Preview of this weekend's club rugby action across Ulster...
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE
In Div 1B Ballynahinch lost 16 – 13 at home to Eddie O’Sullivan’s Old Belvedere team with Banbridge holding on for a narrow 32 – 30 win over UL Bohemians at Rifle Park. The results meant Shannon won the league after defeating UCC to secure the automatic promotion place into Div 1A next season. By virtue of their win Banbridge moved into second place and have home advantage against near neighbours Ballynahinch in the playoff semi final this week at Rifle Park. Ballymena made it three wins from three to finish in 7th place five points ahead of 9th place UL Bohemians.
In Div 2A Malone required a late points surge to defeat Nenagh Ormond 43 -19 at Gibson Park to lift the Div 2A title in front of their home supporters. Against the odds City of Armagh travelled to Dr Hickey Park and defeated Greystones 24 – 14 to secure a bonus point win that lifted them ahead of 4th place Nenagh to finish in 3rd place. They will now travel to Cork this week to face 2nd place Highfield. Queens University made it two wins from two scoring six tries in their 38 – 28 win over 10th place Galway Corinthians at the Dub.
In Div 2B only Belfast Harlequins won as they made it three wins from three as they prepare for a semi final playoff match at Deramore Park this week with Malahide after winning 20 – 15 at Navan RFC. Second place Rainey travelled to league winners Old Crescent before going down 28 – 8. It was their third defeat in their last four UBL games with the team taking on third place MU Barnhall in the playoff semi final at Hatrick Park on Saturday. It was a seventh defeat in a row for Head coach Andy Hughes and his Dungannon players after they went down 32 – 17 away to Skerries to finish in 8th place. City of Derry completed their league programme with a 39 – 20 defeat at the Craig Thompson Stadium after leading their opponents Wanderers 20 – 15 at halftime.
In Div 2C the story is all about Omagh after their return to the All Ireland league this season. Their 19 – 14 win over Bruff pushed them up into second place. The result gives them home advantage in the playoff semi final against Limerick visitors Thomond this week. Bangor knew they were safe before travelling to Tullamore in County Offaly. Once again as last season Bangor struggled in the second half of the season and survived by a mere point after suffering a heavy 42 – 12 defeat at the weekend.
Six of the Ulster teams have extended their season by their involvement in the upcoming play offs. We have the fourth meeting of Banbridge and Ballynahinch this season with the next instalment taking place at Rifle Park with so much at stake for both teams. Banbridge have won the two UBL games with Ballynahinch with Ballynahinch winning the Ulster premiership game between the two teams. Whoever wins will potentially play formidable Dublin side St Mary’s if they overcome the students from Cork UCC. Who would have ever said Banbridge would be challenging for promotion in successive seasons after winning the Div 2A title last season. Ballymena Head coach Andy Graham was delighted with the attitude and commitment shown by his players to defeat Old Wesley 22 – 21 at Eaton Park. The coach had to deal with the unavailability of David Shanahan and Brett Herron at half back with Michael Stronge and Callum Patterson teaming up in their place. With no available backs it was a case of naming five forward replacements on the bench. Once again Dominic Gallagher had to fill in on the wing after centre Alan Smyth picked up an injury with James Beattie moving in from the wing and Dominic replacing him. Once again it was the bench replacements who had a big impact on the result with Josh Bill, James Taggart, Conor Smyth and Stephen Mulholland joining the action in the second half. City of Armagh will take confidence from their win at Greystones as they look to join Banbridge, Ballynahinch, Ballymena and Malone in playing Section 1 rugby. What a boost for club rugby in Ulster if they can make it five teams in Section 1.
Queens University started strongly this season and then went on a nine match losing run before they secured their future in Div 2A with back to back wins. Lack of strength in depth was an issue with the coaching team of Derek Suffern and DJ Creighton having much work to do to move the team forward next season. Can Rainey OB make it back to back promotions? They have a tough semi final at home to MU Barnhall before contemplating a final possibly away to Greystones to make it into Div 2A. The loss of back rower Paul Pritchard and their South African hooker Brad Roberts to injury has certainly impacted on the team. Big challenge lies ahead for Head coach john Andrew’s and his players. Belfast Harlequins Head coach Nicky Wells will be pleased by the response of his players in winning their last three games. Play offs are all about momentum and despite the loss of their influential back Mattie McKenzie who is returning to NZ the coach will be hoping his players can overcome Malahide who like Omagh were only promoted to the All Ireland League this season. Out in the West of the province Omagh have been flying the flag for the Ulster UBL teams. What an achievement it would be if they can secure a place in Div 2B next season. Potentially if both Quins and Omagh win this weekend the two teams will meet in the playoff final at Deramore Park on Saturday week the 28th April.
