The rain poured. The ground was waterlogged.
Letterkenny U14s had come a long way, in the last seven months. The mood was buoyant and anything was possible.

The North West had endured heavy rain, on Friday and throughout the night. Saturday morning, the pitch was waterlogged.
An army of volunteers were on the field, two hours before kickoff, opening the soil to encourage the water to drain.

The Letterkenny squad arrived on time. They waited, they warmed up, they prepared for battle.
Virginia ( their semi final opponents ), arrived.
Letterkenny had won the Ulster Carpets North League, while Virginia had won the Ulsters Carpets South League. The winners would progress to the final, to try to become Ulster League Champions.

Virginia kicked off, to start the first half.
Letterkenny had the best, of the first fifteen minutes. They had good possession, and were able to make, most of the play in their scoring half. Conditions were muddy, the ball was slippery, but it wasn't a total "mud-bath" and good rugby could be played. Virginian defence was robust & strong. When Virginia came at Letterkenny, our defence held, too.
As the game worn on, we could tell the teams were evenly matched, and there wasn't going to be much, between them.
When Letterkenny received a penalty, in our half, we opted to kick for the posts. We missed our first attempt, but got a second chance, seven minutes later. This time, flyhalf, Kaymin Shortt was able to slot the ball, between the posts, for three points.

Half Time: Letterkenny 3 - Virginia 0

Letterkenny kicked off, to restart the match.
( Letterkenny made one change, at the break. Right wing, Ewan Douglas, came off and Eoin Harris came on. )
Letterkenny continued to dominate the game, but were unable to breach the Virginian line. Letterkenny spread the ball, through the backline and put together good runs, but our speedsters on the wings ( Tiernan McFadden and Eoin Harris ), were caught and grounded each time. We spread the ball, but Virginian backs were up quick, and shut Letterkenny down.
Midway through the second half, Virginia put together an attack, and scored a try in the corner. They were unable to convert it, but it put Virginia two points ahead.
Letterkenny were "under-the-cosh", the pressure was on.

In the last ten minutes, Letterkenny, had all the attack and most of the possession. Anytime Virginia got the ball, they fired it down the field, and spoilt Letterkenny's attacks.
Letterkenny were awarded a penalty. We kicked for the three points, but were unsuccessful.
In the dying minutes, we were awarded another penalty, and again, we were unsuccessful.
Right to the bitter end, Letterkenny were running with the ball towards the tryline, when the referee ruled that our runner, ( Kaymin Shortt ), had stepped into touch, and he blew the final whistle.

Full Time: Letterkenny 3 - Virginia 5

It ends.
Letterkenny U14 finally faced defeat.
The team did everything they could.
The two sides were very close, but Virginia crossed the whitewash and Letterkenny didn't.

Lettekenny U14s - We are proud of you, all.

Letterkenny Under 14s ( starting ) XV :

1 Jack Gibbons
2 Eoin Parkinson
3 Dan Geoghegan
4 Jynaid Rayes
5 Conor Mangan
6 Issas Mcllwaine
7 Jack Speer ( Captain )
9 Ben Hopkins
10 Kaymin Shortt
11 Tiernan McFadden
12 Peter Sparks
13 Rory O'Connell
14 Ewan Douglas
15 Bryan McGettigan

Subs:
Forwards: Gaetano Cinquenani, Daithi Doherty-Vago, Jack Doherty, Matthew Murray, Lorcan Sweeney.
Backs: David Sparks, Eoin Harris.

Team Reserves: David Henry, Cuan Brophy, Matthew Duffy, Aaron Fitzsimmons, Emmet Gillespie, Ryan Hegarty, Levi Lapsey, Alex McDermott, Zak Murphy, Alex Wylde, Craig Devenney, David Boakye.

Thanks to the coaches, the referee, the supporters and the Virginia Rugby Football Club.