Inishowen welcomed Belfast side Academy to Carndonagh on Saturday for a top of the table clash against the league leaders. A tight physical match was predicted and the match lived up to expectations. The morning rain subsided in the early afternoon to clear for a dry afternoon with perfect conditions for rugby.
The game started evenly with both teams getting plenty of possession. Inishowen however were dealt an early blow when after ten minutes centre Shaun Craig was rendered immobile after suffering a knee injury. Despite the injury Craig limped on, however with a man down the Inishowen back line who had proved so potent in the league so far this year were to take a back seat in the match and they looked towards the front eight to stand up and be counted and they didn’t disappoint.
The first score of the match came after twenty minutes when out half Finn McCormack slotted home a penalty from long range. And shortly afterwards the first try was scored. A line out just inside the Academy half was held and secured by second row Paul McCarroll and a well organised maul was formed. The Inishowen pack then marched almost 30 metres untouched with flanker Gary McEleney in control of the ball at the back before Neil Gillespie touched down to the delight of the home support. An excellent forwards try. McCormack converted and despite a fairly even first half Inishowen lead 10 – 0 at the half time break.
The second half started with Inishowen piling on the pressure on the Academy defence and moments later Finn McCormack increased the Inishowen lead with a well taken drop goal from outside the Academy 22. Academy piled on the pressure mid way through the second half and after several good phases of play they touch down in the corner and scored their first try of the match, the Academy out half converted a penalty moments before and the game was for the taking coming into the last ten minutes, Inishowen holding a narrow lead, 13-8. However this spell of pressure took its toll on the Academy pack and coming into the final stages of the pack they began to tire. The Inishowen pack began to dominate especially in the scrum which had been evenly matched all game and the pendulum began to swing back in Inishowen’s favour. After some good forwards play in the Academy half a penalty was awarded to Inishowen and McCormack converted to stretch the home teams lead.
With Academy now needing two scores to win they threw everything at Inishowen who soaked up the pressure and drove they visitors back time and time again with great defence and with the long range boot of McCormack. With minutes left in the game, on the Academy line a scrum was awarded to the visitors after an Inishowen knock on. The Inishowen pack sensing the visitors tiredness won the scrum against the head, the Academy scrum half could not control the ball and this gave flanker Gary McEleney the opportunity to break from the scrum and dive on the loose ball to touch down under the sticks, much to the delight of the Inishowen team and of the large home support.
McCormack converted and the fulltime whistle was blown, Inishowen the victors. An excellent victory against a strong and well organised Academy side. The Inishowen front eight were outstanding throughout the match, especially Anthony Boyle, Gary McElhinney and Brian McNally who were solid in defence throughout the match.
