Seconds book Ravenhill place

The Judges Road men went into the semi-final as underdogs but they produced a great 13-10 winning performance and Doherty conceded that his players really gave 100 per cent to secure the memorable win.

“I am really pleased for the players as this is just reward for what they have given on the pitch today,” said Doherty after the game.

“Everything I asked of them before the game they have done. We knew Enniskillen had a big, strong pack and would keep running at us all day. We had to keep our discipline and hold our shape while maintaining good line speed and tackling with commitment. Plus we had to keep 15 men on the pitch for the entire game. This we did and now we can look forward to a massive day for the entire club at Ravenhill on Easter Monday.”

The difference between the sides on Saturday was Derry took the chances when they came their way while Enniskillen, despite the majority of possession, lacked the vision and awareness of space to unlock a team who tackled as if their lives depended upon it.

Derry also had experience in crucial positions with Sam Duffy and skipper Rodney Balfour in the front row and ‘Man of the Match’ Mark Walker running the show from open-side wing forward. Derry also had Adam Parke and Richard Peoples at out-half and first centre who both tackled like wing forwards and kicked beautifully out of hand to capitalise on turn over ball.

The home side started in positive mode against a slight breeze and the early pressure from the home side caught Enniskillen offside on eight minutes. Peoples quickly showed he was on top of his game with a 40 metre penalty from just in from the touchline to send a clear message to Enniskillen as Derry lead by 3-0.

The next 15 minutes belonged to Enniskillen as they found their rhythm with strong scrummaging and good forward caries from Jamie Johnston, Gavin Parke and David Buchannan. Their front row of Felix Quigley, Ryan Cathcart and Jonny Foster were giving as good as they got in a titanic struggle with the experienced Derry front three of Sam Duffy, Ross Harkin and Rodney Balfour. The aggression at the breakdown from Derry was ferocious with Jonny Lyons, James Fawcett, Chris McDonald and Stephen Duffy outstanding.

Derry eventually survived the onslaught and on 30 minutes Phil Duffy at scrum half produced a bit of magic when he took the ball from his own half and went past three players before kicking forward to chase but Enniskillen scrambled the ball into touch 15m out. Derry now consolidated their position in their opponent’s 22 with Parke and Peoples, along with Paddy Blennerhassett and Stephen Brennan, all combining to attack the line.

Derry won a penalty on 35 minutes and kicked for touch 5 metres out. Lyons won the line-out and Balfour, Sam and Stephen Duffy and Fawcett drove in-field and went for the line. Derry knocked on but turned over ball from the Enniskillen scrum under the posts allowing Phil Duffy to find Parke who moved play right and when Peoples released Adam Blair on the wing, he showed great tenacity to beat two covering tackles and touch down in the corner for a memorable try. With Peoples converting from the touchline Derry’s half time lead was 10-0.

Derry got into the Enniskillen half from the kick-off to start the second half and when the ‘Skins’ went offside at the breakdown after three minutes. Peoples gave the home side the perfect start with a 35 metre penalty and a 13-0 lead.

Enniskillen reacted by throwing everything at Derry for the remainder of the game and attacked incessantly. It was a physical battle in the set piece and at the breakdown as both teams gave their all in a thrilling encounter.

Kaine Holden and Buchannan along with Jack Harte, Gavin Parke and Jamie Johnston carried ball at the Derry defence but were unable to breakdown a resolute ‘all hands to the pump’ Derry defensive effort. Enniskillen pressure was eventually rewarded with a penalty for offside on 57 minutes when Ally Duncan kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears to 13-3.

Walker set the standard for the rest of his team with a work rate and commitment that demanded the same from his collegues and he got it unconditionally. David Murdock at full-back had his best game of the season in attack and defence and with Parke and Peoples in front of him nothing got through. Ross Harkin, Lyons, Stephen Duffy and Walker tackled themselves to a stand still winning turnovers when needed while Peoples and Parke did the necessary with relieving kicks to touch which stemmed the Enniskillen momentum repeatedly.

Enniskillen missed a kickable penalty on 62 minutes which frustrated the large support they brought with them. Derry went to the bench as the half progressed to bring on Ryan Spratt, Peter McCartney and Gary Boyle who all contributed with big games.

The Judges Road men survived everything that was thrown at them until the last play of the game. Enniskillen’s outstanding No. 8 Gavin Parke collected the ball just inside the Derry half and broke three tackles in a 40 metre run to score between the posts. With Duncan converting the referee blew the final whistle and Derry had recorded a famous victory by 13-10.

City of Derry Seconds: Sam Duffy, Ross Harkin, Rodney Balfour, James Fawcett, Jonny Lyons, Stephen Duffy, Mark Walker, Chris McDonald, Phil Duffy, Adam Parke, Adam Blair, Richard Peoples, Paddy Blennerhassett, Stephen Brennan, David Murdock, Replacements: Ryan Spratt, Nathan Deeney, Peter McCartney, Gary Boyle, Ronan Flanagan.