A preview of the club rugby action in the Ulster Bank League, Ulster Senior League, All Ireland Junior Cup, Kukri Qualifying Leagues and Kukri Conference Leagues taking place this weekend...
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
City of Derry v Rainey OB
Head coach Terry McMaster is hoping it is third time lucky as his table-topping City of Derry side and Rainey OB attempt to play the Ulster Bank League game originally arranged for two weeks ago, and again last weekend, the weather responsible for the protracted delay. McMaster retains the same squad selected for duty last week at Hattricks, and that means Neil Burns starts at outhalf. Rainey Head coach John Andrews also names retains the same panel as his team, currently in sixth spot, pushes for a top four finish in the second half of the season. He has placed his faith in the younger members of his squad who helped defeat Highfield 18 - 13 in their last AIL outing on the last Saturday of November.
SONI ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE SECTION TWO
Banbridge v Dungannon
Banbridge Head Coach Daniel Soper retains 17 of the squad which defeated Queen's University by an emphatic 38-7 scoreline last weekend. Aware that his players have two weeks off before the UBL restarts on the second Saturday in January with an away trip to Cashel he is anxious to keep everyone playing. The title race in Division 2A is very close with a number of sides potential end-of-season winners, so Soper’s focus is to improve his team’s form away from home.
Andrew Hughes, top-of-the-table Dungannon’s Head Coach, isn’t in a position to rest any players as the club is scheduled to field four sides this weekend, so he will select his strongest line-up. With no UBL games until the 9th January he believes players will have every opportunity to rest and recover after this weekend.
It was a frustrating, confusing day last Saturday after a long trek to Cork when the Tyrone team’s game with Sunday’s Well was switched from Irish Independent Park Musgrave Park by the Munster Branch to what is could only be described as a park pitch. It was not a venue which could be considered acceptable for an AIL match.
But the Stevenson Park coach was full of praise for the performance delivered by both teams in the circumstances, but disappointed his team did not win the match. They turned round at half-time tied at 6-6, having chosen to play into the wet and windy conditions for the first forty minutes.
Unfortunately this side decision proved rather naïve, Well’s second-half efforts earning a 9-6 win. It was a match Hughes felt his team should have won, and believes the visit to Banbridge is a good opportunity for the players to meet an in-form side without any pressure. Skipper James McMahon, Mark Riddell, James Bates, Peter Gilkinson are all unavailable for selection, but David Leyburn will get his first start since returning from injury.
JJ Kane, Matthew Calvert and Bryan Davidson are added to the matchday squad travelling to Rifle Park.
Queen’s University v Belfast Harlequins
While the students were convincingly beaten by Banbridge in back-to-back AIL games, Belfast Harlequins are still searching for that vital first Ulster Bank League win. It means that both playing squads will look at this fixture to restore confidence before they each resume their UBL programme in January. Queen’s coach Bob Young and counterpart Adam Larkin will be missing players due to Ulster and Ireland age-level representative calls.
But there is an abundance of talent on the fringes of both squads, young players who can use the fixture to push for a starting First Fifteen place.
ULSTER BANK ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR CUP SEMI FINALS
Bangor v Enniscorthy
After their Junior Cup win on Tuesday night Bangor is expected to make several changes to the starting line-up for the trip to Enniscorthy. Darren Kelly, Michael Ferguson, player-coach Jason Morgan, and Desi Fusco are being rested, and a late decision will be made on whether to hold back prop Philip Whyte. Morgan is moving Ross McCloskey to out-half with Adam McCusker coming in at fullback, with Michael Weir replacing Desi Fusco in the centre. Davy Caughey is expected to partner Curtis Stewart in the second row, with skipper Jamie Clegg joining David Bradford and Craig Burton in the back row. There are several front row options available, with James Leary and Paddy Dornan added to the squad which includes Orran McIImurray and Andrew Jackson.
Bangor faces a crucial Kukri Qualifying One match with Clogher Valley at Uprichard Park on Boxing Day as the team maintains its pursuit of the league title. It’s a case of the coaches managing the players through these two important end-of-year fixtures. In Bangor’s case, as it also targets the Powerade Towns Cup, success is very welcome but it also brings it problems in negotiating a congested fixture schedule.
Instonians v Clogher Valley
The games keep on coming Instonians Head coach William Leacock’s players, who have had little time to recover after narrowly losing to Bangor 7-5 in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup final on Tuesday night. The side faces Clogher Valley at Shaw's Bridge on Saturday (4.15 pm) in the semi-final of the All Ireland Junior Cup. Leacock will rotate his starting Fifteen for after Tuesday’s gruelling game at the Kingspan. Mike Blackwood, Lewis McNamara, Zac Finlay, Josh Lewis and Fraser Wright will all start against Clogher Valley.
