Previews of the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup, Kukri Qualifying League 2 and Kukri Qualifying League 3 fixtures taking place this weekend...
It's a welcome weekend off for Ulster's ten AIL teams with the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup first round taking centre stage this weekend. Ulster are represented by Instonians, Clogher Valley, Bangor and Dromore along with the top four Junior clubs from Leinster, Munster and Connacht in the opening round. Since this tournament was launched in 2005/06 we have had only two Ulster winners with Rainey OB winning in its inaugural season along with City of Derry who defeated Armagh in 2009/10. Coleraine were beaten finalists in 2006/7. Clogher Valley lost 10 - 9 to Enniscorthy in 2013/14 and Bangor lost 55 - 5 to Dundalk in 2014/15. Will we see an Ulster team go one step further and lift the trophy this season.
Of the sixteen teams competing this season Leinster representatives Enniscorthy are strong favourites having lifted the trophy in 2013/14 after defeating Ulster side Clogher Valley 10 - 9. They were defeated by Tullamore in the 2012/13 final and lost at Bangor in the second round last season. They have won their opening three league matches this season and sit top of Junior 1 A. Last season they missed out on winning the league by one point to eventual winners Dundalk.
Clogher Valley lost the final in 2013/14 and have been losing semi finalists in 2012/13 and 2014/15. This is the one trophy missing from their trophy cabinet at the Cran.
Bangor competed in the tournament last season for the first time, reaching the final before losing 55 - 5 to Dundalk.
Ulster Kukri league one champions and Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup holders Instonians take part in the tournament for the first time and face a daunting trip to Limerick to play Newcastle West in their opening match.
Dromore competed in the 2010/11 tournament before losing their second round match. They travel to Enniscorthy where no Ulster side has won at this venue.
Bangor v Clonalkin
Head coach Jason Morgan is looking forward to the visit of Leinster representatives Clondalkin to Upritchard Park on Saturday. Last season it required a last gasp score by Curtis Stewart at Clonmel for the North Down side to progress to the second round before they were overwhelmed in the final by Dundalk. They will be missing key forwards Oran McIImurray, Craig Burton and Darren Kelly through injury. Michael Ferguson continues at loose head prop after the teams late 33 - 29 win at Ballymena in the Junior Cup last weekend. He is joined in the front row by hooker Andrew Jackson and Philip Whyte. The experienced Curtis Stewart will start in the second row alongside the younger brother of Craig Burton - Glenn. Captain Jamie Clegg. David Bradford and Dave Caughey are expected to make up the back row. Both Jason Guthrie and player/coach Jason Morgan will start at 9 and 10. Desi Fusco resumes his centre pairing with Rob Gamble. Davy Charles, Mark Widdowson and Ross McCloskey will complete the three quarters. The bench lineup will be finalised on Thursday night with talented full back Ross McCloskey undergoing a fitness test. The bench is expected to include Peter Nicholl, Paddy Dornan, Freddie Black, Adam McCusker and Mike Weir. First 1st xv manager Ricky Armstrong has stressed there could be a few late changes to the playing squad at training on Thursday night. Clondalkin have won two of their opening three league games this season and competed in last season's AIL Junior Cup before losing their first round match at Clogher Valley 16 - 14.
Clogher Valley v Connemara
It was disappointing to hear that Connacht Junior league champions Connemara have conceded their first round match at Clogher Valley this weekend citing the unavailability of front row forwards. Last season Connemara were drawn away to Clogher Valley in the second round of the competition. They suffered a heavy 43 - 10 defeat.
Instonians v Newcastle West
Head coach William Leacock made thirteen changes for his teams win at Lisburn last Sat in the Junior Cup with former Irish Schools centre Rory Bell returning after eighteen months out with an injury. Back row forwards Michael Blackwood and Matt Dawson both put in strong performances during their ten try - 63 - 15 win. The coach is taking a squad of twenty players to Limerick and brings in Matthew Keane, Alan Whitten, Robbie Kirk, James Le Broy, Joe Fryers, Mark Mairs, Josh Lyness and Lewis McNamara. This is Instonians first experience of the AIL Junior Cup and the players are looking forward to the trip to Limerick on Friday and Saturday. Both the coaches and players have no doubt Newcastle West will be a huge test for the their young squad with quite a few players experiencing AIL competition for the first time. It is an exciting competition for the players and they are looking forward to testing themselves against a Munster team. We are going in against a side who we know very little about. In one sense that's what makes it an exciting prospect.
