City of Derry Rugby Club powered to a defining victory for this current team when they overwhelmed Ballynahinch at Judges Road on Saturday last in the Semi Final of the Ulster Senior Cup. Derry now plays Dungannon in the final at Ravenhill on Thursday 16th December in what will be a repeat encounter of Derry’s only triumph in this competition back in 1999 when they also crowned a great season winning the Ulster Senior League as well.
Ballynahinch travelled to Derry on Saturday unbeaten in all competitions this season. They are sitting proudly on top of All Ireland League Division 2 and rated the best team in Ulster. The expectations of the home supporters before the game would not have been for a home victory considering the reputation of the visitors. Their fears would have been compounded by Ballynahinch’s initial start to the game on Saturday which was a whirlwind one to say the least and sent an immediate wake up call to Derry players and supporters alike.
Click Here for slideshow of 165 pictures from City Of Derry v Hinch RFC Senior Cup Semi-Final – CLICK HERE – pictures courtesy of Bernard for high resolution e: bernarddoherty@hotmail.com – CLICK HERE –
The first play of the game saw Hinch gain possession and four passes later former Dromore player James Thompson had an easy run in for a try converted by Harry McAleese. The Derry team have some resolve as they gathered themselves together and played their way back into the game as they buckled down and went to work. The leadership and experience for Derry came straight from the foundation of the team and the front row of Captain Sam McAuley and his lieutenants Bob McKillop and David Witherow. They never took a backward step and with Philip Brady and Chris Cooper dominating the line outs and the back row of Stephen Simms, Stephen Corr and ETIC Solutions Man of the Match Richard Baird doing all the constructive work in the loose and tight exchanges, Derry slowly but surely clawed themselves back into the game.
Richard Peoples kicked two penalties on five and ten minutes to reduce Ballynahinch’s lead 7pts to 6pts. The game was all ebb and flow and Thompson got in for an unconverted try on twenty five minutes to increase Hinch’s lead to 12pts to 6pts. Derry pulled a move straight form the paddock when Richard Peoples found full back Peter Henderson who ghosted in for a spectacular try beating the last man and with Peoples converting from in front of the posts it was game on and 13pts to 12pts to Derry, a lead they never relinquished. Derry in fact scored twenty nine unanswered points as their confidence levels grew. As the half progressed David Houston replaced Chris Cooper and Tom Patton replaced Stephen Simms both because of injury.
Derry finished the half in dominant mood and with some purpose. Houston won a lineout on thirty five minutes to setup a driving maul which was populated by forwards and backs who blew Ballynahinch over the line and as Sam McAuley left his calling card with an unconverted try a statement of intent was delivered as well from fortress Judges Road. Derry took their 18pts to 12pts lead to the break with the crowd buzzing suitably impressed by their teams display.
The start of the second half said so much about where this Derry team has taken itself to. The crowd witnessed the product of quality coaching. Ballynahinch threw everything at Derry including the kitchen sink as wave after wave of attack was launched inside the home side’s 22 metre line. The boys from the Maiden City repelled the onslaught and would not allow their line to be breached. City of Derry eventually got out of their half on thirteen minutes and when they went to the well Peoples converted a penalty for a 21pts to 12pts lead.
Richard Peoples was having an outstanding game at out half as were centres David Funston and Simon Logue. Peoples made a strong break on twenty two minutes and Tom Patton ran a great support line to allow Peoples to release him to score a converted try for a 28pts to 12pts lead. Stephen Ferguson came on for Phil Brady and his physical presence was soon felt by the Ballynahinch attackers as he and his team mates tackled and squeezed the enthusiasm out of their opponents. Derry brought on Chris Shields and Stephen Duffy to emphasise the quality of their bench.
The final score of the game saw a delightful piece of interplay that involved lively wingers William McCleery and Jack Caithness and resulted in Caithness scoring a converted try leaving the final score 35pts to 12pts to Derry. Former City of Derry President Albert Austin said after the game “this was one of the finest performances ever witnessed form a Derry team. It was made more pleasing when you consider the outstanding performance at Greystones last week. City of Derry with fourteen men for most of that game only conceded a late score to taste defeat for the first time this season. The fact that they were able to deliver a performance of that magnitude today made me and everyone who witnessed it so proud and happy”.
City of Derry Team: : David Witherow, Sam McAuley, Bob McKillop, Chris Cooper, Philip Brady Stephen Corr, Stephen Simms, Richard Baird, Andrew Semple, Richard Peoples, William McCleery, David Funston, Simon Logue, Jack Caithness, Peter Henderson. Replacements: Stephen Duffy, Chris Shields, David Houston, Tom Patton, Stephen Ferguson.
