Big trip to Tipp for Lynch’s men

The Judges Road men could have and should have won those two games and if they had, they would be now sitting top of AIL Division 3.

The defeat of City of Derry last weekend at home would have been a major shock to rugby followers throughout Ireland as Derry were sitting third in the league and Ards were second from bottom having only won one game.

The other shock result on Saturday in AIL 3 was the comprehensive defeat of league leaders Instonians at Greystones leaving the league title wide open.

Derry’s trip to Tipp this weekend will be made with some interpretation as their record against Nenagh in the past has not been good. Their recent loss of form is worrying as it has been evident not only in defeat but in victory against Wanderers and Navan. Those two teams should have been put to the sword but were allowed to stay in the game on account of lack of direction throughout and questionable commitment and organisation at the breakdown.

Nenagh were promoted to the All Ireland League back in the season 2004-2005 and have played Derry on three occasions. The games between the teams have always been closely contested with Derry loosing away in 2005-2006 by six points and in season 2007-2007 Derry lost at home by just four points.

The only victory for Derry came in the season 2007-2008 when they won away 20-14.

Derry finished bottom of the table that season and were relegated while Nenagh finished in sixth position.

The current form of both teams is quiet similar in games won and lost but the points difference in the league table sees Derry 14 points ahead of Nenagh in ninth position with Derry in fourth place.

The Judges Road men have played eleven games winning seven and loosing four while Nenagh have played ten games and won five drew one and lost four.

The fixture on Saturday once again points to a close encounter with Nenagh fielding a typical big heavy AIL 3 pack on what could be a tacky pitch. Nenagh lost narrowly away to Banbridge on Saturday last by 16pts to 14pts and with Derry’s shock home defeat to Ards this game could go either way.

City of Derry should be the hungrier team with a top four position at stake and promotion to All Ireland League Division 2 the ambition. Nenagh with only five games remaining will be looking to win to get as high a league finishing position as possible. If Derry doesn’t win on Saturday their promotion prospects for this season will probably be dead and buried.

City of Derry Team: Davy Witherow, Chris Shields, Sam McAuley, Stephen Duffy, Sam Duffy, Bob McKillop, Tom Patton, David Houston. Stephen Corr, Stephen Simms, Richard Baird, Chris Cooper, Philip Brady, Stephen Ferguson, Andrew Semple, Richard Peoples, Richard McCarter, David Funston, Ryan Campbell, Simon Logue, William McCleery, David Murdock, Rudi Moore, Josh Lewis, Peter Henderson.