Last season Newcastle West competed in the AIL Junior Cup before losing their second round match at home to eventual winners Dundalk 24 - 10.
Dromore v Enniscorthy
Head coach Jonny Cullen is facing a selection dilemma at Dromore with several key forwards including Robert Greer, Rory Pepper and Jonny Maguire ruled out through injury with Adam McCregor unavailable. Back row forward Ryan Hughes has been selected for the Ireland Under 19 rugby league team this weekend. They will face a strong Enniscorthy team who have a great pedigree in this competition. Can Dromore become the first Ulster side to defeat Enniscorthy at their home venue in this competition.
ULSTER BANK AIL JUNIOR CUP 1st ROUND
Bangor v Clondalkin RFC
Clogher Valley v Connemara
Clonmel RFC v Ballinasloe RFC
Enniscorthy RFC v Dromore
Monivea v St Senan's
Monkstown v Muskerry
Newcastle West v Instonians
Westport v Ashbourne
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Carrickfergus v Ballymoney
Head coach Neil Hanna has only one selection concern with prop Jonny McIIwaine looking to shake of a foot injury. He knows his team need a big performance to match the physicality that Ballymoney forwards will bring. His team continue to build momentum week by week and this is a huge test for his players - but one his team are looking forward to. He is happy with the teams league position. The main objective each week is to get the win and build on the momentum. He is delighted by the improvement in the performances of all the clubs teams. The club made a decision to build from the bottom up. This was as a result of seeing the success achieved at both Ballynahinch and Omagh rugby clubs.
Ballymoney spokes person Andy Borthwick acknowledges that injuries have had an impact on their team with experienced players and leaders including past Captains Jonny Hanna and James Cleland being unavailable and passing the responsibility on to the younger players in the squad. The coaches and the players know they have to stick to the game plan with much work in training focused on improving their ball retention and defence. The team has been losing games by small margins. It is all about being patient in the right parts of the pitch and taking their opportunities. Carrickfergus will be another test for the players this weekend.
Donaghadee v Academy
The league table places both these two teams in nineth and tenth place. Academy have five points from four games and Donaghadee have four points from two games. A must win game for both sides at Donaldson Park. Five points separate the bottom seven teams in this league with each team capable of defeating each other. Dee Head coach Graham Cloke remains without Club Captain Nigel Barker who is following return to play protocols after a concussion injury. Both Ryan Irvine and Matt Stockton are available for selection this week along with veteran full back Billy Allen. The coach has also added the experienced prop Matt Brown to his playing squad.
Academy coach Gareth Lynn will be looking for a similar result when his team defeated Donaghadee 23 - 10 in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup four weeks ago at the Dee. His depleted squad suffered a 64 - 0 defeat in the Junior Cup at Omagh last Thursday. Academy lost 32 - 10 at home to promotion favourites Carrickfergus two weeks ago and will provide a stern test for the ambitions of the Dee team on Sat.
Lisburn v Larne
On the back of five wins Lisburn were overwhelmed by a strong Instonians team at Blaris last Sat in the Junior Cup. Their first xv manager Michael Knowles acknowledges his team came up against a very impressive Instonians side who outclassed his team. He felt his players didn't help themselves by falling off tackles. They will learn from the experience and are focused on the league game at home to Larne this weekend. Larne have had some impressive results this season and his team are expecting another big test this Sat. The coaches are hoping to welcome back both Jonny Davis and Alan Hushes from injury. Loose forward Chris O'Brian remains on the injured list.
Larne Head coach Ryan Milligan was pleased with how his players fronted up against a very experienced Clogher Valley team in their narrow 20 - 13 defeat at the Glynn last Sat. The coach will finalise his selection on Thursday night and has added Jonny Halls, Rhys Thomas and Ian McIlheron to his squad. He is pleased with the teams start to the season and will take it one game at a time. Should be a cracking game involving two teams who like to play rugby. Who would have believed that this Larne team would be leading Q 2 at this stage of the season. They know they are being hotly pursued by teams including Carrickfergus, Randalstown, Enniskillen and Coleraine who are expected to be the teams pushing for promotion in this league. What a story it would be if Larne can retain their top place with another win at Lisburn on Saturday.
