City of Derry Rugby Club had to dig deep when required on Saturday last to overcome a tenacious Clonakilty team in their All Ireland League Fixture in West Cork. Derry had to come from behind on three occasions and survive a late desperate onslaught for the last 15 minutes from a team whose performance belied their bottom of the league position. This victory confirms the recent good form of Derry and their fifth win on the bounce that sets things up nicely for a big game at home next Saturday against second placed in the league De Le Salle Palmerstown.
The conditions on Saturday at Vale Park Clonakilty were good weather-wise come game time but incessant rain before the game made for an extremely heavy pitch which was not going to be ideal for Derry’s style of play. The early pressure came from Derry and Stephen Ferguson produced a powerful drive that should have resulted in a score on five minutes when he was just brought down short of the line with his support players being obstructed on the blind side of the referee. Clonakilty played themselves into the game with a typical Munster Rugby performance that complemented the pitch condition and they held onto the ball for long periods and were rewarded with a penalty in front of the post on 20 minutes and full back Matt Kirby converted for a 3pts lead.
Derry replied with a penalty of their own on 23 minutes when Ferguson once again showed power and pace to get in behind the Clon defense and when their backs were caught off side Richard McCarter kicked the penalty to level the scores at 3pts all. McCarter capitalised on more Derry pressure after 30 minutes when he produced an exquisite cross field kick that almost saw Captain Sam McAuley get in for a try but the Clon back line had come off side and McCarter kicked Derry into the lead from the penalty for a 6pts to 3pts lead.
The remainder of the half was spent in Derry territory with the Clon pack exerting sustained pressure which was repelled by some outstanding Derry defense. Stephen Corr and Stephen Ferguson along with David Houston and David Witherow tackled as if their lives depended upon it to keep Clon at bay. Clonakilty prop Ryan Purcell finally got in for an unconverted try in the corner on the stroke of half time to leave his side in front 8pts to 6pts at the break.
Derry started the second half in whirlwind fashion on the attack and when Clonakilty kicked loose ball to Richard McCarter on the half way line on 3 minutes he ran the ball straight back using Simon Logue on the wing as decoy and he was suddenly under the posts for a try without being touched and when he converted himself Derry’s lead was 13pts to 8pts.
Derry were back on the scoreboard 3 minutes later when Chris Shields, Sam McAuley and Sam Duffy helped once again to out scrum the opposition just inside their own half and ball against the head was quickly taken forward by No 8 Stephen Ferguson who found Peter Henderson in support. He released Simon Logue who stepped inside his opposite winger and when he drew the full back David Funston was on hand to score a great team try and an 18pts to 8pts lead.
Derry lost Stephen Corr to the sin bin after 14 minutes and three minutes later sustained Clonakilty pressure allowed winger Kieran Howlin to break through the Derry defense for a deserved try which Matt Kirby converted to leave Derry leading by 18pts to 15pts. Derry were further penalised on 18 minutes when they were reduced to 13 men when Stephen Ferguson was sin binned. Derry had to work hard to keep Clon at bay and David Funston and Ryan Campbell were heroic in defense putting their bodies on the line with support from Simon Logue, William McCleery, Richard McCarter and Andrew Semple. Clonakilty took the lead on 26 minutes when substitute Gary Shannon touched down for a try following good forward play and with Kirby converting Clon lead by 22pts to 18pts.
It was now anyone’s game and when Mc Carter slotted over a penalty after 30 minutes the lead was down to one point at 22pts to 21pts for Clon. Derry were back in the lead on 32 minutes when a loose kick was once again the undoing of Clonakilty. Peter Henderson fielded the ball and again linked with Logue on the left wing who found Houston in support and he released Funston who in turn created the space for Man of the Match Stephen Corr to touch down for and unconverted try and a 26pts to 22pts lead for Derry.
Derry defended their lead with outstanding defense and courageous tackling until the end of the game and ensured that they continue their climb up the All Ireland League Division 2A table.
City of Derry RFC Team V Clonakilty: Chris Shields, Sam McAuley, Sam Duffy, David Houston, David Witherow, Stephen Corr, Johnny Lyons, Stephen Ferguson, Andrew Semple, Richard McCarter, Simon Logue, David Funston, Ryan Campbell, William McCleery, Peter Henderson. Replacements: Cathal Cregan, Gareth Beatty, Stephen Duffy, Adam Parke, Richard Peoples.
