Whether in the Ulster Bank All Ireland League, or in the concluding stages of the Kukri Qualifying Leagues, there will be many anxious coaches and players with very different ambitions in the remaining weeks of the season.
In the AIL the ten Ulster teams have contrasting goals, with Ballynahinch fighting to avoid relegation from Division 1A with three games left, and in Division 1B Ballymena has slipped to third place as it looks to finish in second place to secure a home semi-final in the play-offs.
Belfast Harlequins finds itself 14 points behind ninth-placed UL Bohemians and look consigned to Division 2A rugby next season – bar a series of miraculous results beyond the control of the Deramore club.
Banbridge remains level on points with leaders Naas in Division 2A on 51 points with three games remaining, while Malone has slipped down to fifth place and have a fight on its hands to make the Top Four and the play-offs.
Queens has had a disappointing season and will want to use the end-of-the-season games to improve on its current seventh-place standing.
In Division 2B City of Derry remain in in pole position place and despite losing the last three AIL games hold a seven-point lead over the second-placed Sunday's Well with three matches remaining. The sides meet at Judges Road on Saturday.
Seven points separate Dungannon, Rainey OB and Bective Rangers in seventh to ninth place with both Ulster sides needing to pick up league points from their remaining games with Rainey and Dungannon. Rainey and Bective meet at Hatrick Park on Saturday.
With such vital games still to be played a lot of clubs will have eyes on the dates now fixed for the play-off fixtures in late April.
In the Kukri Qualifying leagues there is all to play, leaders Bangor and current champions Instonians separated by just one point with four games remaining and to be played by Saturday, 26, March.
There is also the contest to finish in the Top Four and qualify for next season’s AIL Junior Cup. If the Ulster league winners are promoted to the AIL league the fifth-placed team will qualify. Clogher Valley is favourite to make the Top Four along with Ballyclare, Portadown or Cooke also in contention.
At the bottom of the table CIYMS are set to be relegated to Qualifying Two with ninth-placed team Ards facing a play-off against the runner-up in Qualifying Two.
In Qualifying Two Carrickfergus and Coleraine remain favourites to occupy the top two places with the second-placed team facing a play-off. Enniskillen may have a say with two games in hand and home games to come against Carrickfergus and Coleraine, so there may well be a few twists and turns yet.
At the other end there is a three-way contest involving Grosvenor, Ballymoney and Lisburn to avoid finishing in the bottom two. Again, the ninth-placed team will face a play-off against the second-placed side in Qualifying Three if it is to remain in Qualifying Two.
In Qualifying Three Limavady has won the league and secured promotion with four games to spare. Both UUC and the PSNI are fighting it out for the runner-up place and play-off spot.
For Bangor this is a critical period of the season. The winners of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup have progressed to the semi-finals of the Powerade Towns Cup with a game to be played against Omagh on Saturday week.
With both Bangor and Instonians chasing the league title there is a real prospect of Bangor having to play its final league game on Saturday, 26 March just two days before a possible Towns Cup Final on Easter Monday (28th).
If both Bangor and Instonians finish level on points in Qualifying One both teams will face a play-off, possibly on Wednesday, 30 March. The winners of the Qualifying One title will then enter the All Ireland Provincial League Championship with the other three provincial winners, with the first match due to be played on Saturday 2nd April.
Instonians and Bangor are not the only teams confronted with fixture congestion, with Clogher Valley faced with playing six league matches before the end of March, not to mention involvement in the semi-final of the Towns’ Cup on Saturday week.
And there’s still the possibility of a Towns Cup final on Easter Monday! Success brings its problems with fixtures, but most clubs would love those problems!
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
Ballynahinch v Clontarf
The games don't get any easier for Ballynahinch in trying to overtake ninth-placed Terenure College. The visit of league leaders Clontarf side to Ballymacarn Park this weekend is daunting, Head Coach Derek Suffern and his players’ remaining two games are then against second-placed UCD and fifth-placed Garryowen.
In September Clontarf won 38-17 winners against a Ballynahinch club which has always fully embraced the AIL, one example of that being the strong support on match days at Ballymacarn Park.
‘Hinch hopes Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow and Paul Rowley will be released from Ulster duty, while Sam Windsor and John Donnan have been needed by the Province in recent matches. As with all clubs injuries have a big impact and missing will be Aaron Cairns, David McGuigan, Andrew Harper, Richard Reaney, Stuart Morrow, Adam Craig, Justin Rea, Sam Arnold and Zach McCall.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B
Belfast Harlequins v Old Wesley
Quins are 14 points behind ninth-placed UL Bohemians and appear to be all but relegated, but have two further games remaining against UL Bohemians and Ballymena. Old Wesley won the game between the sides in Dublin in September by an emphatic 33-8.
Dublin University v Ballymena
It’s a big game for Andy Graham and his players as it looks to make up the sevens points on second-placed Dublin University, with just two matches remaining against Dolphin and Belfast Harlequins. When these two sides met in September Ballymena won 35-24 at Eaton Park, and runner-up finish would ensure a home draw in the play-offs.
Graham will not be able to finalise selection until Thursday night, and again he is awaiting news on players to be released by Ulster Rugby. Michael Lagan, Andrew McGrath and Rory Butler are expected to be released for this weekend, but injury rules out Paddy James for the season.
Marty Irwin, Stephen Mulholland, Callum Patterson and Mark Foster are unavailable. Jonny Rossborough, James Beattie, Kieran Joyce and Clen Baillie are facing late fitness tests. Ballymena had a hard-earned 30-23 win over Shannon at Eaton Park last weekend.
