Lynch's men start Towns Cup defence

Derry have not played any games for over a month when they defeated Armagh at Judges Road by 26 points to 15 points to put themselves right back into the hunt to retain their Qualifying League Division 1 title.

They have had two fruitless journeys to Connaught in the meantime to try and play their outstanding AIB Junior Cup semi-final, both times they were thwarted by the weather. This fixture against Monivea has now been set for Saturday, January 16, at home (KO 2.30pm).

Ballyclare are currently lying in joint second place in the Ulster Qualifying League Division 2 behind Academy but with a game in hand. There is a history between City of Derry and Ballyclare in the Towns Cup especially going back to the Towns Cup Final in 1980.

The Easter Monday fixture at Ravenhill saw Derry totally outplay Ballyclare but could not transfer their superiority into points on the board and the result ended in a 3 points all draw. Ballyclare turned their performance around in the replay and ran our convincing winners by 15 points to 3 points.

City of Derry had consolation for loosing the 1980 Towns Cup Final when they went on that same season to regain their Senior Status after having being relegated two years earlier.

Brian Mooney coached that Derry team which was captained by Ian Crowe from wing forward and also included the current City of Derry President Mark McFeely in the second row and had David Wallace at prop, all three players played for Ulster on a number of occasions.

City of Derry will be keen to retain their Towns Cup title after defeating Ballynahinch by 14 points to 10 points in the final last season. The experience gained by virtually the complete current squad will make Derry the favourites to go all the way again this season.

Bevan Lynch's men will have a late fitness on winger Josh Lewis who twisted an ankle in training last week. Mark O'Connor will also return to the Derry squad after featuring in the Ulster A Squad that defeated Ireland U20's by 18 points to 10 points in Dublin on Sunday last.

The only member of the Derry squad who is definitely out of consideration for selection is long term injury victim Captain Greg Mitchell who still has not returned to training.

City of Derry Coach Bevan Lynch said earlier this week: "We were disappointed at having to travel to Connaught twice before and after Christmas without having to kick a ball due to frozen pitches. The players were keen to get some game time and also to get onto a grass surface after having to train indoors for the last three weeks.

"We hope the weather relents and this Towns Cup fixture will be the perfect preparation prior to our rearranged AIB Cup semi-final at home on Saturday week."