Nicholl side play final AIL home game of the season

City of Derry entertain Seapoint, in their last All Ireland League Division 2A fixture of the season at Judges Road on Saturday (KO 2.30pm).
City of Derry full-back Andrew Semple holds off this tackle from Cashel's Conor Quinlan. INLS1114-130KMCity of Derry full-back Andrew Semple holds off this tackle from Cashel's Conor Quinlan. INLS1114-130KM
City of Derry full-back Andrew Semple holds off this tackle from Cashel's Conor Quinlan. INLS1114-130KM

Both teams had different results last weekend with City of Derry producing one of their better performances of the season at home when they defeated Cashel comprehensively 32-10.

Derry scored five tries in a bonus point win while Seapoint lost at home to UCC, but in the process they got a vital loosing bonus point.

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The Judges Road men don’t have a fantastic record against Seapoint since they first met in the 2009-10 season.

They have played one another five times with the Dubliners victorious on three occasions and Derry winning twice.

The first time Derry beat Seapoint 19-14 was in their inaugural meeting in the All Ireland Junior Cup first round.

The Judges Road side were also victorious at Kilbogget Park last season when they outscored Seapoint by six tries to three where Chris Barber gave a Man of the Match performance from full back.

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Seapoint defeated Derry 17-9 at the end of the season 2009-2010 in the first Round Robin fixture at Judges Road, but both teams went on to get promotion to AIL Division 3.

The Dubliner defeated Derry again in AIL 3 the following season. Derry’s consolation that season was piping Seapoint to claim the AIL Division 3 League Title on points difference with both team promoted to AIL Division 2A.

Seapoint once again defeated City of Derry this time winning 29-20 in the 2011-12 season, at Judges Road, in the AIL Division 2A.

City of Derry coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair will be hoping their charges replicate their performance of last weekend when their commitment, support play and accuracy of passing at pace overwhelmed a well organised and hard working Cashel side.

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The Judges Road out-fit will be looking for a bonus point victory on Saturday to carry to their last AIL game of the season away to UCC when they hope that by then they will still be in the hunt for a top two finish in the league and promotion.

Both teams have played thirteen league games this season with Derry winning eight drawing one and loosing four and are currently joint third in the league.

Seapoint have won four games drawing one and loosing eight and are in danger of being dragged into a relegation dogfight.

They will be coming to Judges Road on Saturday looking for victory to stave off relegation and with Derry having to win and score four or more tries to keep their dreams of promotion alive it should make for a terrific game of rugby with a large crowd.

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City of Derry Squad: Semple, Campbell, Lewis, I Bratton, Logue, Funston, Burns, A Bratton, Hargan, McCleery, Robinson, Caithness, Beatty, Jefferson, Shields, Cregan, McAuley, D Ferguson, Duffy, Houston, Cooper, McKillop, Corr, Dickey, Baird, S Ferguson.

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