This week Graham’s pack will include Michael Lagan, either of James Taggart or Andrew Ferguson and Chris Cundell in the front row, with David Whann and Ian Caldwell in the second row. Conor Smyth, Willy McKay and James Gallagher are expected to make up the back-row.
The Head Coach expects a very tough game against a Trinity side which is on a good run, playing exciting rugby and boasting a fine pack of forwards. To win at College Park on Ballymena will have to dominate the forward exchanges to get the upper hand on the students.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A
Banbridge v Thomond
Coach Daniel Soper, having guided RBAI to the Schools’ Cup Final, has turned his attention fully to the AIL and will want to see his Bann team bounce back from their 14-7 defeat at Nenagh Ormond two weeks ago. Having dropped to second place, level with leaders Naas on 51 points, there are two further games remaining against Galway Corinthians and Malone. When the sides met in September Thomond won a very closely-contested game 21-20.
Miles O'Hagan comes in on the wing in a relatively familiar Banbridge line-up, but Soper is wary of the threat from more lowly-ranked teams, knowing that rarely does a team roll over and concede relegation, particularly a proud and resilient team like Thomond.
Malone v Galway Corinthians
Both these teams need league points, Malone fighting for a Top Four place and Corinthians hoping to make the play-offs to remain in Division 2A. Nothing less than a win will do for Malone with two remaining games coming up against Naas and Banbridge. When these two sides met at Gibson Park in September Malone ran out narrow 20-14 winners.
Head Coach Jarrett Truscott has been forced to make several changes due to injury and unavailability, and his front row includes Ben Halliday, Tristan King and Philip Eadie with Richard Millar and James McAllister at lock. Johnny Ogilby joins captain Neil Alcorn and Ross Todd in the back row.
Shane Kelly and Josh Pentland are at half-back, with Nathan Brown restored to the centre alongside Michael Cartmill. Jack McMurtry and Michael Barker are on the wings, with Mark O'Connor at fullback. The replacements include Dave Cave, Gary Crawford, Chris Davis, Ricky McCullagh and Gareth Millar.
Queen’s University v Nenagh Ormond
The students have not fulfilled their promise this season and have slipped down to seventh place and take on a Nenagh side which defeated Banbridge 14-7 two weeks ago. Like Malone and Cashel, Queen’s is battling for a Top Four finish. When these two sides met in September Neagh came out comfortable 36-13 winners, while in its last AIL outing two weeks ago Queen’s lost 29-12 away to Sherries.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
City of Derry v Sunday's Well
This is the top-of-the-table clash between the top two sides in the league. City of Derry, despite its seven-point lead, has lost the last three AIL matches, with Armagh defeating the North West side 19-16 at the Palace Grounds two weeks ago. When these two sides met in Cork back in September City of Derry came out narrow winners 23-18.
With so much at stake for both teams we can expect another close encounter,as particularly Sunday's Well is coming off the back of a 17-3 win in Cork against Rainey OB 17-3 last Saturday.
Dungannon v Greystones
Dungannon needs league points to avoid getting caught up in the tangle of the bottom two places and travel to play a Greystones team chasing a second-place finish with three games left to play. Dungannon won the reverse fixture in September at home by 23-17, and as the County Tyrone team finishes its league programme with games against Seapoint and Armagh. Head Coach Andy Hughes will be looking a big improvement from his team after it lost two weeks ago at home to Highfield 22-8.
At this stage the coach has a full squad to select from and the team has its goals and if achieved then it will be judged a successful year. It will be another tough week away to an in-form Greystones side fighting for a play-off place, so all Hughes can ask from his players is they take confidence from the recent wins and learn from the defeat against Highfield.
Armagh v Highfield
This is not an easy game for Head Coach Alex McCloy’s Armagh players as Highfield won convincingly 22- 8 at Dungannon two weeks ago. Home form has been an issue for Armagh side as it struggles to compete with the bigger Southern packs. For the record, when these two sides met at the Palace Grounds in September, Highfield won comfortably by 29-15.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
Ballyclare v Cooke
It’s a huge match for both teams this weekend at the Cloughan as they chase a Top Four finish and qualification for the All Ireland Junior Cup. Ballyclare has won its last two league matches against Omagh and Ards to take maximum league points, while Cooke has won its last four league and Cup games in pursuit of grandstand finish.
Ballyclare has two league games remaining, away to Portadown and Bangor, and Cooke has three league games - against Instonians, Bangor and Dromore - with a semi-final of the McCrea Cup on Saturday week against holders Queen’s 2nds.
Ballyclare Head coach Mike McKeever is delighted his team is ‘in the mix’ for a Top Four finish will not finalise his team selection until late in the week as more players being available gives him more options and potential; combinations. Ross Scott, Andrew Butler, Michael Rainey and Bobby Smith return, and those like Ryan Tweed, James Greer, JJ Baird and David Chambers. Taking their chances to impress recently, reflects McKeever’s greater range of choice and the depth the coach has within his squad.
His team is in a great position, having completed fixtures when they could, so there’s no congestion in the fixture list, so the players are totally focussed on the remaining three games and are taking it one match at a time.
Cooke’s Head coach Colin Atkinson has had to deal with an ever-increasing injury list before finalising his starting team, but injury has ruled out the influential Alex Gourlay with a fractured nose. Russell Hunter and Daniel Dawson should be available for selection this weekend. The coach was delighted with his team’s efforts in their impressive 33-7 win over Portadown last Saturday, when Andy Pollock, Kyle Mitchell and Scott McClelland were amongst the try-scorers in the bonus-point win.
