🤝 City of Derry v Dromore<br>
🗓️ Saturday 30 March, kick-off 5.00pm<br>
🏟️ Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 Junior Cup<br>
📺 Ulster Rugby Live
### Route to the final
Pool Stages
Portadown 13 - 17 Dromore
Banbridge 10 - 34 City of Derry
Grosvenor 26 - 60 Dromore
Queens 2 24 - 38 City of Derry
Ballymena - Dromore (did not happen due to extenuating circumstances)
City of Derry 25 - 25 Cooke
Quarter-finals
City of Derry 41 - 12 Ballymoney
Dromore 57-13 Carrick
Semi-finals
City of Derry 32 - 16 Cooke
Dromore 43 - 33 Ballyclare AET
### Teams
### Captain's Notes
Leading your team to Kingspan Stadium for the Junior Cup final - what emotions are you and the team feeling?
There is a tangible level of excitement throughout the squad, and it is something that has been on all our minds since securing our place in the final. For the majority of the group, it will be the first time they’ve had an opportunity to play at Kingspan Stadium, and I know everyone is looking forward to it.
I think it’s only natural that emotions will build as we get closer to the game, and I’m sure there will be a few nerves, myself included. However, we have plenty of experience and natural leaders throughout the group, which is always a help in these big games.
Looking back at the competition so far, how do you think it has went?
Having the group stages at the beginning of the year was a help to us because since Christmas we have had to deal with injuries and unavailability among some of our key players. Despite this, we managed to put together some outstanding performances in the later stages of the cup despite our form in some of the other competitions dropping off.
We’ve had a tendency to have a slow start or drop off for periods in the game, which you can’t afford to do in a final. In response, we have placed a real emphasis on remaining focused for the full 80 minutes and trusting our structure in both attack and defence. If we can do that, then hopefully the result will look after itself.
You’ve had some pretty convincing wins with high scores throughout the competition, what kind of work has gone in to achieve these results?
We know that our strength has been getting the ball into the wider areas of the pitch and getting our backs involved in the game as much as possible. Throughout the season, we have been working on our structure for the first few phases, then looking to exploit space when we can.
This is built on a lot of unseen work from the forwards ensuring we are effective at ruck time, allowing us to play quick ball. Then it is just about identifying where to attack, being accurate, and getting the ball into the hands of our main threats.
What advice will you be giving to your team on the day?
It is easier said than done, but we just need to treat it like any other game. It’s only natural that there will be some nerves before the match, but if we can take care of our basics and build into the game, it should put us in a position to play the same brand of rugby that has got us this far. My main advice will be to make sure we look after the small details, work hard, and most importantly, enjoy it!
What would it mean to you as a captain, to lift the Ulster Junior Cup in Kingspan Stadium?
I’ve played for City of Derry since leaving school and never even been to a final before, so to win one would be amazing.
Obviously, as captain, lifting the cup would be a huge personal honour, but I feel it would be well-deserved for this group of players. There has been a real team effort throughout the year, along with some considerable personal sacrifices, so it would be great to see that rewarded.
Leading your team to Kingspan Stadium for the Junior Cup final - what emotions are you and the team feeling?
Excitement is the main one, it’s a huge day for the whole club and there’s been a great buzz about the club this week from the minis up right through to the alicadoos in the club. Few nerves as well which is a good thing , shows that it means a huge amount to this group of players but those nerves will turn to focus when we take the pitch on Saturday!
Looking back at the competition so far, you defeated current holders Ballyclare, does that spur you on for the final?
Yeah of course, we will take a lot of confidence from it as they are not only the current holders but the All Ireland Junior Cup champions too. It was a great game of rugby that went all the way to the wire (100 minutes!) and thankfully we came out on top. But we know it’ll count for nothing come kick off on Saturday and we’ll need to get our focus and attitude to the same levels if not higher as we did against Ballyclare, as City Of Derry are a great team and have already got the better of us once this season.
You’ve had some pretty convincing wins with high scores throughout the competition, what kind of work has gone in to achieve these results?
A huge amount of work has went into this season, all the lads have really bought into training, committing to late nights , venue changes , battling awful weather, whatever was thrown our way we have just pitched up and got on with it and thankfully it’s clicked on match days, especially in this competition!
What advice will you be giving to your team on the day?
Just to take it all in, these are the days we play the sport for and they go by in a flash. Regards the actual game it’ll just be to stick to the script and to keep doing what we have been doing all year , as it’s worked. We know there will be times in the game were they are on top, so it’s about sticking together and trusting each other to turn the tide back in our favour.
What would it mean to you as a captain, to lift the Ulster Junior Cup in Kingspan Stadium?
It would mean an awful lot to me if we won it. Like so many others in the team, I’ve been with the club from about 5 years old right through our youth set up and then into the 1st XV. It would be special to bring the trophy back to Barban Hill!