City of Derry back to AIL action

City of Derry return to All Ireland League Division 2A action this Saturday with a home fixture against Dungannon (KO 2.30pm).
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Dec 2014, 07:05 BST
Ballynahinch's Stephen McCauley on the attack is tackled by City of Derry's Andrew Semple during last weekend's Senior Cup tie. Picture by John Dickson/DicksondigitalBallynahinch's Stephen McCauley on the attack is tackled by City of Derry's Andrew Semple during last weekend's Senior Cup tie. Picture by John Dickson/Dicksondigital
Ballynahinch's Stephen McCauley on the attack is tackled by City of Derry's Andrew Semple during last weekend's Senior Cup tie. Picture by John Dickson/Dicksondigital

Mark Nicholl’s side were beaten narrowly by AIL Division 1A side Ballynahinch last Saturday in the Ulster Senior Cup, while Dungannon had a free weekend.

This weekend’s fixture will be a crucial one for both sides as Derry are bottom of the league and Dungannon are just three places ahead of the Judges Road men in the table but only have a one point differential.

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The Co Tyrone Club were relegated from AIL Division 1B last season after just winning twice and drawing once and were a long way behind Blackrock RFC who were also relegated, Derry welcome Blackrock to Judges Road on the Saturday before Christmas for their AIL encounter. Derry played Dungannon twice last season within a week in the Ulster League at Judges Road and then in the Ulster Cup quarter-final at Stevenson Park back in October.

Judges Road was not a happy hunting ground for them then when Derry defeated them 76-0 and scored twelve tries with Man of the Match Andrew Semple getting four.

The teams played one another the following week in a very tight affair with the weather spoiling the game but Derry came out 7-3 winners.

City of Derry will have virtually a full healthy squad to choose from for the first time this season. Chris Barber got game time from the bench last Saturday after a year out injured when he came on for 30 minutes.

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Andrew Semple and Richard McCarter got valuable time together at half back and there was a rhythm and shape to Derry’s play that was missing in earlier defeats.

The Derry pack will be at full strength and with competition for places coaches Nicholl and Beddow will have options for a change.

There should be a big home support at Judges Road on Saturday and a victory will help to get a season back on track.

Related topics:City of Derry