Bangor v Portadown
The seasiders have a one-point advantage over second-placed Instonians with four matches to play, three of which are at home to Portadown, Cooke and Ballyclare, with a trip to Clogher Valley in a fortnight. Head Coach Jason Morgan is aware of the demands on his players with a semi-final of the Towns’ Cup due on Saturday week, and a possible Final on Easter Monday (Monday, 28 March). Portadown slipped up at Cooke last week, beaten 33-7, and has five league matches left to play including matches with Bangor, Instonians, Ballyclare and Clogher Valley.
Portadown Head Coach Richard Hedley will seek one massive effort from his players during March to see can they finish in the Top Four, but he’ll be aware that when the two sides met at Chambers Park in September Bangor won comfortably 43-16.
Morgan is rotating his squad for the season ‘run-in’, so Michael Ferguson returns to the front-row alongside Peter Nicholl and Philip Whyte, with Darren Kelly and Craig Burton in the second row. Mike Weir, captain Jamie Clegg and David Bradford make up a strong back-row.
Both Jason Guthrie and Morgan are at half-back, with Desi Fusco and Mike Apsley in the centre while Mark Widdowson returns on the wing, with Neil Cuthbertson on the other, and Ross McCloskey is at full-back.
Hedley feels a few late changes to his starting team last weekend was no excuse for a poor performance and he welcomes back Robert Reid, Matthew Wilson, Darmuid O'Kane and Andrew Chambers, with prop Mark Henderson unavailable.
CIYMS v Clogher Valley
Under Gareth Fry, CIYMS was expected to challenge for league and Cup honours this season, but it has been a disappointing season for the team as it faces relegation to Qualifying Two next season.
Coming up are Omagh and Ards to complete the league campaign, but more immediately the focus is on the visit of Clogher Valley which is facing a third match in eight days after playing Dromore last weekend, followed by Ards on Wednesday night.
The goal for the Fivemiletown side is to claim third place in Qualifying One and qualify for the All-Ireland Junior Cup. After this weekend Clogher has Bangor, Omagh, home and away, and Portadown to play in the league, he team determined to reach the final of the Towns’ Cup in the club’s 25th anniversary season.
Fry has opined that injuries, players’ choosing to play at a lower level, and the lack of a reliable place-kicker have been partially been responsible for a disappointing campaign. The coach is awaiting a few late fitness tests before finalising selection but he welcomes back captain Mark McConkey to the squad.
Clogher Valley delays selection until late in the week after Wednesday’ rearranged game with Ards at Hamilton Park was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. For that game Injuries had ruled out several players including Ryan Wilson, BJ Wilson, Philip Moore, Ronan McAleer and Philip Holme.
Dromore v Omagh
Two teams which would have had ambitions to finish in the Top Four this season meet in a mid-table fixture neither would have wanted. Dromore finished in the top four last season and has struggled to repeat those performances this season, but new Head Coach Jonny Cullen is confident he has a panel strong enough to aim for the top next year.
Omagh under Head Coach Philip Marshall is pleased to have consolidated its place in Qualifying One after being promoted, and two semi-finals appearances in the Junior Cup and an opportunity to make the Towns Cup Final on Easter Monday would point to real progress this season.
Dromore has three matches left against Omagh, Ards and Cooke as they look to finish mid-table. When these two teams met in the league at the Thomas Mellon Playing fields in August Omagh ran out narrow 22-17 winners. There is a form line of sorts to this clash as when they met in the Junior Cup Omagh won 31-7. Can Omagh complete the treble this weekend?
Cullen has done well in his debut season as coach and retains the same team that lost 14-10 at Clogher Valley last weekend.
Omagh Head coach Philip Marshall faces another big test against a vastly improved Dromore side, its big pack will be a good test before the Towns’ Cup semi-final against Bangor. He is missing several players including Johnny Sproule, Alan Heaney and the injured Scott Elliott. Against Dromore Kyle Alexander, Adam Pollock and John Blair will start in the front-row, with Mervyn Edgar moved into the second row alongside James Catterson. He retains his back-row of Stuart Allen, Richard Harpur and Dean Porter.
In the backs Matty Eccles replaces Alan Heaney with Neil Mellon taking over from Scott Elliott at full-back. Ryan McCullough joins Aaron Shortt on the bench.
Instonians v Ards
Head coach William Leacock will be able to focus his Instonians team’s efforts on the remaining four league games against Ards, Portadown – home and away - and Cooke, with the objective of taking maximum points to overtake Bangor and retain the league title.
The Shaw’s Bridge side has no Cup competitions to derail its league ambitions and will not want to end the season empty-handed after losing the Junior Cup and All Ireland Junior Cup Finals. Ards is facing the prospect of a play-off against the second place team in Qualifying Two to retain its status in the top tier.
It has been a difficult season for the Hamilton Park club after being relegated from the All-Ireland league last season and has four matches remaining against Clogher Valley, Instonians, Dromore and CIYMS to boost morale. When these two teams met at Hamilton Park in August Instonians dug deep to win 30-26.
Leacock is struggling to field a team for this weekend due to injuries and unavailability with James Le Broy, Harry Cleland and Glen Baxter added to the growing injury list. Mike Blackwood returns to the team with Luke McBratney retaining his place after impressing off the bench against Omagh.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Ballymoney v Larne
After being relegated from Qualifying One last season Ballymoney is locked in a battle with Grosvenor and Lisburn to avoid finishing in the bottom two. Head coach James Carson will have to lift his team for the final home match with Larne this weekend, with the three remaining games away to Lisburn, Grosvenor and Academy. So, his players have four ‘cup finals’ left to salvage the season after losing the last four matches.
