Tirconnaill RFC 0 LetterkennyRFC 2nd XV 52
The scoreline suggests that this was a very one sided game, but in fact it was an even game played in excellent sunny conditions, but with Letterkenny showing their rugby experience when it mattered, i.e. near the try line.
The match started with one of the quickest tries of the season, or any other season.
So quick that half of the Letterkenny players didn’t know about it, suffice to say that Gordon Grier used his pace to score a try in the corner, which Tony McBride failed to convert.
With this great start the home team were knocked back but they began to drive forward in both rucks and mauls and showed why they have won their last two games. With both Baska & Doogan having driven forward in a series of mauls, pressure was on the Letterkenny men, but with a break by McRory, followed up by Deery, Grier again flew in over the line for an excellent try, converted by McBride.
Further tries were scored by Daly, McNicholl and McBride before half time, all being converted by McBride
Tirconnaill started the second half as if they were going to sweep Letterkenny into the nearby Atlantic, when good runs by Doogan Doherty and Curran took the play deep into the visitors half, but from a brilliant breakout by Gallagher, who has to be on the verge of 1st XV rugby, play once again came towards the Tirconnaill line, from the resultant ruck, No8 Karl Egan forced his way over for a well taken try, conversion failed by McBride.
McBride was not to be beaten, and from a good break by Maxwell & Foy, Maxwell won the resultant lineout and McBride stepped his way over.
A great breakout, headed by Ward & Reynolds resulted once again with pressure on the Letterkenny line, but inexperience let the home team down and the chance was lost. With time running out,a great run by Doherty followed up by Liam Fogarty led to McBride clinching his hat trick.
All in all, a good win for Letterkenny, but Tirconnaill should not be disappointed, as with a bit more playing experience, a lot of those tries would be prevented, remembering most of the Letterkenny team have been playing for 6-8 years
Letterkenny: J. McNicholl, G. Grier, S. Deery, C, Lawless, B. McRory, T. McBride, P. Daly, S.Patton D,Doherty, C. Runayne, B, Maxwell, R, O’Donnell(Capt), T. Gallagher, M. Foy, K. Egan. Subs P. Cassidy & J. Fogarty
Tirconnaill: A. O’Collg, G, Gallagher, J.P. Baska, F, Sweeney, J. Doogan, K. Curran, M. Doherty, S. Doogan, D. McGee, C. O’Dea, C. Shovelin, D. Reynolds, P. Gallagher, R. Ward, J. Greene, E. Doogan, H. Boyle, C. Noyle
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