Coleraine v Grosvenor
Crucial game for Coleraine Head coach Richard Boyd and his players. Despite having games in hand on the top sides - Coleraine are ten points behind league leaders Larne.
Grosvenor Head coach Alasdair McKee is well aware that if his players can cut out out the errors they will be competitive in this league despite winning only one of their opening six league games. Most of their games have been tight affairs with the team letting leads slip in games. He is confident the team and players can turn results around.
Carrickfergus v Ballymoney
Donaghadee v Academy
Lisburn v Larne
Coleraine v Grosvenor
Kukri Conference League Two
Enniskillen v Malone seconds
Randalstown v Queens seconds
Ballymena seconds v Banbridge seconds
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Strabane v PSNI
For the rugby enthusiast there is an Ulster A v Leinster A match at Ballynahinch RFC today with a 5 PM kick off. For their second warm up match in preparation for the British & Irish Cup commencing in November - Head coach Alex Codling has included three club players from Ballymena rugby club in his starting xv. They include fullback Rodger McBurney, centre Callum Patterson and second row Matty Rea. The impressive Connor Smyth has been rewarded for his outstanding displays on the Ballymena first xv by being included on the bench. Supporters were disappointed by the performance of the Ulster A side in their 36 - 17 defeat against Connacht Eagles at Deramore two weeks ago. The Ulster A squad are made up of Ulster players allocated to Ballynahinch, Ballymena, Belfast Harlequins and Queens Uni. The inclusion of AIL club players is a welcome and timely boost for the Ulster clubs. Hopefully Head coach Alex Codling will use these fixtures to identify players in Ulster who can still believe there is an opportunity for them to play professional rugby. We witnessed the awarding of training contracts to three Ulster club players including Stephen Mulholland, Mark Best and Jonny Simpson by Ulster rugby this year. It is noticeable how the provinces of Leinster, Munster and Connacht have identified and developed AIL club players for inclusion in both their teams and playing squads in recent seasons.
There are two rearranged AIL fixtures this weekend:
In Div 2 A Cashel play neighbours Nenagh Ormond tonight with a 8pm kick off.
In Div 2 B Sunday's Well play MU Barnhall with a 2.30pm kick off on Saturday.
It's a welcome weekend off for Ulster's ten AIL teams with the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup first round taking centre stage this weekend. Ulster are represented by Instonians, Clogher Valley, Bangor and Dromore along with the top four Junior clubs from Leinster, Munster and Connacht in the opening round. Since this tournament was launched in 2005/06 we have had only two Ulster winners with Rainey OB winning in its inaugural season along with City of Derry who defeated Armagh in 2009/10. Coleraine were beaten finalists in 2006/7. Clogher Valley lost 10 - 9 to Enniscorthy in 2013/14 and Bangor lost 55 - 5 to Dundalk in 2014/15. Will we see an Ulster team go one step further and lift the trophy this season.
Of the sixteen teams competing this season Leinster representatives Enniscorthy are strong favourites having lifted the trophy in 2013/14 after defeating Ulster side Clogher Valley 10 - 9. They were defeated by Tullamore in the 2012/13 final and lost at Bangor in the second round last season. They have won their opening three league matches this season and sit top of Junior 1 A. Last season they missed out on winning the league by one point to eventual winners Dundalk.
Clogher Valley lost the final in 2013/14 and have been losing semi finalists in 2012/13 and 2014/15. This is the one trophy missing from their trophy cabinet at the Cran.
Bangor competed in the tournament last season for the first time, reaching the final before losing 55 - 5 to Dundalk.
Ulster Kukri league one champions and Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup holders Instonians take part in the tournament for the first time and face a daunting trip to Limerick to play Newcastle West in their opening match.
Dromore competed in the 2010/11 tournament before losing their second round match. They travel to Enniscorthy where no Ulster side has won at this venue.