Larne has been the surprise team in Qualifying Two this season after securing promotion last season and have ambitions to finish in the Top Four and complete the league programme with four away games against Ballymoney, Grosvenor, Randalstown and Donaghadee. When these two sides met at the Glynn in September Ballymoney won 22-8.
Ballymoney Head Coach James Carson lost his influential back row forward Dave McKeeman with a fractured leg in the ‘derby’ match with Coleraine last Saturday, and he also has a doubt over the fitness of Garvin Bellingham.
Carson was delighted with the form and application of his players at Coleraine and they are approaching the visit of Larne with real confidence. In contrast, Larne Head coach Ryan Milligan was disappointed with his team’s 19-17 loss at Academy on its last outing, though the players still very much have a goal to finish in the Top Four. This weekend though the coach is missing Chris Rea, Matt Crampsey, Jonny McKinty, Gareth Jamison, Ian McIheron and Rhys Thomas.
Coleraine v Lisburn
These are two sides who need league points for very different reasons. Coleraine remains three points behind league leaders Carrickfergus with four matches remaining, against Lisburn, Donaghadee, Enniskillen and Carrickfergus. But Lisburn is involved in a battle with Grosvenor and Ballymoney to avoid finishing in the bottom two places with just four matches remaining against Coleraine, Ballymoney, Donaghadee and Academy. When these two sides met at Blaris in December Coleraine ran out 34-26 winners.
Coleraine Head coach Richard Boyd, his coaches and players, are excited and ready for the challenge of the final four league games. For them it has been a great season so far and it is good to still be ‘in the hunt’ for promotion. Lisburn will be tough opponents as they try to get themselves clear of the relegation battle and is a better team than its league position suggests.
The visitors are boosted by the return of No.8 Brian Hughes to the starting line up with utility back Cameron Jenks coming into the team. They come in to replace the injured DD Andrews and the unavailable Steven Callaghan.
Enniskillen v Donaghadee
The visit of ‘Dee is a game ‘Skins’ need to win as they trail second-placed Coleraine by 13 points, but with two games in hand. Head Coach Norman Richmond’s Enniskillen side play no fewer than six league games against Donaghadee, Carrickfergus – home and away - Academy, Coleraine and Randalstown, and that’s a difficult schedule if it is to finish in the top two. Donaghadee has suffered two heavy defeats, against Randalstown and Bangor in the last two weeks, with Head Coach John West aware his team need to start picking up league points to avoid being caught up in a relegation battle.
‘Dee has seven league matches left and will look for a strong finish to the season after being relegated from Qualifying One last season. When these two sides met at Donaldson Park in December Donaghadee ran out convincing winners 33-7.
Richmond is convinced that this under-par performance was a reality check for his players, and since that defeat Enniskillen has recorded five league wins and progressed to the semi-finals of the Towns’ Cup, and is undefeated in 2016. Every player knows now that their performance and attitude each Saturday must be right with no room for error.
The team is largely unchanged this week from recent games, but John Courtney returns to the side to replace the unavailable Ricky Lee. Richmond hopes his team can turn the tables on ‘the Dee’ on Saturday, but is acutely aware that the North Down team will be no pushovers.
Grosvenor v Academy
The Belmont side has five games left to play, all at home, starting with Academy this weekend, then Larne, Ballymoney, Donaghadee and Randalstown. It’s in an ‘arm wrestle’ with Ballymoney and Lisburn to avoid relegation to Qualifying Three.
Grosvenor lost narrowly by 23-17 at league leaders Carrickfergus last weekend, while Academy is on a six-match unbeaten run and has six league games left to play: against Grosvenor, Randalstown, Enniskillen, Ballymoney, Lisburn and Donaghadee.
There’s also the little matter of a McCrea Cup semi-final match with Malone 2nds on Saturday week. And the home side will take confidence from the last meeting of the sides in September at Roughfort, Grosvenor running out 37-22 winners.
Randalstown v Carrickfergus
Now this is an intriguing contest Intriguing match at Nelisbrook Park, with Randalstown are coming off the back of a convincing 45-5, seven-try win at Donaldson Park over Donaghadee last weekend. With five matches after this week, against Academy, Larne, Donaghadee, Enniskillen and Grosvenor, it’s Randalstown who’ll have a big say in the outcome of this league. Coaches Gary Longwell and Alastair Strange are building a Randalstown squad designed to push for promotion next season.
Carrick were pushed all the way by Randalstown when these two teams met at the Tom Simms Memorial playing fields in December, Carrick recording a narrow 11-5 win. Carrick's priority this season has been to secure promotion to Qualifying One, and Neil Hanna’s team is just four matches away from achieving that goal: with the game against Randalstown followed by Enniskillen – at home and in Fermanagh - and Coleraine. It’s a difficult ‘run-in’ for Neil Hanna and his players, but the side’s consistency and its ability all over the pitch can navigate it towards the top division.
Longwell, who is a great admirer of the way Hanna has driven Carrick to the verge of promotion, will do his best to make his friend wait a little longer to celebrate elevation to the top division, and two well-organised teams promise a really compelling encounter.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Holywood v Letterkenny
Monaghan v Lurgan
Ophir v Limavady
PSNI v Civil Service
Strabane v Newry
UUC v BHSFP
2ND XV LEAGUE
Ballymena v Ballynahinch
Banbridge v Belfast Harlequins
In the AIL the ten Ulster teams have contrasting goals, with Ballynahinch fighting to avoid relegation from Division 1A with three games left, and in Division 1B Ballymena has slipped to third place as it looks to finish in second place to secure a home semi-final in the play-offs.
