer playing only his second game for the 1st XV and Michael Turvey who switched from the backs to the forwards seemlessly and had a great game at number 6. The back 3 were excellent in dealing with the constant aerial bombardment from the Lurgan half backs and the pack laid the foundation for victory with some strong scrummaging.
Training on Thursday night only this week, home game against High School on Saturday.
Final score Lurgan 10 -14 Letterkenny.
15.Tony McBride 14.Liam Molloy 13.Paul Cassidy 12.Andrew Gibson 11.Mike O’Shea 10.Boyd Robinson 9.Conal Sheridan 8.Mark Scott 7.Terence Gallagher 6.Michael Turvey 5.David Doherty 4.Ben Mortimer 3.Conor Ronyane 2.Karl Egan 1.Michael Foy