Having seven bench replacements has been a ‘plus’ given the efforts in midweek when the game with Bangor might have gone either way. The Instonians coach felt Bangor deserved to win on the balance of play but was extremely proud of the heart and character shown by his players. The weather dictated the way the game was played and Bangor adapted better than his team, while two yellow cards didn't help and took their toll on the Belfast club. The match did demonstrate the team spirit within the squad, one Leacock really enjoys working with, and he’s convinced each player will learn and improve from the experience at the Kingspan.
Meanwhile, Clogher Valley coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black will be looking to their players to grab the opportunity to reach a second All-Ireland Junior Cup Final appearance. Injuries continue to rule out P.C. Falconer and Clive Donaldson, and the 22-man panel includes seven replacements who are very much a mixture of experience and youth, fourteen of the players having featured in the club’s last four All-Ireland Junior Cup semi-final appearances.
Philip Moore, Kyle Cobane and Philip Hopper make up the front row with the dynamic pairing of Michael Treanor and Eugene McKenna continue in the second row. Captain David Sharkey, Barry Jon Wilson and Ryan Wilson make up an experienced back row. Two key players expected to have a major impact on the outcome of the game with Instonians are half-backs Aaron Best and Philip Holme. David Speers and Allister Trenier continue in the centre with Andy Breen and Fleming Agnew on the wings, and Adam Baxter at fullback. The bench is made up with Mark Ellis, Neil Trotter, Rodney Bennett, Richard Primrose, Keith Todd, Matthew Keyes and Nathan Orr.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE ONE
Ards v CIYMS
Ards Director of Rugby Stephen Nutt was disappointed the game at Dromore was postponed last week as his players had prepared well during the week and we're looking forward to the match. This Saturday Nathan Graham remains on the injured list, but Head Coach David Irwin selecting from a virtually full-strength squad with Chris McClure available again after injury.
CIYMS Head Coach Gareth Fry was disappointed by the performance of his team in their 20-0 home defeat against Cooke two weeks ago, the visitors adapting better to the conditions at Belmont and fully deserved the win. Injuries will continue to impact on selection but the squad gets stronger by the week. Fry makes a number of positional changes for the match at Ards and is expecting a reaction from the players, acknowledging that the outcome is huge for both teams, with his side in tenth place, just below the hosts.
Cooke v Dromore
Much of the the focus may be on the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup semi-final match at Shaw’s Bridge this weekend, but for Cooke and Dromore who play in the curtain-raiser at 2.30om, it’s all about the league points.
Both teams recorded impressive wins in their last league outings against CIYMS and Portadown respectively, and Cooke and Dromore are now eighth and seventh in the table.
Cooke Head Coach Colin Atkinson was happy with the performance against CIYMS two weeks ago, but disappointed the team did not push on and secure the bonus point. So the match with Dromore is another crucial game for his team. Philip Cartmill is unavailable due to school teaching commitments and will be replaced by Ian Anderson, with Toby Mannus donning the captain’s armband. Otherwise the team is along the usual lines, with one of the McClelland brothers coming in to complete the squad.
Dromore’s Head Coach Jonny Cullen was amongst many disappointed with the postponement of the match against Ards last week, the players eager to build momentum on the back of their win over Portadown. Training has been good this week and the players are ‘biting at the bit’ for the game at Cooke. Both Robert Greer and Ross Bingham are added to the matchday squad, but Stuart Russell is unavailable.
KUKRI CONFERNECE LEAGUE ONE
Ballyclare v Ballynahinch 2nd XV
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE TWO
Carrickfergus v Randalstown
Both Ross Crymble and Adam Gibney are carrying knocks from Carrick's recent win over Coleraine, but Head Coach Neil Hanna welcomes back the experienced tight-head prop Michael Smylie who, with Brian Alexander, adds even more competition in the pack for the key game at home to Randalstown. Hanna is expecting another tough match with the County Antrim rivals at the Tom Simms Memorial Grounds, with his team currently in pole position, the visitors anxious to improve on its their fourth-place standing.
Randalstown Head coach Gary Longwell was very honest about his team’s home defeat against Academy last Saturday, admitting his players were not playing to their potential as evidenced by successive defeats against Academy and Larne. Carrick will be strong favourites for the match on Saturday, they recruited well this season and are the standout team in the league, but Randalstown has set itself ambitious targets this season and will not want to complete a hat-trick of recent reverses.
