City of Derry aiming to avenge Highfield defeat

Terry McMaster’s side opened up an 11 point lead at the top last week with a bonus point win over Seapoint while Highfield’s game with Rainey was postponed.

“It was a very different performance to what we are used to against Seapoint, the conditions didn’t lend itself to playing attacking rugby the ground was very sticky and heavy,” McMaster said.

“There was a lot of rain in the morning and it made it very difficult but what pleased us most was the fact we didn’t concede any points because we were leaking too many easy points.

“To keep it to zip was really heartening and the boys had to defend for long periods of time. They held onto the ball for a lot of phases but don’t have any width to their game. We had to make 118 tackles and that is double what we normally make, the defence was very pleasing,” he added.

“We had a big of a smash and grab at the end David Graham scored two tries at the end to give us the attack bonus.”

Derry lost in Cork earlier in the season in controversial circumstances.

“We’re still sore about the lost down there, it was the first game I’ve ever been involved in that went on to 4.15 with no major injuries in the second half and they scored in the 12th minute of injury time to win the game,” McMaster said.

“We are relishing the chance to put that right as we have been aggrieved about it ever since. We back ourselves at home and we enjoy playing there - we have turned Judge’s Road into a bit of a fortress this season.

“It’s first versus second, there is an 11 point gap there and potentially this weekend we can stretch that to 15 or 16 points, which physiologically would be massive to us.

“We’re up for it and it won’t take any great pre-match motivational speech from me to get them up for it. Ever since that day at Highfield we’ve been gutted so it’s going to be a big day for us.”

McMaster says he is expecting a typical battle tomorrow against a tough Munster side.

“They are a big Munster side and everybody knows the strength of a big Munster side: if you get into an arm wrestle with them it will be a long day at the office.

“We’ll want to get to the edge and test them there and we’ll be relying on our set piece to give us front foot ball and we’ll rely on Andrew Semple, Richard McCarter, David Funston and Neil Burns to put us into the right areas.

“If we get into the right areas we’re a handful for any side in terms of our collective movement between backs and forwards,” he added.

“Hopefully we’ll get conditions conducive to running rugby and a big crowd at Judge’s Road and the result will have a massive influence on the rest of the season both for them and us.”

McMaster has a full deck to pick from and out half Richard McCarter is likely to start after being rested against Seapoint while Richard Baird is back in contention.

Rainey and Dungannon both need points to pull away from the relegation play-off zone.

The Old Boys are eighth on points different from Barnhall who currently occupy the playoff place.

John Andrews’ side host fourth placed Greystones at Hatrick Park.

Gannon are a point ahead of Barnhall and the two meet at Parsonstown.