Bangor v Clonalkin
Head coach Jason Morgan is looking forward to the visit of Leinster representatives Clondalkin to Upritchard Park on Saturday. Last season it required a last gasp score by Curtis Stewart at Clonmel for the North Down side to progress to the second round before they were overwhelmed in the final by Dundalk. They will be missing key forwards Oran McIImurray, Craig Burton and Darren Kelly through injury. Michael Ferguson continues at loose head prop after the teams late 33 - 29 win at Ballymena in the Junior Cup last weekend. He is joined in the front row by hooker Andrew Jackson and Philip Whyte. The experienced Curtis Stewart will start in the second row alongside the younger brother of Craig Burton - Glenn. Captain Jamie Clegg. David Bradford and Dave Caughey are expected to make up the back row. Both Jason Guthrie and player/coach Jason Morgan will start at 9 and 10. Desi Fusco resumes his centre pairing with Rob Gamble. Davy Charles, Mark Widdowson and Ross McCloskey will complete the three quarters. The bench lineup will be finalised on Thursday night with talented full back Ross McCloskey undergoing a fitness test. The bench is expected to include Peter Nicholl, Paddy Dornan, Freddie Black, Adam McCusker and Mike Weir. First 1st xv manager Ricky Armstrong has stressed there could be a few late changes to the playing squad at training on Thursday night. Clondalkin have won two of their opening three league games this season and competed in last season's AIL Junior Cup before losing their first round match at Clogher Valley 16 - 14.
Clogher Valley v Connemara
It was disappointing to hear that Connacht Junior league champions Connemara have conceded their first round match at Clogher Valley this weekend citing the unavailability of front row forwards. Last season Connemara were drawn away to Clogher Valley in the second round of the competition. They suffered a heavy 43 - 10 defeat.
Instonians v Newcastle West
Head coach William Leacock made thirteen changes for his teams win at Lisburn last Sat in the Junior Cup with former Irish Schools centre Rory Bell returning after eighteen months out with an injury. Back row forwards Michael Blackwood and Matt Dawson both put in strong performances during their ten try - 63 - 15 win. The coach is taking a squad of twenty players to Limerick and brings in Matthew Keane, Alan Whitten, Robbie Kirk, James Le Broy, Joe Fryers, Mark Mairs, Josh Lyness and Lewis McNamara. This is Instonians first experience of the AIL Junior Cup and the players are looking forward to the trip to Limerick on Friday and Saturday. Both the coaches and players have no doubt Newcastle West will be a huge test for the their young squad with quite a few players experiencing AIL competition for the first time. It is an exciting competition for the players and they are looking forward to testing themselves against a Munster team. We are going in against a side who we know very little about. In one sense that's what makes it an exciting prospect.
Last season Newcastle West competed in the AIL Junior Cup before losing their second round match at home to eventual winners Dundalk 24 - 10.
Dromore v Enniscorthy
Head coach Jonny Cullen is facing a selection dilemma at Dromore with several key forwards including Robert Greer, Rory Pepper and Jonny Maguire ruled out through injury with Adam McCregor unavailable. Back row forward Ryan Hughes has been selected for the Ireland Under 19 rugby league team this weekend. They will face a strong Enniscorthy team who have a great pedigree in this competition. Can Dromore become the first Ulster side to defeat Enniscorthy at their home venue in this competition.
ULSTER BANK AIL JUNIOR CUP 1st ROUND
Bangor v Clondalkin RFC
Clogher Valley v Connemara
Clonmel RFC v Ballinasloe RFC
Enniscorthy RFC v Dromore
Monivea v St Senan's
Monkstown v Muskerry
Newcastle West v Instonians
Westport v Ashbourne
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Carrickfergus v Ballymoney
Head coach Neil Hanna has only one selection concern with prop Jonny McIIwaine looking to shake of a foot injury. He knows his team need a big performance to match the physicality that Ballymoney forwards will bring. His team continue to build momentum week by week and this is a huge test for his players - but one his team are looking forward to. He is happy with the teams league position. The main objective each week is to get the win and build on the momentum. He is delighted by the improvement in the performances of all the clubs teams. The club made a decision to build from the bottom up. This was as a result of seeing the success achieved at both Ballynahinch and Omagh rugby clubs.
Ballymoney spokes person Andy Borthwick acknowledges that injuries have had an impact on their team with experienced players and leaders including past Captains Jonny Hanna and James Cleland being unavailable and passing the responsibility on to the younger players in the squad. The coaches and the players know they have to stick to the game plan with much work in training focused on improving their ball retention and defence. The team has been losing games by small margins. It is all about being patient in the right parts of the pitch and taking their opportunities. Carrickfergus will be another test for the players this weekend.
