U18s pipped at the post in an enthrawling League Final

Letterkenny u18s set off, with a huge entourage, on Saturday morning for Ballymoney. There was a quiet confidence in the squad and we definitely felt like we were ready to finish the league off with some silverware.
The game started very well for Letterkenny who brought their game to Ballymoney and executed well from the kickoff. Within the first 20min they scored two great tries through Ewan Douglas and David Henry with David Henry converting twice.
It was from this point that Letterkenny seemed to lose their way and Ballymoney mounted the pressure to finally score and to raise the intensity. The rest of the half was spent fighting waves of big Ballymoney ball carriers who were rewarded at halftime with their second try. Score 12-14.
In the second half it was a huge battle with the score not changing for 15min. Then with some poor defence Ballymoney got a sniff and finally after holding them out on the line they finally got over for their third try to take the score to 17-14.
Finally the Letterkenny boys woke up and through some incredible pressure on the Ballymoney/Ulster scrumhalf by Letterkennys Cian Arenhold we started to get some go forward ball and then once again David Henry stepped in to take control and ran over half the pitch to score in the corner. Score 17-19.
With 5min to play we thought we could hold out long enough to take the title but Ballymoney never gave up and Letterkenny gave away a penalty which was slotted by Ballymoney to end the game heartbreakingly 20-19 to Ballymoney.
There was some really solid play from Cathair McCrory, Finn Duffy, David Henry, Cuan Brophy and Cian Arenhold.
Tackle of the season has to be Callum Orsi who cleaned Joe Boyle and his old man out of it as they stood on the side line. The 2 old fuds never knew what hit them as they got up and walked away trying not to limp!!!!
It just wasn't our day but should not take away from an incredible season so far. This team definitely deserved something for how they have played this whole season but hopefully we can take what we have learned from this final in to the Cup and use it to our advantage.
Man of the match: David Henry

A sincere thank you from the coaches to all the parents and boys for the amazing support as well as Churchill Cabs and Mangan Tours for getting us there and back in good form.