Club Rugby Preview - 09 Mar 2019

Preview of this weekend’s club rugby action in the All Ireland League and Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship... ALL IRELAND LEAGUE ROUND 15 DIV 1A Clontarf (3) v Shannon (7) Cork Constitution (1) v Lansdowne (2) Terenure College (10) v UCC (8) UCD (6) v Garryowen (5) Young Munster (9) v Dublin Uni (4) DIV 1B Ballymena (10) v Banbridge (9) Buccaneers (7) v Ballynahinch (3) City of Armagh (4) v St Mary’s College (5) Naas (6) v Old Wesley (1) Old Belvedere (8) v Malone (2) Ballymena v Banbridge Ballymena Head coach Andy Graham: Despite the precarious position the 1st xv find themselves in - the coach is convinced his team can retain their place in Div 1B starting with an win over Ulster rivals Banbridge at Eaton Park this week with four games remaining. The coach was disappointed his side did not come away with points from their match at City of Armagh. His playing squad does not have enough quality players to finish the chances off they are creating. As he pointed out they created five clear chances but could not finish them off along with two other opportunities. The team kept possession for long periods against City of Armagh. 2/3 mistakes gifted Armagh tries. The coach felt Armagh were the better team and were more clinical with ball in hand and deserved their win. He feels the Ballymena team are not far away from performing for 80 mins. The difficulty is breaking that cycle of a losing run. Every one of his players worked hard. This weekend is about his players performing against Banbridge. He acknowledges Banbridge represent a big challenge for his players. It is about his team fighting for their lives. In this league things can be turned around very quickly. His team cannot afford to lose against Banbridge with Old Belvedere and Buccaneers playing at home. The numbers attending training are 4 + with a positive environment in the playing squad. Missing from the playing squad this weekend are Stephen Mulholland, Bruce Houston, David Whann, Jonny McMullan, Rodger McBurney and Mark Foster. The coach has been full of praise for the efforts of Captain Marcus Rea and his leadership on the pitch. Connor Smyth has been another example of a player who gives 100% in every match. He is awaiting confirmation that John Andrews and Clive Ross will be released this week. Winger Jordan Foster is not available. JJ McKee has been training with the Ireland Under 20 squad this week. Ballymena team 1. Nacho Clandero Crespo, 2. John Andrews, 3. Chris Cundell, 4. JJ McKee, 5. Connor Smyth, 6/7/8 from Matthew Dick, Marcus Rea, Clive Ross and Phil Campbell, 9. Michael Stronge, 10. Timmy Small. 11. Glenn Baillie, 12. Darrell Montgomery, 13. Paddy James, 14. Jonny Rossborough, 15. Matthew Norris, 16/17/18 from James Taggart, Josh Bill, Andrew Ferguson, Jonny Spence, Phil Campbell, Matthew Dick, Connor White. 20. Alan Smyth. Andy Graham is delighted to have a settled backline for the second week running. It has been a case of players in and out during the season. It is a matter of finding out what suits and what works. The coach is expecting a very difficult game against Banbridge. Saturday is about looking after the ball and working hard to keep possession. He is hoping the consistency in selection will help the players to be more creative and clinical in finishing off the chances they are creating. There is an air of positivity at Ballymena RFC with the club fielding five adult teams. The Youth Section continues to grow and develop each season with young back row forward Phil Campbell the latest player to come through from the Youth section to play for the Clubs 1st xv. The emphasis at the club is to look after all the players whether they play for the 1st xv or the 5th xv. This season the club have provided a coach for all teams to travel to one or two matches. This approach makes all the teams and their players feel important and that they all have a connection with the club. Off the field the club are in a good position and have ambitious plans to improve their facilities at Eaton Park. Ulster releases: Marcus Rea with John Andrews and Clive Ross TBC. Both Bruce Houston and Azur Allison remain on the injured list. Banbridge Head coach Simon McKinstry knows his side are a win away from making the top four . That is the sort of league Div 1B has been this season. It is all about winning the next game and seeing where that takes the team. He agrees Old Wesley are an useful side. He felt his team were in the game after trailing 10 – 0 at halftime last weekend. The team put themselves in good positions but handling errors cost them dearly. Old Wesley got