Greystones v City of Derry
Dr. Hickey Park
City of Derry will have former Ireland out-half Derek McAleese for the visit to Greystones in the AIB League Division Three’s last four.
39-year-old McAleese has been drafted in by retiring Derry coach Terry McMaster as one of the three players available to senior clubs in a season as a dual status junior player. McAleese will add some steel to the young visiting side who defeated the Wicklow men 30-6 at Judge’s Road last month. Regular centre Steven Smyth has been released by Limavady Cricket club to fill the number 9 jersey.
Seven wins and a draw at home have seen Derry into the play-offs, but Dr. Hickey Park will be a daunting venue, with Greystones one of the leading try-scoring sides in the country.
The Greystones forward unit includes Leinster replacement Rob Connolly in the back row, and with Steve Scanlon and out-half MJ Smith behind a powerful scrum and defensive unit, a home win looks the obvious choice.
McMaster is to be replaced by Gerald McCarter at the end of the season proper.
Highfield v Ards
Woodleigh Park
Ards’ bid to make the AIB League Division Three final an all-Ulster affair will be decided tomorrow at Woodleigh Park, as Cork side Highfield entertain attempt to repeat their 21-10 win over the northerners from earlier in the season.
Highfield had inside centre Wayne Jarvis to thank last time out as his three penalties helped them edge Corinthians 26-17. The vital cogs of their side – including out-half Gethin Worgan, scrum half Billy Quinlan and impressive open side Rory Cogan – have helped Highfield to an unbeaten run of five games that stretches back to January.
Ards, who stuttered to the season’s end with three wins and three losses, are without prop Jeff Garrett and have Palmer Eccles deputising. Gary Presho partnering Davy Tweed in the second row is the only other change from the side that lost 11-0 to Instonians a fortnight ago.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