Belfast Harlequins finds itself 14 points behind ninth-placed UL Bohemians and look consigned to Division 2A rugby next season – bar a series of miraculous results beyond the control of the Deramore club.
Banbridge remains level on points with leaders Naas in Division 2A on 51 points with three games remaining, while Malone has slipped down to fifth place and have a fight on its hands to make the Top Four and the play-offs.
Queens has had a disappointing season and will want to use the end-of-the-season games to improve on its current seventh-place standing.
In Division 2B City of Derry remain in in pole position place and despite losing the last three AIL games hold a seven-point lead over the second-placed Sunday's Well with three matches remaining. The sides meet at Judges Road on Saturday.
Seven points separate Dungannon, Rainey OB and Bective Rangers in seventh to ninth place with both Ulster sides needing to pick up league points from their remaining games with Rainey and Dungannon. Rainey and Bective meet at Hatrick Park on Saturday.
With such vital games still to be played a lot of clubs will have eyes on the dates now fixed for the play-off fixtures in late April.
In the Kukri Qualifying leagues there is all to play, leaders Bangor and current champions Instonians separated by just one point with four games remaining and to be played by Saturday, 26, March.
There is also the contest to finish in the Top Four and qualify for next season’s AIL Junior Cup. If the Ulster league winners are promoted to the AIL league the fifth-placed team will qualify. Clogher Valley is favourite to make the Top Four along with Ballyclare, Portadown or Cooke also in contention.
At the bottom of the table CIYMS are set to be relegated to Qualifying Two with ninth-placed team Ards facing a play-off against the runner-up in Qualifying Two.
In Qualifying Two Carrickfergus and Coleraine remain favourites to occupy the top two places with the second-placed team facing a play-off. Enniskillen may have a say with two games in hand and home games to come against Carrickfergus and Coleraine, so there may well be a few twists and turns yet.
At the other end there is a three-way contest involving Grosvenor, Ballymoney and Lisburn to avoid finishing in the bottom two. Again, the ninth-placed team will face a play-off against the second-placed side in Qualifying Three if it is to remain in Qualifying Two.
In Qualifying Three Limavady has won the league and secured promotion with four games to spare. Both UUC and the PSNI are fighting it out for the runner-up place and play-off spot.
For Bangor this is a critical period of the season. The winners of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup have progressed to the semi-finals of the Powerade Towns Cup with a game to be played against Omagh on Saturday week.
With both Bangor and Instonians chasing the league title there is a real prospect of Bangor having to play its final league game on Saturday, 26 March just two days before a possible Towns Cup Final on Easter Monday (28th).
If both Bangor and Instonians finish level on points in Qualifying One both teams will face a play-off, possibly on Wednesday, 30 March. The winners of the Qualifying One title will then enter the All Ireland Provincial League Championship with the other three provincial winners, with the first match due to be played on Saturday 2nd April.
Instonians and Bangor are not the only teams confronted with fixture congestion, with Clogher Valley faced with playing six league matches before the end of March, not to mention involvement in the semi-final of the Towns’ Cup on Saturday week.
And there’s still the possibility of a Towns Cup final on Easter Monday! Success brings its problems with fixtures, but most clubs would love those problems!
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
Ballynahinch v Clontarf
The games don't get any easier for Ballynahinch in trying to overtake ninth-placed Terenure College. The visit of league leaders Clontarf side to Ballymacarn Park this weekend is daunting, Head Coach Derek Suffern and his players’ remaining two games are then against second-placed UCD and fifth-placed Garryowen.
In September Clontarf won 38-17 winners against a Ballynahinch club which has always fully embraced the AIL, one example of that being the strong support on match days at Ballymacarn Park.
‘Hinch hopes Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow and Paul Rowley will be released from Ulster duty, while Sam Windsor and John Donnan have been needed by the Province in recent matches. As with all clubs injuries have a big impact and missing will be Aaron Cairns, David McGuigan, Andrew Harper, Richard Reaney, Stuart Morrow, Adam Craig, Justin Rea, Sam Arnold and Zach McCall.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B
Belfast Harlequins v Old Wesley
Quins are 14 points behind ninth-placed UL Bohemians and appear to be all but relegated, but have two further games remaining against UL Bohemians and Ballymena. Old Wesley won the game between the sides in Dublin in September by an emphatic 33-8.
Dublin University v Ballymena
It’s a big game for Andy Graham and his players as it looks to make up the sevens points on second-placed Dublin University, with just two matches remaining against Dolphin and Belfast Harlequins. When these two sides met in September Ballymena won 35-24 at Eaton Park, and runner-up finish would ensure a home draw in the play-offs.
Graham will not be able to finalise selection until Thursday night, and again he is awaiting news on players to be released by Ulster Rugby. Michael Lagan, Andrew McGrath and Rory Butler are expected to be released for this weekend, but injury rules out Paddy James for the season.
Marty Irwin, Stephen Mulholland, Callum Patterson and Mark Foster are unavailable. Jonny Rossborough, James Beattie, Kieran Joyce and Clen Baillie are facing late fitness tests. Ballymena had a hard-earned 30-23 win over Shannon at Eaton Park last weekend.
