CITY OF DERRY: McMaster’s men on the road

City of Derry continue their All Ireland League Division 2B campaign when they face Dungannon, tomorrow (KO 2.30pm).
City of Derry coach Terry McMaster.City of Derry coach Terry McMaster.
City of Derry coach Terry McMaster.

Derry return from a narrow away defeat to Ballynahinch in the Ulster Senior Cup last Saturday when they went down narrowly 33-29 after leading 24 to 8 with less than 20 minutes remaining in the game.

The Judges Road men will be happy to get back to their main focus for the season which currently is remaining unbeaten at the top of AIL 2B.

Derry has played and won four AIL games this season three of which secured a four try winning bonus point as well.

Their last AIL game at home two weeks ago was against Armagh when they secured the winning bonus point with a last play of the game thanks to young winger Ian Bratton’s try to secure a 35-17 win.

That win puts Derry on 19 points five points clear of their nearest rivals Highfield from Cork.

The Stevenson Road men have won two and lost two game so far in the AIL this season and are sixth in the league ten points behind Derry.

Dungannon have won their two home fixtures convincingly enough against Seapoint and Greystones.

Their two away fixture were a narrow loss away to local rivals Armagh on the first day of the season, then last time out they were convincingly disposed of by Highfield.

Derry and Dungannon met in the All Ireland League last season at the beginning of December and the Judges Road men came out on top.

Terry McMaster men’s have had the upper hand in fixture against Dungannon over the last few seasons but home advantage will as in times past make it very difficult to overcome the Co Tyrone men.

The Head Coach will be well aware of any pitfalls when travelling to Stevenson Park and getting sucked into an arm wrestle. He will have his charges focused on what they do best playing with pace and movement from backs and forwards.

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