Letterkenny travelled to Derry to take on YM in the third group game of this seasons Gordon West cup. With the home side already out of the competition and Letterkenny already through to the quarter finals next March there was little for either team to play for however the game was as hard an uncompromising as you would expect from these old rivals. Letterkenny made a couple of changes from last weeks team with David Doherty coming into the second row for his first start of the season to replace the departed Shaun Dunleavy and Terence Gallagher made his debut for the 1st team at number 6 In the backs Andrew Gibson and Michael Turvey traded places and Shane McArt filled in at centre for Paul Cassidy who moved to full back to cover for the injured John Anthony McFadden.
Letterkenny started the game at their usual high pace and had YM in all sorts of trouble with some quick recycling and strong running. Gibson was directing play well from number 10 and after putting several runners through gaps he took a flat ball himself 5 meters from the line and barged over for the first score which Paul Cassidy converted. The forwards were dominant in the scrums and produced a steady stream of ball whick kept Derry pinned back in their own half of the field and after a strong surge from prop Kevin Mclaughlin Conor Dunleavy carried it on and released Shane MCart who burst clear to dot down under the posts, again Cassidy converted.
YM then came back at Letterkenny and their big runners carried the ball into the Kenny pack, however they got no change there with Mark Scott and Conor Roynane making big hits around the fringes. Eventually Letterkenny began to build the pressure again and play was brought right to the Derry line where captain Karl Egan barged over for the third try of the day, this time unconverted. Half time score 19-0.
The second half started much the same as the first with the Letterkenny forwards and centre Shane McArt running hard at the home defense and bringing play close the the try line, Mark Scott took it up the blind side and offloaded to Liam McGlynn who got over for only his eighth of the season. With the game now decided the forwards said over to you and the backs got in on the act. Two near identical scores for Tony McBride stretched the lead further until Letterkenny produced the score of the day in the last play of the game. Gibson directed the play through the forward runners up the right side of the field and then released his backs to the left and with good passes from turvey and Cassidy Jason Daly got away down the touch line and sidestepped the full back for a fine score. Full time 43-0.
A good result and credit to Derry YM who kept running and tackling hard right until the end.
15.Paul Cassidy 14.Tony McBride 13.Michael Turvey 12.Shane McArt 11.Jason Daley 10.Andrew Gibson 9.Conal Sheridan 8.MArk Scott 7.Liam McGlynn 6.Terence Gallagher 5.Conor Dunleavy 4.David Doherty 3.Conor Ronyane 2.Karl Egan 1.Kevin Mclaughlin
Next up its a big one, away to Monaghan on the 24th November. There will be a bus to this game and all supporters are invited to come along and cheer the team along. Details closer to the time but if you are interested in travelling please let one of the coaches know as soon as possible as places are filling up fast!
