Derry aim to keepunbeaten run going

The North West men are still unbeaten in the AIL having won four of their fixtures and drawn one and they have collected three bonus point as well.

Derry are top of the league two points ahead of local Ulster rivals Ballymena, who in fact will be their next home game in the AIL on Saturday, January 11, 2014.

Bruff are famous in rugby terms for producing the Hayes brothers John, who was a Munster and Ireland legend and Tom who was the ‘go to’ man for Exeter in their quest for Premiership rugby as he captained them and became their spiritual leader until he had to retire through injury last year.

The club were always known as a feeder club for Shannon in their Junior days until they went senior themselves via winning the Round Robin Series in 2003-2004 when they got the better of Coleraine, Monivea and Seapoint.

The Limerick men’s rise to the top was rapid as they won AIL Division 3 in season 2007-2008 and went to AIL Division 1B in 2009-2010. They unfortunately were relegated last season and are yet to taste victory in AIL 2A.

City of Derry’s record against Bruff over the years has not been good having played each other four times with the Limerick men winning three and Derry once down there in season 2004-2005.

Mark Nicholl’s men will have to travel with caution to Munster this weekend because their unbeaten AIL season to date will count for nothing down there as it will be used as a motivation to burst a northern bubble.