Letterkenny u18 v Malone u18 15.11.14

Letterkenny Under 18s were looking to continue their unbeaten home record on Saturday at Dave Gallaher Park but would have to beat Malone, a fixture which was won heavily by the Belfast side at their last meeting. The game kicked off at 11.30 with Letterkenny eager to ensure they would not be caught sleeping early on.

The start could not have been better for the home side. Outside centre Daniel Faulkner put a deep kick in which winger Kevin Grant chased up to pressurise their defender. Grant managed to charge down the attempted clearance kick and gathered up the loose ball to score the home side’s first try under the posts, converted by Ryan Mortimer. Letterkenny continued to play a territorial game through tactical kicking and Malone could not hold under the pressure, giving away six points through a lack of discipline at the breakdown.

Even with a thirteen point lead approaching half time, Letterkenny remained hungry. Instead of slowing down the game they turned up the intensity through a tireless effort from the forwards, namely lock Diarmuid Gallagher whose noticeable contribution gave the home side invaluable territory. When the ball came wide to the backs, a loop between fly half and centre culminated in a try for Mortimer in the corner, putting Letterkenny 18-0 ahead at half time.

However, it was clear that a different approach would have to be taken in the second half as the wind was no longer in Letterkenny’s favour. But three converted tries down, Malone were afraid to kick for territory and instead maintained a running game, which eventually resulted in a try down the middle through uncharacteristic missed tackles.

Letterkenny were quick to respond and remained camped on Malone’s try line for phase after phase, Ben Khavia and David McLean both being held up over the line. Awarded a penalty five metres out, the home side opted to run rather that take the points. The confidence was rewarded with prop Karl Wilson crashing over to extend the lead.

Malone began to make use of the wind advantage but could not close down out backs Evin Walsh and Adam Boal-Quinn, who carried back up time and again to shrug off any pressure the visitors threw their way. The next ten minutes consisted largely of both sides fighting for possession, Malone desperate to get back into the game and Letterkenny comfortable to hold on to the impressive lead. While Malone made several promising breaks out wide, the defence was unyielding and instead of conceding, Letterkenny managed to get their final try by an incredible solo effort from Grant, who fended off several defenders inches from the touch line to run in under the posts. The conversion brought it to 32-7 and the final whistle was sounded minutes later.

Falling victim to many defeats at the hands of Malone in recent years added to the value of the win, but Letterkenny are aware that their successes at home will have to be reflected at away fixtures and on Saturday 22nd they travel to Omagh, adamant to stay near the top of the league.