Skins focus switches to Junior Cup after disappointing defeat to Derry

Enniskillen 1st XV suffered defeat to visitors City of Derry last Saturday in a disappointing end to a game where they almost clinched a win.

There were glimpses of excellent play as always from the young side, but inconsistency and inexperience seemed the factors which prevented them from closing out a game where they often appeared dominant in many aspects.

Skins’ Head Coach Stevie Welsh was disappointed not to see the game out after they had put themselves in a winning position in the game.

“We were very disappointed. It was one of those days when we were not at our best, but we thought we might have enough to get by. To be leading in the 80th minute and then lose – it was tough to take,” he said.

That is the league now at the halfway stage for Skins and Welsh is still seeking consistency from his players.

“We are nowhere near where we want to be. I said at the start of the year that the key would be consistency for us, and we haven’t found that yet,” he added.

The league though takes a back seat this week as Skins’ focus switches back the All Ireland Junior Cup, and a quarter final encounter against Tipperary’s Kilfeacle.

“Hopefully, we can use the hurt from last week’s loss to push us on this week.

“I have spoke to a few boys about them, and they would seem to be a typical Munster side, but we will just worry about oursleves, and try and start well and get a performance.

“We would obviously like to progress in the competition,” said Welsh.

On Saturday, a poor receipt of the kick-off from Skins gave City of Derry a foot in the game, but a scrum penalty from Warrington, Keenan and Graham relieved the pressure.

A fantastic maul on the halfway then set Skins up deep in the Derry half, but malfunctions at the line-out thwarted efforts to convert the score.

Skins had no issue defending the Derry side, and were winning the physical battle, but the former Senior side showed their experience with a clever kicking game to build pressure despite some immense carrying from James Carleton to get Skins out of their own half.

Eventually Derry were awarded a penalty in kicking range and took the lead, 0-3.

Skins were found with no cover for another kick-in behind afterwards, and this led to the first try for the visitors, 0-10.

After the restart a Sam Balfour counterattack, followed by some excellent attacking interplay from Jack Rutledge to Michael Rooney and James Carleton, brought play immediately deep inside the opposition 22 with apparent ease; a series of carries ended with Neil Rutledge finishing the score, 7-10.

Skins struggled to get out of their half after the restart and soon were penalised at the breakdown, allowing Derry to extend their lead, 7-13.

Excellent pressure from the restart from Skins forced a penalty in front of the posts immediately afterwards however, and they kept on Derry’s heels, 10-13.

The visitors responded with a penalty following a scrappy clearout from Skins, leaving it 10-16 at the end of the half.

The second half was more of an arm wrestle exchange in the middle of the pitch, but it was Derry who extended their lead after crossing from Skins in midfield, slotting a kick from the 10-metre line to build their lead, 10-19.

It didn’t help matters for Skins as they lost their scrum half Matthew Dane and forced a reshuffle.

Skins were resolute, however, and pressured their restart ferociously to set up a period of attack in the Derry half that ended with Matty Graham crossing the line after a series of carries, converted by Hill to trail 17-19.

A well-placed kick from Daire Hill in behind showed cleverer play from Skins and their attack continued to be relentless, with carries from Keenan and Rooney bringing play near the line before Hill floated a pass to O’Shea on the wing for another try, an excellent strike from Hill to convert and take the lead, 24-19.

Skins looked like they’d found their gear now and were set to see the game out, but as play continued in the middle of the park the Derry winger picked up a loose ball at the ruck and ran 50 metres for a soft score, levelling things at 24-24.

The offside Derry defence gave Skins the required three-point attempt and Hill dutifully slotted the kick to take a 27-24 lead with eight minutes to go.

Skins looked very much in control, albeit carrying from their own half.

A kick to relieve pressure sent the ball past the opposition 10-metre line but the chasing defence were rounded by the Derry winger and the attack flooded through for a well-worked counter, ending in an agonising final play score and a severe blow to Enniskillen, 27-31.