Well, Letterkenny U14’s season kicked off with a bang...or two! against our great rivals City of Derry and from the start it proved to be a close knit affair.
Letterkenny went ahead around 6 minutes after some staunch defence . Some agressive rucking lead to a breaking run from inside Letterkennys 22 and with some fast ball through the hands they crashed over in the corner for the teams 1st try of the season. Letterkenny continued to breakdown the opposition with some strong clearouts and some sharp hands through the inside center Cathair Devenney out to Archie Stewart on the wing, allowing him to gain 30 meters of that valued ground. The payoff eventually came as David Ilie went over for his 2nd try and the swirling wind was no problem for Fly-half Cian O’Hagan who converted for his 1st points of the season. Another converted try from Cathair saw Letterkenny go in at half time with 19 points unanswered.
City of Derry came out with an edge in the 2nd half and hit Letterkenny hard in the rucks and breakdown. They were soon rewarded with a clean drive and try, right under the posts, duly converted. Letterkenny knuckled down again, Ryan Orsi went over for their 4th try, only to be held up by a strong Derry defence!
Particular mention goes to Jack Bond, Joseph “The Fridge” McShane, Charlie Robinson, John Quinn and Big Bobby Sweeney, Ronan Lapsley & “Wild” Will Harris who come up from last season’s Mini’s. They took instruction, played as a team and earned their first blood in Youth today.
Thanks to City of Derry for travelling and being great sports as always. Next Game 06/Oct, away to Finn Valley
Team: Jack Bond, Gary McGettigan, Connor Gibson, Big Bobby Sweeney, Ryan Orsi, Finn Duffy, Cillian Boyle, David Ilie, Cian “Bokke” Arenhold, Cian O’Hagan(C), Archie Stewart, Cathair Devenney, Charlie Robinson, John Quinn, Oisin Alexander:
Replacements: Wild Will Harris, Ronan Lapsley, Joseph “The Fridge” McShane, Daithi Gildea