This week Graham’s pack will include Michael Lagan, either of James Taggart or Andrew Ferguson and Chris Cundell in the front row, with David Whann and Ian Caldwell in the second row. Conor Smyth, Willy McKay and James Gallagher are expected to make up the back-row.
The Head Coach expects a very tough game against a Trinity side which is on a good run, playing exciting rugby and boasting a fine pack of forwards. To win at College Park on Ballymena will have to dominate the forward exchanges to get the upper hand on the students.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A
Banbridge v Thomond
Coach Daniel Soper, having guided RBAI to the Schools’ Cup Final, has turned his attention fully to the AIL and will want to see his Bann team bounce back from their 14-7 defeat at Nenagh Ormond two weeks ago. Having dropped to second place, level with leaders Naas on 51 points, there are two further games remaining against Galway Corinthians and Malone. When the sides met in September Thomond won a very closely-contested game 21-20.
Miles O'Hagan comes in on the wing in a relatively familiar Banbridge line-up, but Soper is wary of the threat from more lowly-ranked teams, knowing that rarely does a team roll over and concede relegation, particularly a proud and resilient team like Thomond.
Malone v Galway Corinthians
Both these teams need league points, Malone fighting for a Top Four place and Corinthians hoping to make the play-offs to remain in Division 2A. Nothing less than a win will do for Malone with two remaining games coming up against Naas and Banbridge. When these two sides met at Gibson Park in September Malone ran out narrow 20-14 winners.
Head Coach Jarrett Truscott has been forced to make several changes due to injury and unavailability, and his front row includes Ben Halliday, Tristan King and Philip Eadie with Richard Millar and James McAllister at lock. Johnny Ogilby joins captain Neil Alcorn and Ross Todd in the back row.
Shane Kelly and Josh Pentland are at half-back, with Nathan Brown restored to the centre alongside Michael Cartmill. Jack McMurtry and Michael Barker are on the wings, with Mark O'Connor at fullback. The replacements include Dave Cave, Gary Crawford, Chris Davis, Ricky McCullagh and Gareth Millar.
Queen’s University v Nenagh Ormond
The students have not fulfilled their promise this season and have slipped down to seventh place and take on a Nenagh side which defeated Banbridge 14-7 two weeks ago. Like Malone and Cashel, Queen’s is battling for a Top Four finish. When these two sides met in September Neagh came out comfortable 36-13 winners, while in its last AIL outing two weeks ago Queen’s lost 29-12 away to Sherries.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
City of Derry v Sunday's Well
This is the top-of-the-table clash between the top two sides in the league. City of Derry, despite its seven-point lead, has lost the last three AIL matches, with Armagh defeating the North West side 19-16 at the Palace Grounds two weeks ago. When these two sides met in Cork back in September City of Derry came out narrow winners 23-18.
With so much at stake for both teams we can expect another close encounter,as particularly Sunday's Well is coming off the back of a 17-3 win in Cork against Rainey OB 17-3 last Saturday.
Dungannon v Greystones
Dungannon needs league points to avoid getting caught up in the tangle of the bottom two places and travel to play a Greystones team chasing a second-place finish with three games left to play. Dungannon won the reverse fixture in September at home by 23-17, and as the County Tyrone team finishes its league programme with games against Seapoint and Armagh. Head Coach Andy Hughes will be looking a big improvement from his team after it lost two weeks ago at home to Highfield 22-8.
At this stage the coach has a full squad to select from and the team has its goals and if achieved then it will be judged a successful year. It will be another tough week away to an in-form Greystones side fighting for a play-off place, so all Hughes can ask from his players is they take confidence from the recent wins and learn from the defeat against Highfield.
Armagh v Highfield
This is not an easy game for Head Coach Alex McCloy’s Armagh players as Highfield won convincingly 22- 8 at Dungannon two weeks ago. Home form has been an issue for Armagh side as it struggles to compete with the bigger Southern packs. For the record, when these two sides met at the Palace Grounds in September, Highfield won comfortably by 29-15.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
Ballyclare v Cooke
It’s a huge match for both teams this weekend at the Cloughan as they chase a Top Four finish and qualification for the All Ireland Junior Cup. Ballyclare has won its last two league matches against Omagh and Ards to take maximum league points, while Cooke has won its last four league and Cup games in pursuit of grandstand finish.
Ballyclare has two league games remaining, away to Portadown and Bangor, and Cooke has three league games - against Instonians, Bangor and Dromore - with a semi-final of the McCrea Cup on Saturday week against holders Queen’s 2nds.
Ballyclare Head coach Mike McKeever is delighted his team is ‘in the mix’ for a Top Four finish will not finalise his team selection until late in the week as more players being available gives him more options and potential; combinations. Ross Scott, Andrew Butler, Michael Rainey and Bobby Smith return, and those like Ryan Tweed, James Greer, JJ Baird and David Chambers. Taking their chances to impress recently, reflects McKeever’s greater range of choice and the depth the coach has within his squad.
His team is in a great position, having completed fixtures when they could, so there’s no congestion in the fixture list, so the players are totally focussed on the remaining three games and are taking it one match at a time.
Cooke’s Head coach Colin Atkinson has had to deal with an ever-increasing injury list before finalising his starting team, but injury has ruled out the influential Alex Gourlay with a fractured nose. Russell Hunter and Daniel Dawson should be available for selection this weekend. The coach was delighted with his team’s efforts in their impressive 33-7 win over Portadown last Saturday, when Andy Pollock, Kyle Mitchell and Scott McClelland were amongst the try-scorers in the bonus-point win.
