Inishowen1st xv 19 ---7 Lisburn
September 15th 2007


After the superb pre season efforts of the club, organised by new coach and team manager Kevin Gallagher,it was a confident 1st team that lined out to face their opposition Lisburn on Saturday playing at the superb facilities of Carndonagh Community School. New club Captain Sean Craig had left no stone unturned in ensuring that his squad were ready to face the challanges of the new season and much credit must go to his forsight, organisation and commitment.

The opening spells sawthe home team put the visitors under reasonable pressure, eager to put their newly drilled playing systems into place and at times when these systems were executed properly,their potential were evident.Lisburn at times finding it hard to contain the exhuberent pack and the determined backline. When Inishowen put the ball through the phases, they did look dangerous and they were rewarded by two first half tries courtesy of both vice captain Oliver McConellogue and captain Craig.

With a stout wind blowing across the park,both teams found difficulty in securing their own lineout
ball, Inishowen in particular failing to find their rythm, and this did disrupt the continuity of their performance. It was unfortunate then that the home side futher handicapped themselves with displays of poor discipline, letting Lisburn off the hook far too many times by giving away pointless penalties for infringements and questioning referees decisions.

After the restart, Inishowen were gifted a scoring opportunity by the intelligent work of No.10 Paul McMenamin who charged down a Lisburn clearence kick, regained possesion before popping the ball to supporting player Adrian McLaughlin who duly touched down near the posts.

Inishowen rather lost their shape after this,at times the playing systems totally being disregarded and the ballbeing run too far, perhaps the home side had judged that Lisburn were on the ropesready for the sucker punch but indeed it was the visitors who probably had the better continuity in the latter stages of the game and were well rewarded wi5th a consolation try after a clever kick and chase.

It was a bit of a Jekylland Hide performance by the home side, shapeless and ill disciplined at times but showing a tantalising indication of how good they can be at others. Lisburn proved to be quality opposition and are sure to compete well in the league this season after their promotion last year.