Letterkenny deservedly progressed to the last four of the Gordon West Cup with a controlled performance against Newry at Dave Gallaher Park on Saturday. The performance wasn’t without its blips and the team from Down came back at the home side strongly towards the end of the game but Letterkenny held firm to secure a semi-final place.
Captain, Chris Digimas, chose to play with the elements in the first half and his side started with good intensity counter-rucking to good effect with prop Rae Clarke in particular making a nuisance of himself. The squally conditions led to an error strewn match which suited the home side as Digimas, Clarke and their forward teammates gave their opponents a torrid afternoon at scrum time. An early penalty opportunity for Letterkenny followed some strong forward charges by Craig Heron and Conor Dunleavy and was converted excellently through the posts by out-half Ryan Mortimer.
A succession of penalties given away around the breakdown allowed Newry to kick good field position but the home defence was secure with Ben Mortimer and Gary Canning at the top of the tackle count. From a scruffy line out inside the Letterkenny half Mortimer released Colm McNicholl in some space and the centre made great ground but just couldn’t get the final pass away to his supporting players. The forwards kept the pressure on Newry with some strong running and Ryan Mortimer doubled the score before half-time with another well struck penalty kick.
Newry utilised the wind behind them in the second half well with some judged kicks into the Letterkenny 22 but again the home defence stood up strong and Seanie Henry had an assured game at fullback for his first outing for the first team this season.
The Newry defence was struggling to cope with the forwards charges and play was soon inside the Newry 22. The Letterkenny pressure brought about a penalty 10m from the Newry line and the scrum option was chosen. After a couple of close attempts at driving Newry over the line the referee was forced to award a penalty try for repeated scrum infringements by the travelling side. The try was converted by Mortimer to afford Letterkenny some breathing space.
Brendan McGrory came on to replace Stephen Devine, and Sean Morris to replace Clarke and both replacements contributed well. Newry had travelled well prepared and were not going to concede defeat easily and had a period of pressure inside the Letterkenny 22. The pressure eventually led to one of the Newry flankers barging over wide out for their first try. The try was excellently converted by the Newry out-half to leave a margin of 6 points between the sides.
Letterkenny responded well and took the game back to Newry. Michael Foy was settling in to his new role at first centre with some strong runs.
With the clock running down Newry had another purple patch and were pressing hard. With the final scrum of the day the referee adjudged the Newry front row to have stood up and awarded a penalty to Letterkenny which was kicked to touch to end the game and send Letterkenny into the draw for the semi-finals.
Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8.30pm. All are welcome.