Bangor v Portadown
The seasiders have a one-point advantage over second-placed Instonians with four matches to play, three of which are at home to Portadown, Cooke and Ballyclare, with a trip to Clogher Valley in a fortnight. Head Coach Jason Morgan is aware of the demands on his players with a semi-final of the Towns’ Cup due on Saturday week, and a possible Final on Easter Monday (Monday, 28 March). Portadown slipped up at Cooke last week, beaten 33-7, and has five league matches left to play including matches with Bangor, Instonians, Ballyclare and Clogher Valley.
Portadown Head Coach Richard Hedley will seek one massive effort from his players during March to see can they finish in the Top Four, but he’ll be aware that when the two sides met at Chambers Park in September Bangor won comfortably 43-16.
Morgan is rotating his squad for the season ‘run-in’, so Michael Ferguson returns to the front-row alongside Peter Nicholl and Philip Whyte, with Darren Kelly and Craig Burton in the second row. Mike Weir, captain Jamie Clegg and David Bradford make up a strong back-row.
Both Jason Guthrie and Morgan are at half-back, with Desi Fusco and Mike Apsley in the centre while Mark Widdowson returns on the wing, with Neil Cuthbertson on the other, and Ross McCloskey is at full-back.
Hedley feels a few late changes to his starting team last weekend was no excuse for a poor performance and he welcomes back Robert Reid, Matthew Wilson, Darmuid O'Kane and Andrew Chambers, with prop Mark Henderson unavailable.
CIYMS v Clogher Valley
Under Gareth Fry, CIYMS was expected to challenge for league and Cup honours this season, but it has been a disappointing season for the team as it faces relegation to Qualifying Two next season.
Coming up are Omagh and Ards to complete the league campaign, but more immediately the focus is on the visit of Clogher Valley which is facing a third match in eight days after playing Dromore last weekend, followed by Ards on Wednesday night.
The goal for the Fivemiletown side is to claim third place in Qualifying One and qualify for the All-Ireland Junior Cup. After this weekend Clogher has Bangor, Omagh, home and away, and Portadown to play in the league, he team determined to reach the final of the Towns’ Cup in the club’s 25th anniversary season.
Fry has opined that injuries, players’ choosing to play at a lower level, and the lack of a reliable place-kicker have been partially been responsible for a disappointing campaign. The coach is awaiting a few late fitness tests before finalising selection but he welcomes back captain Mark McConkey to the squad.
Clogher Valley delays selection until late in the week after Wednesday’ rearranged game with Ards at Hamilton Park was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. For that game Injuries had ruled out several players including Ryan Wilson, BJ Wilson, Philip Moore, Ronan McAleer and Philip Holme.
Dromore v Omagh
Two teams which would have had ambitions to finish in the Top Four this season meet in a mid-table fixture neither would have wanted. Dromore finished in the top four last season and has struggled to repeat those performances this season, but new Head Coach Jonny Cullen is confident he has a panel strong enough to aim for the top next year.
Omagh under Head Coach Philip Marshall is pleased to have consolidated its place in Qualifying One after being promoted, and two semi-finals appearances in the Junior Cup and an opportunity to make the Towns Cup Final on Easter Monday would point to real progress this season.
Dromore has three matches left against Omagh, Ards and Cooke as they look to finish mid-table. When these two teams met in the league at the Thomas Mellon Playing fields in August Omagh ran out narrow 22-17 winners. There is a form line of sorts to this clash as when they met in the Junior Cup Omagh won 31-7. Can Omagh complete the treble this weekend?
Cullen has done well in his debut season as coach and retains the same team that lost 14-10 at Clogher Valley last weekend.
Omagh Head coach Philip Marshall faces another big test against a vastly improved Dromore side, its big pack will be a good test before the Towns’ Cup semi-final against Bangor. He is missing several players including Johnny Sproule, Alan Heaney and the injured Scott Elliott. Against Dromore Kyle Alexander, Adam Pollock and John Blair will start in the front-row, with Mervyn Edgar moved into the second row alongside James Catterson. He retains his back-row of Stuart Allen, Richard Harpur and Dean Porter.
In the backs Matty Eccles replaces Alan Heaney with Neil Mellon taking over from Scott Elliott at full-back. Ryan McCullough joins Aaron Shortt on the bench.
Instonians v Ards
Head coach William Leacock will be able to focus his Instonians team’s efforts on the remaining four league games against Ards, Portadown – home and away - and Cooke, with the objective of taking maximum points to overtake Bangor and retain the league title.
The Shaw’s Bridge side has no Cup competitions to derail its league ambitions and will not want to end the season empty-handed after losing the Junior Cup and All Ireland Junior Cup Finals. Ards is facing the prospect of a play-off against the second place team in Qualifying Two to retain its status in the top tier.
It has been a difficult season for the Hamilton Park club after being relegated from the All-Ireland league last season and has four matches remaining against Clogher Valley, Instonians, Dromore and CIYMS to boost morale. When these two teams met at Hamilton Park in August Instonians dug deep to win 30-26.
Leacock is struggling to field a team for this weekend due to injuries and unavailability with James Le Broy, Harry Cleland and Glen Baxter added to the growing injury list. Mike Blackwood returns to the team with Luke McBratney retaining his place after impressing off the bench against Omagh.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Ballymoney v Larne
After being relegated from Qualifying One last season Ballymoney is locked in a battle with Grosvenor and Lisburn to avoid finishing in the bottom two. Head coach James Carson will have to lift his team for the final home match with Larne this weekend, with the three remaining games away to Lisburn, Grosvenor and Academy. So, his players have four ‘cup finals’ left to salvage the season after losing the last four matches.