Donaghadee v Enniskillen
This is a match very important to both teams with Enniskillen looking to bounce back from the defeat at Academy to maintain the promotion push, and ‘Dee’ still struggling following relegation last season. Enniskillen’s Head Coach Norman Richmond knows the importance of this contest at Donaldson Park, though he’ll be missing Mark O'Shea and Jamie Johnston for this weekend, and centre Nathan Richmond who has been ruled out for the season with a back injury. Richard Beatty returns to the front row to replace the injured Gavin Warrington, with Jack Harte coming into the back row. Chris McVitty steps in for O'Shea with Adam Lendrum continuing at out half. ‘Skins’ are well aware that ‘the Dee’ is a particularly hard team to beat at home and the Fermanagh side needs to be clinical to get its season back on track and resume the pursuit of league leaders Carrickfergus.
Lisburn v Coleraine
This is another match where the result is important at both ends of Qualifying Two. Lisburn was disappointed to lose narrowly at Ballymoney last weekend after a good win at Donaghadee, then narrowly losing at home to league leaders Carrickfergus. First XV Manager Michael Knowles is looking for a reaction from the players this week at home to second-place Coleraine although Injury rules out centre Noel Hooke, but both David and Mark Gilkinson are available for selection along with a third brother, Aaron, who started against Ballymoney. ‘Bands of brothers’ are very much the order of the day at Lisburn with Simon and Andrew Gilmore joining Peter and Andrew Weir in the Firsts squad. Head Coach Neil Hinds will finalise his starting line-up late in the week. Both the coaches and management were very disappointed with the second half performance at Ballymoney and will be looking to the team to put in a big performance in front of its home support this week.
Coleraine Head Coach Richard Boyd was pleased to see his backs help themselves to seven tries in their win over Donaghadee last week, with winger Stevie Callaghan scoring three tries. It would seem all the ingredients are there for a high-scoring game between these two sides that possess talented back lines.
KUKRI CONFERENCE LEAGUE TWO
Academy v Ballymena 2nd XV
Grosvenor v Queen’s University 2nds XV
Larne v Banbridge 2nd XV
Malone 2nd XV v Ballymoney
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE THREE
Civil Service v Newry
Letterkenny v Limavady
Lurgan v BHSFP
Monaghan v Strabane
PSNI v Ophir
UUC v Holywood
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
City of Derry v Rainey OB
Head coach Terry McMaster is hoping it is third time lucky as his table-topping City of Derry side and Rainey OB attempt to play the Ulster Bank League game originally arranged for two weeks ago, and again last weekend, the weather responsible for the protracted delay. McMaster retains the same squad selected for duty last week at Hattricks, and that means Neil Burns starts at outhalf. Rainey Head coach John Andrews also names retains the same panel as his team, currently in sixth spot, pushes for a top four finish in the second half of the season. He has placed his faith in the younger members of his squad who helped defeat Highfield 18 - 13 in their last AIL outing on the last Saturday of November.
SONI ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE SECTION TWO
Banbridge v Dungannon
Banbridge Head Coach Daniel Soper retains 17 of the squad which defeated Queen's University by an emphatic 38-7 scoreline last weekend. Aware that his players have two weeks off before the UBL restarts on the second Saturday in January with an away trip to Cashel he is anxious to keep everyone playing. The title race in Division 2A is very close with a number of sides potential end-of-season winners, so Soper’s focus is to improve his team’s form away from home.
Andrew Hughes, top-of-the-table Dungannon’s Head Coach, isn’t in a position to rest any players as the club is scheduled to field four sides this weekend, so he will select his strongest line-up. With no UBL games until the 9th January he believes players will have every opportunity to rest and recover after this weekend.
It was a frustrating, confusing day last Saturday after a long trek to Cork when the Tyrone team’s game with Sunday’s Well was switched from Irish Independent Park Musgrave Park by the Munster Branch to what is could only be described as a park pitch. It was not a venue which could be considered acceptable for an AIL match.
But the Stevenson Park coach was full of praise for the performance delivered by both teams in the circumstances, but disappointed his team did not win the match. They turned round at half-time tied at 6-6, having chosen to play into the wet and windy conditions for the first forty minutes.
Unfortunately this side decision proved rather naïve, Well’s second-half efforts earning a 9-6 win. It was a match Hughes felt his team should have won, and believes the visit to Banbridge is a good opportunity for the players to meet an in-form side without any pressure. Skipper James McMahon, Mark Riddell, James Bates, Peter Gilkinson are all unavailable for selection, but David Leyburn will get his first start since returning from injury.
