Table toppers Letterkenny U18s remain unbeaten after there trip to
Dromore on Saturday although their winning start to the season has
come to an end. In very wet and windy conditions the game ended in an
8-8 draw with both teams scoring a try and a penalty kick. A morning
of heavy rainfall meant Letterkenny were aware that the pitch was
unlikely to suit there open running style and so a battle of both
packs ensued. With a heavy pitch underfoot out half Peter Scot chose
to kick to move his team forward. Lkenny's early dominance told and
after 15 mins were ahead thanks to the boot of Daniel Faulkner who
scored a penalty. Although they had more of the possession Lkenny
could not add to the scoreboard and were made to pay when Dromore
enjoyed their only spell of superiority just before half time and
crossed the line for a try. In another blow for Letterkenny they lost
first choice hooker Stephen Holmes to injury. 5-3 at the break was
tough on the lads as they had dominated territory and possession.
Early in the second Dromore were to score again with a penalty and
with the injuries mounting this time to replacement hooker Christopher
Green soon to be followed with a nasty head wound by Darragh Toal it
began to look like the game was slipping away from Letterkenny.
Conditions underfoot worsened and made kicking and handling very
difficult as Faulker missed two chances to reduce the deficit.
Although Lettrekenny continued to dominate possession resolute defence
from Dromore and a number of handling errors meant frustration was
growing in the Letterkenny ranks. A quick penalty and an impressive
run by Matthew Faulkner through the defence led to a series of drives
that were held up on the line with the pressure only being relieved
for Dromore with another handling error. With time running out the
team displayed its never say die spirit and with Joseph Dunleavy again
leading the forwards by example and ably supported by Diarmuid
Gallagher and sub Stephen Gibson the Dromore line was finally crossed
by Dunleavy himself. With 4 mins still to play Lkenny went in search
of the winning score from the restart but time would run out. On a day
when conditions dictated so many things on the pitch the pack worked
themselves to a stand still and so the team remain top of the table
with another big test ahead of them next week when Randalstown visit
Dave Gallagher Park.

Letterkenny E Henry, A Boal-Quinn, M Faulkner,D Faulkner O Toal, P
Scott, B Khavia, J Dunleavy, D Toal, M Molloy, J Fogarty, D Gallagher,
D Ward, S Holmes, C Green. Subs K Grant, J Roulston, J Smeaton, W
Douglas S Gibson.