the first score of the second half  to put themselves in a strong position. He had no excuses – Old Wesley were the better team and deserved the win. The video viewing on Tuesday night highlighted the handling errors during the match. Both Jonny Little and Ethan Harbinson  picked up injuries with both doubtful for Saturday. The coaches will await the release of Greg Jones, Jonny Stewart and Caleb Montgomery by Ulster Rugby. Alex Thompson played his last game for Banbridge as he headed off to NZ this week before he joins up with Jersey in the summer. Connacht hooker Jonny Murphy is ruled out of the remaining games as he has only played two AIL games for Banbridge. Out half Josh Cromie missed the Old Wesley game because of injury and remains a doubt for the Ballymena game. Both  David McCann and Callum Reid have been training with the Ireland under 20 squad this week. Hugo Harbinson is ruled out with a fracture he picked up against Ballynahinch. Two weeks ago Banbridge played Malone to go top of the league. Two weeks later they find themselves in 9th place. It is all about the team winning the next game. The coach is expecting a difficult game at Ballymena. Banbridge find themselves just one place above 10th place Ballymena. He wants his team to play the way he knows they can play to win on Saturday. Banbridge are on a three match losing run at present in the AIL. Ulster releases: James Hume released with Caleb Montgomery, David McCann, Greg Jones and Jonny Stewart TBC. In the Round 4 meeting at Rifle Park on the 27.10 18 Banbridge won 38 – 8 at Rifle Park Buccaneers v Ballynahinch Ballynahinch coach Tom Rock: Delighted his players backed up their win over Banbridge with another win at home to Naas. The players are working hard with their work ethic and their ability to close out games helping them to ground out wins. He feels that the team is able to win games at present that they maybe would have lost. The defeat at home to Old Wesley has been a turning point. Banbridge were second in the league when they played Ballynahinch. Now they find themselves in 9th place. With only four games left in the league it is tight. No one team is safe or secure in this league. Ballynahinch are developing a young squad to challenge for promotion this season after missing out in the playoffs last season. These are exciting times at the club. He feels the team could be top of the league if they had been more clinical against Old Wesley. It is all about building momentum going into these remaining games. The players have learned from their experience on missing out last season. Last Saturday against Naas – Ballynahinch played against 40 mph winds at Ballymacarn Park in the first half. They turned around 5 – 0 down and managed the game well to win. He felt the players were smart in how they managed the game using their scrum effectively in the difficult conditions as an alternative to kicking the ball. This week they travel to play a Buccaneers side fighting for their lives. The squad picked up no injuries at the weekend apart from sore bodies after a physical game with Naas. The coaches are aware it will take another huge effort from the players to win this match at Dubarry Park in Athlone. Second row James Simpson remains an injury doubt after missing the match with Naas. Back row forward Ollie Loughead remains unavailable due to injury. Prop Campbell Classon is targeting a return for the final block of games. Prop Kelvin Hamilton came through the the seconds match at Banbridge last Friday night. What impressed the coaches in the seconds match was the performances put in by winger Joe Bingham who scored two tries and loose head prop Scott Connolly the former Down High School player. Injuries continue to rule out second xv players Ralph Mealiff, Ronan Patterson and Daniel Dawson with work and family commitments ruling out second xv Captain Matthew Norton. The second xv are a young team that have experienced a lot of turnover in playing personnel this season. The club are excited about this crop of young players with Tom Martin another player to impress this season. Ulster releases: Johnny McPhillips, Peter Nelson, Tom O’Toole, Zack McCall and Jack Regan TBC.  