City of Derry men have got the talent

CITY of Derry rugby club go into their first all-Ireland final at any level in Athlone this Saturday knowing they have the talent to bring home the cup.

The local rugby team play Armagh RFC in the final of the All Ireland AIB Junior Cup in a 1pm kick off. They have played Saturday's opponents twice this season, with honours even.

The team's coach Bevan Lynch says solid, disciplined play should see the Judges Road men win.

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But he also wants to see plenty of support for his charges, and hopes to see as many people travel down to cheer on the team as possible.

City of Derry have managed to get themselves to their first ever final this year by beating Seaview away in Dublin, Boyne at home and Monivea at home, and if they play to their strengths, they could make history on Saturday.

Lynch's men play an old nemesis and are taking nothing for granted. They have played Armagh six times in the last two years.

The successful coach says: "We are playing a very familiar opponent. We know them and they know us. We have been involved in some titanic battles in the past."

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He believes the important thing for his team is to concentrate on playing good rugby: "It is all about building the phases - turn the ball over well and make sure we are not overawed by the occasion."

The City of Derry coach says the team need to continue their good form to make history for the club, but that Armagh were familiar with how Derry play.

"Last year we won all cups available to us and we need to keep that good form going. This is one we don't want to let slip. It is a great honour to be involved in an All Ireland Final. This is obviously different. This is the cup final. They (Armagh) know how we attack so it will be difficult to unlock their defence. We have played them six times in the last two years. Some of those games were phenomenal. This one should be equally as tough.

"Their strengths are pretty obvious, it is there for everybody to see. They have a very good lineout; (they are) very strong from set pieces; they have solid backs; their no 10 (Adam Gowing) runs the show; their back three are very dangerous."

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Despite the obvious respect Lynch has for the Armagh men, he believes his own team can take the trophy home.

"We have a good young squad. We are strong all across the board. We have power across the back. We have pace right through number nine to fifteen. We are happy with our squad, with the depth and quality we have," he says.

"We will have to play well to win it. We have to build phases - play good rugby. We are confident and the squad is in good health. We have to play well and do the basics. We have good enough players - we need to stay disciplined and pay attention to basics. If you do that then the chances will come. If we get an opportunity we have to take it. We have to be clinical."

Bevan Lynch also identifies some of the players he expects to help City of Derry do the job: "We have David Witherow up front. He has been a stalwart for the club and a sterling performer. Stephen Corr has been starting to get to top form. And then you have McCarter. He is a talented boy - a matchwinner."

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He wants to see a good contingent travelling from Londonderry to support their team.

"The rugby union is paying a subsidy for a bus. Contact the club, I mean 10 will get you a bus to Athlone and a ticket to watch City of Derry playing in an All Ireland final."

He concludes: "This is the showpiece match."

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