Letterkenny entertained Donegal Town in a pre-season friendly match on Friday night at Dave Gallaher Park. Throughout the friendly warm up fixture both teams made numerous changes and Letterkenny fielded a youthful side with many players from last year’s successful u18 side making their senior rugby debuts.

Letterkenny started brightly with seasoned campaigner Rae Clarke leading the way with some great ball carries. Momentum was continued in the loose by strong running by David McClean and Ben Mortimer in particular. Eoghan O’Riain and Ryan Mortimer formed the half back partnership and looked very comfortable controlling the game from the excellent platform given to them by the forwards.

Letterkenny amassed 35 un-answered points as Captain Terence Gallagher opened the scoring and further tries came at regular intervals. Encouraging to see was the first instinct of the Letterkenny back 3 of Cian Curran, Eoin Friel and Evan Walsh to always counter attack with the ball in hand. Try of the night went to Evan Walsh,making his senior debut, who finished off a sublime backline move to cross the line, something he failed to do all last season for the u18’s.

As the game progressed the Letterkenny scrum became more dominant against their heavier opponents and Donegal Town lineouts were increasingly disrupted by Mortimer and Dermot Dunleavy.

Donegal Town had some periods of pressure and made inroads through their more experienced backline. However, resolute defending inside the 22, most notably by Gary Canning and Craig Heron kept the visitors at bay.

Further tries were scored by Ben Mortimer and David McLean as the visiting side tired towards the end of the game and debutant Caombhin MacLochlainn rounded off the scoring with a fine run from inside the Letterkenny half and break through the Town defence. Out-half Ryan Mortimer converted all five tries to ice the cake.

Overall 1st XV captain Terence Gallagher and Coach Collie Farrell would have been very happy with the attitude and work rate on and off the ball displayed by his players in their first outing of the season.

Pre-season training continues on Tuesday evenings at the club from 6.30pm and Thursdays at Adam Spear’s superb new facility in New Mills, all new and returning players will be made most welcome.