Injury rules out Aaron Hall with Iwan Hughes involved with sevens programme. In the Round 4 meeting at Ballymacarn Park on 27.10.18 Ballynahinch won a high scoring game 42 – 31. City of Armagh v St Mary’s College Chris Parker City of Armagh: Jonny Morton has returned to training this week and comes into contention for selection. Winger Andrew Willis has returned to training and will not be fit for this weekend. Prop Daryl Morton got game time with the seconds against Ballymena and will come into contention for the 1st xv. In the Round 4 meeting at Templeville Road on 27.10.18 St Mary’s College won 27 – 11. Old Belvedere v Malone Malone Head coach Paddy Armstrong: The weather dictated the game against Buccaneers last weekend. Training has been very good this week with the coaches and players looking forward to the challenge Old Belvedere will present. Ben McCaughey should come into contention this week with the coach expecting few changes depending on physio calls. Ulster releases: Joe Dunleavy, Graham Curtis and Matty Dalton with release of Jack Owens, Ross Kane and Adam McBurney TBC. Injury continues to rule out Stewart Moore and Matty Agnew. In the Round 4 meeting at Gibson Park on 27.10.18 Malone defeated Old Belvedere 39 - 11 DIV 2A Cashel RFC (2) v Galwegians (10) Dolphin (7) v Highfield (1) Navan RFC (3) v Old Crescent (6) Queens University (4) v Nenagh Ormond (8) UL Bohemians (5) v Blackrock College (9) Queens University v Nenagh Ormond Queens made it four wins from five in 2019 to pick up 20/25 points to move into the playoffs. This week coaches Derek Suffern and DJ Creighton welcome back Andrew McGrath, Andrew Weir, Curtis Pollock and Davy Chambers into contention for a place in the matchday 20 against Nenagh Ormond at the Dub. Conor McAuley, Nicky Woods and Conor Shiels remain on the injured list and are expected to be available for the final block of matches. Jack Sleator and Toby Jozwiak are expected to be replaced by Davy Chambers and either Curtis Pollock/Andrew McGrath on the bench. Former Bangor Grammar and Bangor RFC second row Martin Withers continues to press hard for a stating place on the 1st xv as he provides cover from the bench. In Round 4 meeting at New Ormond Park on 27.10.18 Nenagh Ormond defeated Queens Uni 32 – 31 in a high scoring match DIV 2B Dungannon (8) v Sunday’s Well (10) Galway Corinthians (5) v Rainey OB (3) Greystones (2) v Skerries (7) MU Barnhall (1) v Belfast Harlequins (9) Wanderers (6) v Sligo (4) Dungannon v Sunday’s Well Dungannon Head coach Andrew Hughes: The Head coach has a clean bill of health from their impressive win over Galway Corinthians last Saturday with the usual bumps and bruises from the weekend game. Lucca Avelli did not train on Tuesday night but is expected to be fit. Scrum half John Russell is unavailable this week and will be replaced by Conor Milnes otherwise the team is expected to be similar to last week. The key for Dungannon is getting through the next two games against Sunday’s Well and Belfast Harlequins. The positives for the coaches are the players are starting to get to know each other and their roles on the pitch. With greater numbers attending training there is a togetherness in the squad with the different combinations coming together. The coach has a squad of 22/25 players training and competing for places on the 1st xv. He is pleased to see how the unit at 8, 9, 10 and 12 is gelling together. Scrum half John Russell has been a key player with his performances this season in particular his defensive work. The return of number 8 James McMahon has had a big impact on the playing squad. He is a different class with his confidence growing as he gets more game time. Alex Gormley who joined the club from Enniskillen is another player who is playing out of his skin for the team. Captain Mark Riddell continues to get stronger as his fitness level improves with his back row colleague David Leyburn putting in his usual hard shift. Both hookers Malcolm Allister and Daniel Maxwell continue to impress. With the numbers at training there is a different attitude with the players buying into and understanding what the team are trying to achieve from the remaining games. The only decision the coach has to make for this weekend is whether to go with four forwards and one back on his bench or a three and two split. He is pleased to see Jordan McIIwaine, Jonny Toal and Sean O’Hagan getting valuable game time for the seconds in their win over Belfast Harlequins seconds last Saturday. All these players will be needed for the remaining four AIL games.  