QUALIFYING THREE Holywood 39 Donegal 24
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Kerr Park welcomed league leaders Donegal to North Down for this contest between two of the leagues promotion contenders. Holywood stalwart Hugo Perry had ensured the playing surface was in perfect condition for the occasion. Donegal were missing their regular scrum half Declan Gallagher and left winger Jason Vance with outhalf and Captain Peteso Cannon moving into the nine position and Rory Boyle filling in at ten. Holywood were at full strength bar Gareth Hillen who was out with an ankle injury. The pre-game warm up emphasised the importance of this match with both coaches Wayne Griffiths of Holywood and Gary Prenderville of Donegal focusing their players on the task ahead. Opening exchanges between both sides were scrappy and error strewn as both sides pushed for that all important opening score. After an excellent break by Donegal centre Gareth McMurray Donegal were awarded a penalty that was converted by Peteso Cannon.
Good work by Holywood flanker Simon Hobson resulted in outhalf Jordan De Pledge converting a penalty. Almost immediately Holywood conceded a penalty with Donegal’s Cannon striking the post with his kick. Despite plenty of endeavour from both sides their failure to be accurate with their passing prevented both sides scoring tries. After thirty minutes Holywood lost their second row Ruben Johnston to injury. With Donegal conceding several penalties Holywood took the lead with a further De Pledge penalty. Donegal responded with an excellent try when good work by Cannon, McMurray and winger Joe Kennedy resulted in openside Shane Gillespie diving over for a try with Cannon adding the points to lead 10 – 6. Their hard working back row forwards Jimmy Brogan and Brian Mulhearn kept their team going forward with Cannon’s accurate line kicking. Holywood had an opportunity before half time to add points only for De Pledge’s final pass to go loose. It was a different Holywood side who started the second half with 14 players as they ran in three tries in the space of ten minutes. Once again their lively scrum half and Captain Rory Eve scored an opportunist try converted by De Pledge. Holywood’s second row Phil Hooks gathered the kick off to launch another attack. With great handling from Alex Newton, Angus White and Simon Hobson their flying Norwegian winger Peter Storeng outpaced the Donegal defence to score an excellent try converted by De Pledge. Holywood weren’t finished as Donegal failed to put pressure on the catcher from the kick off. Again excellent handling by Centre Kyle McFarland, their impressive Kiwi No 8 Sean Winstanley and full back Luke McDowell created the space for fellow winger Steve Christie to score their third try. De Pledge was unable to add the points. From losing 10 – 6 at half time Holyood had established a 25 – 10 lead. With the verbal promptings of Donegal coach Gary Prenderville: Donegal bounced back to score a well-deserved try through second row Daniel Gildea with Cannon adding the points . Holywood’s response was immediate as their talented full back Luke McDowell chased and charged down a Donegal clearance kick to score a fine try with De Pledge adding the points to lead 32 – 17. Holywood’s fifth try was down to their confidence in running with the ball as they attacked at pace through full back McDowell with support from Hobson and Storeng for the hard working second row Phil Hooks to touch down for a well-deserved try. Donegal showed their pride when the hard running McMurray scored a try with Cannon adding the points to reduce the deficit to 39 – 24. Donegal winger Ernan Cassidy almost added a fourth try when he ran fifty metres only to be hauled down by the Holywood full back McDowell just short of the try line. This piece of action signalled the end of an enthralling game by referee David Coey. Well done to both sides for putting on a very entertaining game of rugby. Holywood Captain Rory Eve’s response: It was a good hard fought win. He was full of praise for the work put in by coach Wayne Griffiths and the players during training. The team knew it was going to be a tough game and they face another hard game at Larne next Saturday. The players have benefited from the work put in by strength and conditioning coach Colin Downey and the Gym facilities made available to the players by the club has paid dividends.
Donegal coach Gary Prenderville was disappointed with the result after his side’s first half performance. He was pleased his side showed pride in the second half. His side would fancy their chances at home to Holywood in the return game.
Holywood team: 1. Andrew Woods, 2. Ben Scott, 3.Andrew Davidson, 4. Ruben Johnston, 5. Phil Hooks, 6. Simon Hobson, 7. Alex Newton, 8. Sean Winstanley, 9. Rory Eves (Captain), 10. Jordan De Pledge, 11. Pete Storeng, 12. Angus White, 14. Stevie Christie, 15. Luke McDowell.
Donegal team: 1.Ronan Gillespie, 2. Emmett Brogan, 3. Sean McGill, 4. Daniel Gildea, 5. Sean Mahon, 6. Brian Mulhearn, 7. Shane Gillespie, 8. Jimmy Brogan, 9. Peteso Cannon ( Captain) 10. Rory Boyle, 11. Ernan Cassidy, 12. Lee Mosley, 13. Gareth McMurray, 14. Joe Kennedy, 15. Declan Bushell.
