City of Derry slip into danger zone after Larne win at Judges Road

City of Derry 10, Larne RFC 19

City of Derry find themselves right in the middle of the Championship 2 relegation battle after Larne secured victory on what proved a frustrating afternoon fore the locals at Judges Road on Saturday.

It was Derry's fourth successive league defeat either side of the Christmas period and means the 'Green & Black' now sit precariously in eighth placed in the 10 team table, just four points above ninth placed Grosvenor who currently occupy the relegation play-off position. Monaghan are marooned at the bottom some 13 points behind Derry but they do have a game, making next week's critical trip to Rafeenan a must win clash for the local team.

But if they are to rediscover that winning touch, Derry will need to develop a clinical edge after passing up more than enough opportunities and field position to take something from this game. Indeed, had they been able to capitalise on their second half dominance against Larne they may have taken four or even possibly five points from a match.

As it is Derry, whose final three games of the season are against the top three in the division - Limavady, Carrick and Ards, need to arrest their slide down the table sooner rather than later though they'll need to improve after an afternoon during which a malfunctioning line-out, basic handling errors and too many missed first-up tackles cost the home team dearly.

Derry actually started well with Mark Scott - who was superb throughout the 80 odd minutes - winning his own team's kick-off and pushing Larne back, but having then conceded possession it took a superb tackle from David Lapsley to stop Larne's jet heeled winger Charlie Patterson who would prove a constant threat throughout the game.

That was only two minutes in and just three minutes later Derry almost hit the front. Aaron McBride was unlucky to see his long range penalty strike the upright but from the rebound Derry broke with Lapsley making great ground and finding Chris McCann; the winger then unlucky not to find David Graham with a pass that would've sent the pacy centre clear.

Derry were in control at that stage but disaster struck on eight minutes when, with an extra man on his outside, the usually ultra reliable Lapsley spilled a pass which allowed that man Patterson to kick ahead and showcase his remarkable pace. The winger left two covering defenders trailing in his wake before gathering and scoring under the posts. With McBride converting, Larne were seven up.

Both Larne's Thomas Patton and Lapsley were fortunate to escape yellow cards in separate incidents and with the Co. Antrim side now on top, it was little surprise to see the visitors extend their lead just past the half hour mark when a series of poor Derry tackles allowed full-back Johnny Farquhar to go over in at the corner for a 12-0 half-time advantage.

Derry had reduced the deficit within three minutes of the restart through Alex McDonnell's penalty but Larne's response was emphatic as a quick tap penalty inside the Derry ‘22 just six minutes later saw substitute Justin Harkin crash over for a try which McBride again converted for 19-3.

With still half an hour to play Derry had plenty of time to recover and almost got a foothold just short of the hour mark when Lapsley looked set to score. He was stopped inches short but even after the ball was recycled, a further 10 phases in front of the Larne posts still didn't see the home side cross the whitewash.

The chances continued to come and go for Derry who enjoyed 10 minutes of numerical supremacy when Larne winger Robbie Doey was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on but still the Larne defence held out.

With 10 minutes left Derry again looked set to have break through and again it was that man Lapsley doing the probing until a touch judge's flag ended a move that looked certain to finish with a try. Next the excellent Scott looked to be away until Patterson showed his defensive value with a superb try saving tackle.

The Derry pressure eventually told with five minutes left when Alex McDonnell's sublime cross-field kick took out the whole Larne defence and was gathered brilliantly on the run by Owen Hayles who scored. With McDonnell converting a tough kick Derry were back within touching distance of at least a bonus point, but it wasn't to be as Larne held out for a crucial victory.

The home side will point to some dubious decisions that went against them but they still had enough chances and didn't make them count. Larne's more clinical edge proved the difference and means Derry face a huge month with fixtures against Monaghan, Academy and Grosvenor. Those games will be crucial to getting up the table ahead of their tough run in, but their league destiny remains in their own hands.

City of Derry: Tom Cameron, Cathal Cregan, Nathan Campbell, Gary McKinley, Lowry McCollum, Ryan Higgins, Mark Scott, Isaiah Morris, Andrew Millar, Alex McDonnell, Owen Hayles, Josh Cole, David Graham, Christopher McCann, David Lapsley. (Replacements) Reuben Loughery, Matthew McMonagle, Gregg Parkhill.

Larne RFC: James Davison, Thomas Patton, Jack Hill, Barry Pettigrew, Jamie Ross, Steven Dickey, Ryan McKenzie, Ryan McAlister, Carlie Wilson, Aaron McBride, Robbie Doey, Eamon McAnulty, Jonny Dallas, Charlie Patterson, Johnny Farquhar. (Replacements) Justin Harkin, Scott Alexander, Matthew Agnew.

Referee: Alan O'Neill