In an evenly matched game, Malone overpowered Letterkenny, and forced the Under 14s, out of the Shield competition.
Although Letterkenny had faced and beaten Malone twice in the 2015 / 2016 season, this was a shield game, so All-bets-were-off.
Letterkenny started well, and had the majority of possession, during the first half. Although they managed to get close to the line, they were unable to score. During two breakaway moments, Malone were able to get around our backline, and score, giving them a half time lead of 12 - 0.
Malone came back stronger, in the second spell. Letterkenny had moments of greatness, but in conditions, that suited strong backline running, we were not able to get around or through Malone's defence. We tried our new " Parky " move, but the opposing number eight, head-high tackled, both our wingers ( Zac Murphy & Alex McDermott ).
Malone scored two further tries, before, in the dying minutes of the match, Dean Callan put something on the scoreboard, for Letterkenny, with a try, from a pick-and-drive, near the try line.
Final Score: Malone 24 Letterkenny 5.
The Letterkenny ( under14s ) team :
1. Luke McKeever
2. Jack Doherty
3. Matthew Duffy
4. Rory O'Connell
5. Bryan McGettigan
6. Ben McGarvey
7. Jack Speer
8. Dean Callan
9. Ben Hopkins
10. Evan Duddy
11. Conor Aitken
12. Peter Sparks
13. Colm Gallagher
14. Alex McDermott
15. Bobby McGettigan
Reserves:
Joe Bond, Emmett Gillespie, Levi Lapsley, Scott Kane, Alex Wylde, Zak Murphy.