Lynch ready for final push

Having already defeated them in the first round of the All Ireland Junior Cup away, Derry will be confident of getting the all important opening win.

Two weeks later, Derry go to Connacht champions, Monivea, who they have also beaten in the Cup, before a home tie against Munster kingpins, Richmond, on Saturday, April 17.

The winners of the round-robin series gets automatic promotion, while the runners-up will face a relegation/promotion play-off against the second from bottom side in All Ireland League Three.

Derry, relegated from the All Ireland two seasons ago, missed out last year by finishing third and will have learned their lessons from that.

Coach Lynch is expecting a tough round robin competition, but he's expecting big things from his players, despite the fact that they have a few injury doubts.

"We picked up a few injuries but we train tonight (Wednesday) and Friday and we should be ready for the next test against Seapoint on Saturday," he said.

"We have already beaten them in the All Ireland Junior Cup this season down at their place. We know they have improved since then and they will be a formable challenge. The have a strong pack built around their number eight and their backs are quiet useful.

"We will have to be on our game to succeed but the lads are fresh and rearing to get onto the next challenge."

Lynch was also thrilled by his side's performance against Armagh on Monday evening.

"We virtually controlled the game from start to finish and I said to the players before the match that if we believe we are a better team than Armagh we need to prove it on the night.

"We got the perfect foundation from our forwards, the front row were magnificent with Sam McAuley everywhere tackling and making hard yards Sam Duffy was the quiet assassin just doing his job and his scrimmaging was awesome, Chris Shields had his best game ever in a green jersey. We always has the step on Armagh at scrum time and it allowed our back row Karl Gemmell, Stephen Corr and Stephen Simms to completely out play that formable Armagh unit.

"We won important turnover ball when it was needed and our midfield was rock solid in defense with David Funston and Ryan Campbell putting their bodies on the line all night. "