JJ Kane, Matthew Calvert and Bryan Davidson are added to the matchday squad travelling to Rifle Park.
Queen’s University v Belfast Harlequins
While the students were convincingly beaten by Banbridge in back-to-back AIL games, Belfast Harlequins are still searching for that vital first Ulster Bank League win. It means that both playing squads will look at this fixture to restore confidence before they each resume their UBL programme in January. Queen’s coach Bob Young and counterpart Adam Larkin will be missing players due to Ulster and Ireland age-level representative calls.
But there is an abundance of talent on the fringes of both squads, young players who can use the fixture to push for a starting First Fifteen place.
ULSTER BANK ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR CUP SEMI FINALS
Bangor v Enniscorthy
After their Junior Cup win on Tuesday night Bangor is expected to make several changes to the starting line-up for the trip to Enniscorthy. Darren Kelly, Michael Ferguson, player-coach Jason Morgan, and Desi Fusco are being rested, and a late decision will be made on whether to hold back prop Philip Whyte. Morgan is moving Ross McCloskey to out-half with Adam McCusker coming in at fullback, with Michael Weir replacing Desi Fusco in the centre. Davy Caughey is expected to partner Curtis Stewart in the second row, with skipper Jamie Clegg joining David Bradford and Craig Burton in the back row. There are several front row options available, with James Leary and Paddy Dornan added to the squad which includes Orran McIImurray and Andrew Jackson.
Bangor faces a crucial Kukri Qualifying One match with Clogher Valley at Uprichard Park on Boxing Day as the team maintains its pursuit of the league title. It’s a case of the coaches managing the players through these two important end-of-year fixtures. In Bangor’s case, as it also targets the Powerade Towns Cup, success is very welcome but it also brings it problems in negotiating a congested fixture schedule.
Instonians v Clogher Valley
The games keep on coming Instonians Head coach William Leacock’s players, who have had little time to recover after narrowly losing to Bangor 7-5 in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup final on Tuesday night. The side faces Clogher Valley at Shaw's Bridge on Saturday (4.15 pm) in the semi-final of the All Ireland Junior Cup. Leacock will rotate his starting Fifteen for after Tuesday’s gruelling game at the Kingspan. Mike Blackwood, Lewis McNamara, Zac Finlay, Josh Lewis and Fraser Wright will all start against Clogher Valley.
Having seven bench replacements has been a ‘plus’ given the efforts in midweek when the game with Bangor might have gone either way. The Instonians coach felt Bangor deserved to win on the balance of play but was extremely proud of the heart and character shown by his players. The weather dictated the way the game was played and Bangor adapted better than his team, while two yellow cards didn't help and took their toll on the Belfast club. The match did demonstrate the team spirit within the squad, one Leacock really enjoys working with, and he’s convinced each player will learn and improve from the experience at the Kingspan.
Meanwhile, Clogher Valley coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black will be looking to their players to grab the opportunity to reach a second All-Ireland Junior Cup Final appearance. Injuries continue to rule out P.C. Falconer and Clive Donaldson, and the 22-man panel includes seven replacements who are very much a mixture of experience and youth, fourteen of the players having featured in the club’s last four All-Ireland Junior Cup semi-final appearances.
Philip Moore, Kyle Cobane and Philip Hopper make up the front row with the dynamic pairing of Michael Treanor and Eugene McKenna continue in the second row. Captain David Sharkey, Barry Jon Wilson and Ryan Wilson make up an experienced back row. Two key players expected to have a major impact on the outcome of the game with Instonians are half-backs Aaron Best and Philip Holme. David Speers and Allister Trenier continue in the centre with Andy Breen and Fleming Agnew on the wings, and Adam Baxter at fullback. The bench is made up with Mark Ellis, Neil Trotter, Rodney Bennett, Richard Primrose, Keith Todd, Matthew Keyes and Nathan Orr.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE ONE
Ards v CIYMS
Ards Director of Rugby Stephen Nutt was disappointed the game at Dromore was postponed last week as his players had prepared well during the week and we're looking forward to the match. This Saturday Nathan Graham remains on the injured list, but Head Coach David Irwin selecting from a virtually full-strength squad with Chris McClure available again after injury.
CIYMS Head Coach Gareth Fry was disappointed by the performance of his team in their 20-0 home defeat against Cooke two weeks ago, the visitors adapting better to the conditions at Belmont and fully deserved the win. Injuries will continue to impact on selection but the squad gets stronger by the week. Fry makes a number of positional changes for the match at Ards and is expecting a reaction from the players, acknowledging that the outcome is huge for both teams, with his side in tenth place, just below the hosts.
