" League leaders, Letterkenny," ( try saying that five times, in a row ), faced an unexpected match, against "struggling at the bottom of the league", Inishowen. The first match, of the new year, didn't really test Letterkenny, in the way it was hoped, but the team went out, played rugby, and blew some of the Christmas excess away.

Inishowen had eleven players, so were 'loaned' four players from Letterkenny. Right from the start, Letterkenny dominated, maintaining possession of the ball, throughout the first half. Letterkenny ran in nine tries, one after another. Touching down, were Bryan McGettigan, Lorcan Sweeney, Ewan Douglas, Conor Mangan, Kaymin Shortt ( twice ) and Rory O'Connell ( three times ). All nine conversions went over the posts - five from Kaymin, four from Rory.

Half time: Letterkenny 63 - Inishowen 0

In the second half, Letterkenny emptied the bench, and used the remainder of our squad, to give everyone an opportunity to impress. Letterkenny struggled to maintain the same dominance, that they held in the first 30 minutes. Inishowen's left winger ( David Henry - a Letterkenny player, loaned to Inishowen, for the second half of the match ) crossed the try line, to get some points on the board, for Inishowen. Much more of the match, was played in the Inishowen scoring half, and eventually Inishowen crossed the line for a second time, before the final whistle went.

Full time: Letterkenny 63 - Inishowen 12

Letterkenny U14s ( starting ) XV :

1 Jack Gibbons
2 Eoin Parkinson
3 Jack Doherty
4 Jynaid Rayes
5 Conor Mangan
6 Lorcan Sweeney
7 Jack Speer ( Captain )
8 Oisin Farrell
9 Ben Hopkins
10 Kaymin Shortt
11 David Henry
12 Peter Sparks
13 Rory O'Connell
14 Ewan Douglas
15 Bryan McGettigan

Reserves :
Forwards - Joe Bond, Gaetano Cinquenani, Daithi Doherty Vago, Aaron Fitzsimmons, Emmett Gillespie, Levi Lapsey, Isaac Mcllwaine, Matthew Murray,
Backs - Cuan Brophy, Alex Wylde, Fionn McMonagle, Eoin Harris, Alex McDermott, Callum Orsi, Dylan Coyle.

Thanks to the coaches, the referee, supporters, parents and the Inishowen RFC.