Greystones survive Derry siege to progress

GREYSTONES 33 CITY OF DERRY 28

Greystones managed to concede four second-half tries and still go through to next Saturday AIB League Division Three decider, as out-half Niall McCarthy kicked ten points in a thrilling win over City of Derry.

‘Stones, the heaviest scorers in the lower reaches, knocked up a 19-0 half time lead at Dr. Hickey Park through tries from former Lansdowne captain Colin McEntee and Nabile McNaughton.

Derry’s heavier pack caved in their opposite numbers for a penalty try nine minutes after the restart, converted by 20-year-old full back Richard McCarter, son of in-coming coach Gerald McCarter, a noted Ulster rugby tactician.

Tries from replacement Peter Hollingsworth, centre Ian Orr and Colin Mitchell gave the visitors hope in the final quarter, where they stretched back to within three points, but a late brace from Stuart O’Connell and Graham Murphy, allied to the astute kicking of 22-year-old McCarthy, saw the Wicklow men hold on.

Scorers: Greystones: Colin McEntee, Nabile McNaughton, Stuart O’Connell, Graham Murphy; Cons: Niall McCarthy 2; Pens: Niall McCarthy 3

Derry: Penalty try, Peter Hollingsworth, Ian Orr, Colin Mitchell; Cons: Richard McCarter 4