In near perfect conditions Inishowen firsts travelled across County Donegal to play in the Gordon West Cup against a Ballyshannon side full of confidence having won 4 of their first 5 encounters this season.  

Coach Kevin Gallagher was forced into quite a number of changes through injury, sickness and holidays with influential captain Sean Craig being one of those forced onto the side lines. In his absence vice captain Oliver McConlogue assumed the skippers armband and was not found wanting throughout what turned out to be a highly charged contest.

 Both sides started brightly battling manfully for the upper hand, trying to gain terrority and impose their game plan on the other. Inishowen’s forwards slowly began to take control with excellent work in both the lineout and the scrum and this allowed outhalf Finn McCormack to launch some booming kicks deep into the Shannon half. Several ventures into the Shannon half almost resulted in the opening score but for some excellent last ditch defense from the home side. Seamus Hickey looked lively on the left wing and when he was caught just short of the line by the fullback following an excellent break he refused to be outdone and a few minutes later he registered the opening score. Several good phases by forwards and backs took play to within 5mtrs of the line and when the Ballyshannon defense managed to slow the ball down and regroup McCormack placed a perfect cross field kick for Hickey to time brilliantly, out jump and winger and claim an excellent opening try. McCormack converted from the touchline for a 7-0 lead.

 Ballyshannon were determined all afternoon and made the contest all square just on half time although uncharacteristic defensive frailties by Inishowen played an important part in the home sides opening score The winger made good ground, evading numerous tackles before winning a penalty close to the line. The resultant line out was scrappily won by Shannon but their centre Ken Holmes showed all his class from his senior rugby days to cut back into the pack and put the winger over in the over. A good conversion leveled matters up. 

 The second half ebbed and flowed with no side really being able to dominate and Shannon went into a 10-7 lead following a penalty for an offense at the breakdown. The breakdown area proved to be somewhat of an achilles heel for Inishowen with the home side coming out on top in this sector, continually stealing ball or winning penalties from promising Inishowen positions. 

 The defining moment of the match was finished off by captain McConlogue although it was the quintessential team try. Good defense against a Shannon counter attack by Conor Mulkerns and fullback Garvin Murphy turned the home sides fullback over deep in his own half. From this Inishowen won a line out on the 5mtr line and the forwards worked their magic to produce fast, front foot ball for the backs to work with. It was transferred quickly wide and McConlogue sailed over for a well deserved lead. 12-10

 Shannon refused to roll over and showed good character in pushing hard for the winner. They won a 5mtr scrum with 2mins left and went for the kill. Blind side Ed Norris brilliantly repelled the first wave from the number 8 and when the ball went wide to the backs on the other side McConlogue nailed his centre and forced a turnover. Touch was missed though and Inishowen had to defend another onslaught from the seasiders however again Mulkerns and McConlogue refused to be beaten in mid field and the pack arrived to force another turnover. McCormack got the ball of the pitch for a hard fought but deserved win. 

 The pack played their best game to date and provided quality position all afternoon from both scrum and lineout. Mat McCrossan in particular tortured Shannon on their lineout whilst Brian Harkins performance in the loose, covering back and making mid field tackles was impressive. Skipper McConlogue got injured after 2minutes but typically refused to bend in defence and was in the right place to score the winner. 

 With several regulars returning the pressure will be on for places this week for the arrival of Strabane in Carn for a game Inishowen must win to keep any cup aspirations alive.