Cooke v Dromore
Much of the the focus may be on the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup semi-final match at Shaw’s Bridge this weekend, but for Cooke and Dromore who play in the curtain-raiser at 2.30om, it’s all about the league points.
Both teams recorded impressive wins in their last league outings against CIYMS and Portadown respectively, and Cooke and Dromore are now eighth and seventh in the table.
Cooke Head Coach Colin Atkinson was happy with the performance against CIYMS two weeks ago, but disappointed the team did not push on and secure the bonus point. So the match with Dromore is another crucial game for his team. Philip Cartmill is unavailable due to school teaching commitments and will be replaced by Ian Anderson, with Toby Mannus donning the captain’s armband. Otherwise the team is along the usual lines, with one of the McClelland brothers coming in to complete the squad.
Dromore’s Head Coach Jonny Cullen was amongst many disappointed with the postponement of the match against Ards last week, the players eager to build momentum on the back of their win over Portadown. Training has been good this week and the players are ‘biting at the bit’ for the game at Cooke. Both Robert Greer and Ross Bingham are added to the matchday squad, but Stuart Russell is unavailable.
KUKRI CONFERNECE LEAGUE ONE
Ballyclare v Ballynahinch 2nd XV
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE TWO
Carrickfergus v Randalstown
Both Ross Crymble and Adam Gibney are carrying knocks from Carrick's recent win over Coleraine, but Head Coach Neil Hanna welcomes back the experienced tight-head prop Michael Smylie who, with Brian Alexander, adds even more competition in the pack for the key game at home to Randalstown. Hanna is expecting another tough match with the County Antrim rivals at the Tom Simms Memorial Grounds, with his team currently in pole position, the visitors anxious to improve on its their fourth-place standing.
Randalstown Head coach Gary Longwell was very honest about his team’s home defeat against Academy last Saturday, admitting his players were not playing to their potential as evidenced by successive defeats against Academy and Larne. Carrick will be strong favourites for the match on Saturday, they recruited well this season and are the standout team in the league, but Randalstown has set itself ambitious targets this season and will not want to complete a hat-trick of recent reverses.
Donaghadee v Enniskillen
This is a match very important to both teams with Enniskillen looking to bounce back from the defeat at Academy to maintain the promotion push, and ‘Dee’ still struggling following relegation last season. Enniskillen’s Head Coach Norman Richmond knows the importance of this contest at Donaldson Park, though he’ll be missing Mark O'Shea and Jamie Johnston for this weekend, and centre Nathan Richmond who has been ruled out for the season with a back injury. Richard Beatty returns to the front row to replace the injured Gavin Warrington, with Jack Harte coming into the back row. Chris McVitty steps in for O'Shea with Adam Lendrum continuing at out half. ‘Skins’ are well aware that ‘the Dee’ is a particularly hard team to beat at home and the Fermanagh side needs to be clinical to get its season back on track and resume the pursuit of league leaders Carrickfergus.
Lisburn v Coleraine
This is another match where the result is important at both ends of Qualifying Two. Lisburn was disappointed to lose narrowly at Ballymoney last weekend after a good win at Donaghadee, then narrowly losing at home to league leaders Carrickfergus. First XV Manager Michael Knowles is looking for a reaction from the players this week at home to second-place Coleraine although Injury rules out centre Noel Hooke, but both David and Mark Gilkinson are available for selection along with a third brother, Aaron, who started against Ballymoney. ‘Bands of brothers’ are very much the order of the day at Lisburn with Simon and Andrew Gilmore joining Peter and Andrew Weir in the Firsts squad. Head Coach Neil Hinds will finalise his starting line-up late in the week. Both the coaches and management were very disappointed with the second half performance at Ballymoney and will be looking to the team to put in a big performance in front of its home support this week.
Coleraine Head Coach Richard Boyd was pleased to see his backs help themselves to seven tries in their win over Donaghadee last week, with winger Stevie Callaghan scoring three tries. It would seem all the ingredients are there for a high-scoring game between these two sides that possess talented back lines.
KUKRI CONFERENCE LEAGUE TWO
Academy v Ballymena 2nd XV
Grosvenor v Queen’s University 2nds XV
Larne v Banbridge 2nd XV
Malone 2nd XV v Ballymoney
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE THREE
Civil Service v Newry
Letterkenny v Limavady
Lurgan v BHSFP
Monaghan v Strabane
PSNI v Ophir
UUC v Holywood