Donaghadee v Academy
The league table places both these two teams in nineth and tenth place. Academy have five points from four games and Donaghadee have four points from two games. A must win game for both sides at Donaldson Park. Five points separate the bottom seven teams in this league with each team capable of defeating each other. Dee Head coach Graham Cloke remains without Club Captain Nigel Barker who is following return to play protocols after a concussion injury. Both Ryan Irvine and Matt Stockton are available for selection this week along with veteran full back Billy Allen. The coach has also added the experienced prop Matt Brown to his playing squad.
Academy coach Gareth Lynn will be looking for a similar result when his team defeated Donaghadee 23 - 10 in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup four weeks ago at the Dee. His depleted squad suffered a 64 - 0 defeat in the Junior Cup at Omagh last Thursday. Academy lost 32 - 10 at home to promotion favourites Carrickfergus two weeks ago and will provide a stern test for the ambitions of the Dee team on Sat.
Lisburn v Larne
On the back of five wins Lisburn were overwhelmed by a strong Instonians team at Blaris last Sat in the Junior Cup. Their first xv manager Michael Knowles acknowledges his team came up against a very impressive Instonians side who outclassed his team. He felt his players didn't help themselves by falling off tackles. They will learn from the experience and are focused on the league game at home to Larne this weekend. Larne have had some impressive results this season and his team are expecting another big test this Sat. The coaches are hoping to welcome back both Jonny Davis and Alan Hushes from injury. Loose forward Chris O'Brian remains on the injured list.
Larne Head coach Ryan Milligan was pleased with how his players fronted up against a very experienced Clogher Valley team in their narrow 20 - 13 defeat at the Glynn last Sat. The coach will finalise his selection on Thursday night and has added Jonny Halls, Rhys Thomas and Ian McIlheron to his squad. He is pleased with the teams start to the season and will take it one game at a time. Should be a cracking game involving two teams who like to play rugby. Who would have believed that this Larne team would be leading Q 2 at this stage of the season. They know they are being hotly pursued by teams including Carrickfergus, Randalstown, Enniskillen and Coleraine who are expected to be the teams pushing for promotion in this league. What a story it would be if Larne can retain their top place with another win at Lisburn on Saturday.
Coleraine v Grosvenor
Crucial game for Coleraine Head coach Richard Boyd and his players. Despite having games in hand on the top sides - Coleraine are ten points behind league leaders Larne.
Grosvenor Head coach Alasdair McKee is well aware that if his players can cut out out the errors they will be competitive in this league despite winning only one of their opening six league games. Most of their games have been tight affairs with the team letting leads slip in games. He is confident the team and players can turn results around.
Carrickfergus v Ballymoney
Donaghadee v Academy
Lisburn v Larne
Coleraine v Grosvenor
Kukri Conference League Two
Enniskillen v Malone seconds
Randalstown v Queens seconds
Ballymena seconds v Banbridge seconds
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Strabane v PSNI
For the rugby enthusiast there is an Ulster A v Leinster A match at Ballynahinch RFC today with a 5 PM kick off. For their second warm up match in preparation for the British & Irish Cup commencing in November - Head coach Alex Codling has included three club players from Ballymena rugby club in his starting xv. They include fullback Rodger McBurney, centre Callum Patterson and second row Matty Rea. The impressive Connor Smyth has been rewarded for his outstanding displays on the Ballymena first xv by being included on the bench. Supporters were disappointed by the performance of the Ulster A side in their 36 - 17 defeat against Connacht Eagles at Deramore two weeks ago. The Ulster A squad are made up of Ulster players allocated to Ballynahinch, Ballymena, Belfast Harlequins and Queens Uni. The inclusion of AIL club players is a welcome and timely boost for the Ulster clubs. Hopefully Head coach Alex Codling will use these fixtures to identify players in Ulster who can still believe there is an opportunity for them to play professional rugby. We witnessed the awarding of training contracts to three Ulster club players including Stephen Mulholland, Mark Best and Jonny Simpson by Ulster rugby this year. It is noticeable how the provinces of Leinster, Munster and Connacht have identified and developed AIL club players for inclusion in both their teams and playing squads in recent seasons.
There are two rearranged AIL fixtures this weekend:
In Div 2 A Cashel play neighbours Nenagh Ormond tonight with a 8pm kick off.
In Div 2 B Sunday's Well play MU Barnhall with a 2.30pm kick off on Saturday.