Monivea fail to build on good start

CITY of Derry put an end to this AIB Junior Cup saga on Saturday in fairly comprehensive fashion with two tries in the final quarter of the contest to crush Monivea's dream of a place in a national final for the first time.

When these sides met before kick off at the Castle Grounds way back on December 19, few could have envisaged that it would have taken four weeks for the contest to take place.

Having twice been frozen off in Galway, under competition rules the tie reverted to the Ulster club, yet that didn't stop a huge load of Monivea faithful making the eight hour round trip on Saturday to cheer on their local heroes.

Alas, Monivea failed to deliver their best in this contest. The home side deserved their win but the Connacht men will look back on this contest with much regret. Had they capitlised on first half superiority they could have won this contest.

They led 11-7 at the break and probably should have led by more. In the second half, they had chances also but were not nearly as clinical as their illustrious opponents who were lethal in the last half hour when scoring 19 unanswered points.

Monivea started Saturday's tussle by the River Foyle in good style. They notched up three points in the third minute through the boot of Ger O'Connor after Shane McHugh had stolen in the lineout and Fergus Farrell had charged forward forcing the penalty.

Their lead was doubled on 22 minutes with influential loose head prop Cathal Divilly the catalyst. His take from a Garryowen in midfield would make any full back proud but it was his break and deft off load in the tackle that set his side on their way. A subsequent half break from Ger O'Connor led to penalty number two and he obliged once more.

A change in momentum followed that score as City of Derry gradually edged their way into the contest. Referee Eamonn Kenny had some influence on the home side's opening try with a questionable penalty on half way but he was spot on in penalising the visitors for back chat and that was key to the score.

The conversion left City of Derry 7-6 in front but with the first half seemingly done and dusted, Monivea conjured up a huge score. Full back Rory O'Connor made the first break, he found Ger O'Connor who kicked to the corner. Derry winger Rudi Moore really should have just cleared the bouncing balll to touch, but he hesitated and the advancing Pat Fitzmaurice scooped up possession and scampered home to put his side 11-7 ahead.

After half time, Monivea had a golden opportunity to go further ahead after Rory O'Connor collected possession deep in his own half and made a mesmerizing break in midfield sprinting all of 60 metres and being hauled down inches from the line. However, the chance was wasted when patience was needed.

That proved to be a key turning point. City of Derry regained the lead three minutes later. They shunned three points and opted to go to the corner on a penalty and while Monivea seemed to have repelled them brilliantly at first quick attack out wide led to the try for Rudi Moore who made amends for his first half mistake.

Derry controlled the contest from there as poor tackling in the backline and an attack characterized by far too many handling errors proved Monivea's undoing. Both sides were rusty after the long lay off, but City of Derry had a powerful maul and a more consistent lineout for a platform and they turned out to be crucial in the end.