Centre Mark Faloon is unavailable for the remainder of the season with winger Andrew McPhillips another week away from being fit for selection. Against Galway Corinthians the bench had a big impact. For the players it is all about winning to keep their interest in the remaining matches. Forwards Stephen Todd, Daniel Maxwell and Glenn Sinnamon made a big impact off the bench with backs Conor McGeough and Conor Milnes getting game time in the second half. For the Dungannon players every game is a Cup Final as the players fight to keep their place in Div 2B this season. Sunday’s Well are a frustrating team to play against. They will scrap for everything. Discipline will be important. Last season they took Dungannon on up front and over powered their pack. The coaches are expecting a hugely physical game. With every game a Cup Final the players have responded well. In the Round 4 meeting at Irish Independent Park on 27.10.18 Sunday’s Well defeated Dungannon 20 – 8. Galway Corinthians v Rainey OB John Andrews Rainey OB Head coach: Andy Harbinson and Jack McIntosh return to the squad this week with winger Scott Mc Lean ruled out after picking up an injury at Skerries last Saturday. In the Round 4 meeting at Hatrick Park on 27.10.18 Rainey defeated Galway Corinthians 21 – 17. MU Barnhall v Belfast Harlequins In the Round 4 meeting at Deramore Park on 27.10.18 MU Barnhall defeated Belfast Harlequins 38 - 21 DIV 2C Ballina (1) v Bruff (3) City of Derry (8) v Bangor (7) Midleton (2) v Omagh (4) Thomond (10) v Malahide (5) Tullamore (6) v Seapoint (9) City of Derry v Bangor City of Derry Director of Rugby Paul O’Kane is expecting to make a few changes this week with selection to be finalised on Thursday night. Squad: 1. James Hamilton, 2 David Ferguson, 3. Barry Laverty, 4. Adam Bratton, 5. Conor McMenamin, 6. Craig Huey, 7. Chris Lamberton, 8. Stephen Corr (Capt), 9. Rory McGinty, 10. Alex McDonnell, 11. Thomas Cole, 12. David Graham, 13. David Lapsley, 14. James Perry, 15. Keelan Coyle, 16. Steven Duffy/Callum O’Hagan/ Ian Bratton, 17. Ross Harkin, 18. Gerard Doherty, 19. Tiernan Thorton, 20. Phil Duffy. Injury and unavailability rules our Simon Logue, Sam Duffy, Ben Pollin and Cathal Cregan. Paul O’Kane and his players are expecting another tight Ulster derby with Bangor. Bangor Head coach Michael Ferguson: Bangor have picked up injuries from their loss at home to Tullamore with Philip Whyte, Jamie Clegg, Gareth Millar and Adam Alexander all ruled out this weekend.Charlie Clegg comes into the front row with Ethan Murray starting in the back row. In the backline Ally Lockhart starts at 9 with Liam Preston moving to 10. Phil Broderick returns to the backline after missing the match last Saturday. The coach is still to finalise his squad at training on Thursday night. He feels there has been a lot of improvement in the teams performances of late without getting the rewards due to the team. The coaches and players are hoping to turns things a round with a win at City of Derry this week. In the Round 4 meeting at Upritchard Park on 27.10.18 Bangor defeated City of Derry 27 – 10 Middleton v Omagh In the Round 4 meeting at the Thomas Mellon playing Fields Midleton defeated Omagh 29 - 7 KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 1 CIYMS (9) v Cooke (6) Coleraine (10) v Ballyclare (2) Dromore (3) v Grosvenor (4) Instonians (1) v Carrickfergus (5) Portadown (7) v Enniskillen (8) CIYMS v Cooke When the two teams met at Shaws bridge on the 8.12.18 Cooke defeated CIYMS 34 – 20. Coleraine v Ballyclare In their first meeting at the Cloughan on the 8.12.18 Ballyclare won 40 – 8 Dromore v Grosvenor In the first meeting at Gibson Park on the 8.12.18 Dromore won 46 – 7 Instonians v Carrickfergus In their first meeting at the Tom Simms Memorial Grounds on the 8.12.18 Instonians won a close game 8 – 3. Portadown v Enniskillen When the two teams met at Mullaghmeen on the 29.12.18 Portadown won a close game 7 - 3 KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 1 Cooke v Ballyclare. Played Tuesday 12th March 2019. KO 7.30PM In their first meeting at the Cloughan on the 13.10.18 Ballyclare won 32 – 5. ULSTER PREMIERSHIP 2ND XV LEAGUE Ballynahinch seconds (2) v City of Armagh seconds (1) Banbridge seconds (5) v Ballymena seconds (4). Playing as a Double Header. KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2 Academy (3) v Lisburn (9) Ballymoney (5) v Lurgan (7) Clogher Valley (2) v Ards (6) Larne (8) v UUC (10) Randalstown (4) v Limavady (1) Academy v Lisburn In their first meeting at Blaris on the 22.9.18 Academy won a high scoring game 44 – 29. Ballymoney v Lurgan In their first meeting at Pollack Park on the 22.9.18 Lurgan won a high scoring game 39 – 19. Clogher Valley v Ards In their first meeting at Hamilton Park on 6.10.18 Clogher Valley won a high scoring game 22 – 19. Larne v UUC In their first meeting at UUC on the 22.9.18 Larne won a close game 20 – 15. Randalstown v Limavady In their first meeting at the John Hunter Playing Fields on the 6.10.18 Limavady were convincing winners – winning 48 – 8. GORDON WEST CUP SEMI FINALS Donaghadee v Cavan Monaghan v Holywood --- Preview compiled by George Millar