LETTERKENNY RUGBY NOTES:
Senior First Team: Letterkenny begin season in style Letterkenny 1st XV 31 – Virginia 8
The new season began well at Dave Gallagher Park with a visit from Cavan Club, Virginia on what turned out to be a very warm and sunny day giving near perfect conditions, on a wonderful pitch.
The Letterkenny men started off quite rusty as expected, in the first game of the season. New Captain Andrew Gibson soon settled his men though and the hard work in preseason, soon showed as they built phase after phase eventually allowing 2nd Row Ben Mortimer to break the line and get a try beneath the posts.
Virginia responded with pressure, pushing right to the Kenny try line but the defence was strong and they couldn’t get through. They were rewarded however with 3 points from a penalty in front of the posts. Another try for Kenny from wing Cian Curran gave them a strong lead at the half time. 12-3 to Letterkenny.
The 2nd half was dominated by Letterkenny. Tries from Darragh Nolan, John Anthony McFadden and prop Rae Clarke, really showcased of this Letterkenny sides potential. Some great conversions from full back Bryan McGinley added to the tally. A late break away try from Virginia gave the visitors some consolation, but there was still no taking away from this very good Letterkenny performance.
Letterkenny 1st XV: Chris Digimas, Gary Canning, Rae Clarke, Ben Mortimer, Kevin Durran, Terence Gallagher, Craig Herron, Ciaran Clarke, Conal Sheridan, Andrew Gibson (C), Cian Curran, Sean Deery, John Anthony McFadden, Darragh Nolan, Bryan McGinley.
Next week see’s the 1st XV host Strabane in the first round of the Gordon West Cup. The 2nd XV are starting their season with a visit to Carrickfinn to play Tir Chonaill, at the airport.
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At Youth level Letterkenny had a great start, hosting City of Derry on a beautiful day.
Under 14s won 24 – Nil with 2 tries from Fantastic Fabio, one each from Mya Alcorn, Adam Quinn and conversions from Bobby McGettigan and Charlie Worth. Letterkenny really outclassed a Derry side that lost heart from early on, even though they showed ability. The rematch should be good.
Under 16s won 28 – 7 with tries from Will Douglas, Oisin McGarvey, Oran Wilson and Ciaran Aitken plus 4 straight conversions from Fionn McGarvey. This was always a very one sided affair, but the Derry team never gave up trying, so it was very entertaining. All players got an outing.
Under 18s won 37 – 20 and it was a hard, fast, physical display, which saw Letterkenny start well with two tries by Adam Quinn and Hughie Merlehan and one conversion by Ryan Mortimer leaving them ahead by just 2 points at half time, because Derry came back with two tries. But the second half saw Kenny take control, adding 3 more tries from, Kieran Sweeney, Ryan Mortimer and a stunning Sam MacGinty ‘Solo’ after catching a restart kick from the gifted boot of Ryan Mortimer – he ran the pitch, ducking and diving past four tackles to cross the line. Again Ryan Mortimer converted twice along with an earlier perfect 2 penalty kicks. This contest was a wonderful Derby and the after match fun showed what the game is all about. Owen Ferry from Derry got an especially ‘warm’ reception coming off the pitch from the locals.
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