Larne has been the surprise team in Qualifying Two this season after securing promotion last season and have ambitions to finish in the Top Four and complete the league programme with four away games against Ballymoney, Grosvenor, Randalstown and Donaghadee. When these two sides met at the Glynn in September Ballymoney won 22-8.
Ballymoney Head Coach James Carson lost his influential back row forward Dave McKeeman with a fractured leg in the ‘derby’ match with Coleraine last Saturday, and he also has a doubt over the fitness of Garvin Bellingham.
Carson was delighted with the form and application of his players at Coleraine and they are approaching the visit of Larne with real confidence. In contrast, Larne Head coach Ryan Milligan was disappointed with his team’s 19-17 loss at Academy on its last outing, though the players still very much have a goal to finish in the Top Four. This weekend though the coach is missing Chris Rea, Matt Crampsey, Jonny McKinty, Gareth Jamison, Ian McIheron and Rhys Thomas.
Coleraine v Lisburn
These are two sides who need league points for very different reasons. Coleraine remains three points behind league leaders Carrickfergus with four matches remaining, against Lisburn, Donaghadee, Enniskillen and Carrickfergus. But Lisburn is involved in a battle with Grosvenor and Ballymoney to avoid finishing in the bottom two places with just four matches remaining against Coleraine, Ballymoney, Donaghadee and Academy. When these two sides met at Blaris in December Coleraine ran out 34-26 winners.
Coleraine Head coach Richard Boyd, his coaches and players, are excited and ready for the challenge of the final four league games. For them it has been a great season so far and it is good to still be ‘in the hunt’ for promotion. Lisburn will be tough opponents as they try to get themselves clear of the relegation battle and is a better team than its league position suggests.
The visitors are boosted by the return of No.8 Brian Hughes to the starting line up with utility back Cameron Jenks coming into the team. They come in to replace the injured DD Andrews and the unavailable Steven Callaghan.
Enniskillen v Donaghadee
The visit of ‘Dee is a game ‘Skins’ need to win as they trail second-placed Coleraine by 13 points, but with two games in hand. Head Coach Norman Richmond’s Enniskillen side play no fewer than six league games against Donaghadee, Carrickfergus – home and away - Academy, Coleraine and Randalstown, and that’s a difficult schedule if it is to finish in the top two. Donaghadee has suffered two heavy defeats, against Randalstown and Bangor in the last two weeks, with Head Coach John West aware his team need to start picking up league points to avoid being caught up in a relegation battle.
‘Dee has seven league matches left and will look for a strong finish to the season after being relegated from Qualifying One last season. When these two sides met at Donaldson Park in December Donaghadee ran out convincing winners 33-7.
Richmond is convinced that this under-par performance was a reality check for his players, and since that defeat Enniskillen has recorded five league wins and progressed to the semi-finals of the Towns’ Cup, and is undefeated in 2016. Every player knows now that their performance and attitude each Saturday must be right with no room for error.
The team is largely unchanged this week from recent games, but John Courtney returns to the side to replace the unavailable Ricky Lee. Richmond hopes his team can turn the tables on ‘the Dee’ on Saturday, but is acutely aware that the North Down team will be no pushovers.
Grosvenor v Academy
The Belmont side has five games left to play, all at home, starting with Academy this weekend, then Larne, Ballymoney, Donaghadee and Randalstown. It’s in an ‘arm wrestle’ with Ballymoney and Lisburn to avoid relegation to Qualifying Three.
Grosvenor lost narrowly by 23-17 at league leaders Carrickfergus last weekend, while Academy is on a six-match unbeaten run and has six league games left to play: against Grosvenor, Randalstown, Enniskillen, Ballymoney, Lisburn and Donaghadee.
There’s also the little matter of a McCrea Cup semi-final match with Malone 2nds on Saturday week. And the home side will take confidence from the last meeting of the sides in September at Roughfort, Grosvenor running out 37-22 winners.
Randalstown v Carrickfergus
Now this is an intriguing contest Intriguing match at Nelisbrook Park, with Randalstown are coming off the back of a convincing 45-5, seven-try win at Donaldson Park over Donaghadee last weekend. With five matches after this week, against Academy, Larne, Donaghadee, Enniskillen and Grosvenor, it’s Randalstown who’ll have a big say in the outcome of this league. Coaches Gary Longwell and Alastair Strange are building a Randalstown squad designed to push for promotion next season.
Carrick were pushed all the way by Randalstown when these two teams met at the Tom Simms Memorial playing fields in December, Carrick recording a narrow 11-5 win. Carrick's priority this season has been to secure promotion to Qualifying One, and Neil Hanna’s team is just four matches away from achieving that goal: with the game against Randalstown followed by Enniskillen – at home and in Fermanagh - and Coleraine. It’s a difficult ‘run-in’ for Neil Hanna and his players, but the side’s consistency and its ability all over the pitch can navigate it towards the top division.
Longwell, who is a great admirer of the way Hanna has driven Carrick to the verge of promotion, will do his best to make his friend wait a little longer to celebrate elevation to the top division, and two well-organised teams promise a really compelling encounter.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Holywood v Letterkenny
Monaghan v Lurgan
Ophir v Limavady
PSNI v Civil Service
Strabane v Newry
UUC v BHSFP
2ND XV LEAGUE
Ballymena v Ballynahinch
Banbridge v Belfast Harlequins