There is also the small matter of the Round Robin Play offs with the second round games this weekend. For the winner there is a place in the All Ireland league next season. For the runners up there will be a playoff match against 9th place Bruff in Limerick on the 5thMay. Ulster representatives Instonians will be disappointed they only came away with a 24 – 24 draw at Leinster league winners Ashbourne. They led 24 -14 only to concede two late tries after Lewis McNamara received a yellow card. Big winners in the opening round were Connacht league winners Ballina who picked up the maximum five points at home to Munster side Bandon. Instonians and Ballina meet at Shaws bridge on Saturday with Instonians needing to pick up five points before they travel to play Bandon away on the 28th April. These two teams have already met this season in the All Ireland Junior Cup at Hefferan Park in Ballina with the home side winning a tight game 6 – 3. Ashbourne will be favourites to pick up maximum points in their game away to Bandon.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 1
In Ulster several Kukri Ulster Championship teams will be hoping that Instonians secure their place in the All Ireland League next season. The result would see Dromore who finished 5th in Div 1 take their place in the AIL Junior Cup. We had the first of the Ulster Rugby Championship play offs last Saturday at Chambers Park with Portadown retaining their place in Div 1 after defeating Randalstown 36 – 20. The home side were able to field their strongest team this season and ran in six tries after leading 17 – 13 at halftime. Promotion for Instonians would see Randalstown replace them in Div 1. We have the Div 2/3 playoff this weekend at the Sam Logan stadium home of the Ulster University Coleraine rugby team between UUC and Donaghadee. UUC will be looking to make sure of their place in Div 2 with a win without relying on Instonians. As I said potentially interesting couple of weeks coming up for Dromore, Randalstown or either UUC or Donaghadee.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2
League Champions Grosvenor will be looking to maintain their unbeaten league record this season when they entertain 7th place Larne at Gibson Park on Saturday in their final league game. Larne Head coach Graham Cloke will be looking his players to end their four match losing run as the team has slipped into the bottom half of the league table. Ards coach John West was delighted to see his Ards team finish in 3rd place in the league. He felt it was just reward for the effort the playing squad put in this season. He was especially pleased for Captain Andy Foster who led by example on and off the pitch. He grew into the captaincy as the season progressed. Lisburn secured their place in Div 2 winning three and drawing one of their last four league games to finish comfortably in 8th place. The addition of Nathan Moore to the coaching staff at Xmas played a major role in the turnaround of the team in the second half of the season. Director of Rugby Michael Knowles is pleased that Lisburn rugby club have retained the services of Andy Posthlewaite and Nathan Moore for next season. The goal for the club is to strengthen their playing squad in the off season.
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE PLAY OFFS
DIV 1A
Lansdowne (1) v Garryowen (4)
Terenure College (2) v Cork Constitution (3)
DIV 1B
St Mary’s College (9th Div 1A) v UCC (4th Div 1B)
Banbridge (2nd Div 1B) v Ballynahinch (3rd Div 1B)
DIV 2A
UL Bohemians (9th Div 1B) v Nenagh Ormond (4th Div 2A)
Highfield (2nd Div 2A) v City of Armagh (3rd Div 2A)
Div 2B
Greystones (9th Div 2A) v Navan RFC (4th Div 2B)
Rainey OB (2nd Div 2B) v MU Barnhall (3rd Div 2B)
DIV 2C
Belfast Harlequins (9th Div 2B) v Malahide (4th Div 2C)
Omagh (2nd Div Div 2B) v Thomond (3rd Div 2C)
ROUND ROBIN PLAYOFFS: ROUND 2
Bandon (Munster) v Ashbourne RFC (Leinster)
Instonians (Ulster) v Ballina (Connacht)
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMP/CONF DIV 1
Ballyclare v City of Armagh seconds. Thursday 19.4.18. KO 7.45PM.
ULSTER RUGBY PREMIERSHIP 2ND XV LEAGUE
Malone seconds v Omagh seconds. Tuesday 24.4.18. KO 7.45PM
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2
Grosvenor v Larne
Head coach Robert Ford and his players will be looking to end their season with 18/18 wins when they meet Larne at Gibson Park on Saturday. Apart from the long term absentees the coach will be without Peter Davison, Adam Skelton and Mark Johnston. Stuart McIIwaine will return to the backline with Taylor Pollock getting another start in the back row.
ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2 & 3 PLAYOFFS
UUC v Donaghadee
ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 3
BHSFP V Letterkenny
Virginia v Monaghan
Preview by George Millar
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE
In Div 1B Ballynahinch lost 16 – 13 at home to Eddie O’Sullivan’s Old Belvedere team with Banbridge holding on for a narrow 32 – 30 win over UL Bohemians at Rifle Park. The results meant Shannon won the league after defeating UCC to secure the automatic promotion place into Div 1A next season. By virtue of their win Banbridge moved into second place and have home advantage against near neighbours Ballynahinch in the playoff semi final this week at Rifle Park. Ballymena made it three wins from three to finish in 7th place five points ahead of 9th place UL Bohemians.
In Div 2A Malone required a late points surge to defeat Nenagh Ormond 43 -19 at Gibson Park to lift the Div 2A title in front of their home supporters. Against the odds City of Armagh travelled to Dr Hickey Park and defeated Greystones 24 – 14 to secure a bonus point win that lifted them ahead of 4th place Nenagh to finish in 3rd place. They will now travel to Cork this week to face 2nd place Highfield. Queens University made it two wins from two scoring six tries in their 38 – 28 win over 10th place Galway Corinthians at the Dub.
In Div 2B only Belfast Harlequins won as they made it three wins from three as they prepare for a semi final playoff match at Deramore Park this week with Malahide after winning 20 – 15 at Navan RFC. Second place Rainey travelled to league winners Old Crescent before going down 28 – 8. It was their third defeat in their last four UBL games with the team taking on third place MU Barnhall in the playoff semi final at Hatrick Park on Saturday. It was a seventh defeat in a row for Head coach Andy Hughes and his Dungannon players after they went down 32 – 17 away to Skerries to finish in 8th place. City of Derry completed their league programme with a 39 – 20 defeat at the Craig Thompson Stadium after leading their opponents Wanderers 20 – 15 at halftime.
In Div 2C the story is all about Omagh after their return to the All Ireland league this season. Their 19 – 14 win over Bruff pushed them up into second place. The result gives them home advantage in the playoff semi final against Limerick visitors Thomond this week. Bangor knew they were safe before travelling to Tullamore in County Offaly. Once again as last season Bangor struggled in the second half of the season and survived by a mere point after suffering a heavy 42 – 12 defeat at the weekend.
Six of the Ulster teams have extended their season by their involvement in the upcoming play offs. We have the fourth meeting of Banbridge and Ballynahinch this season with the next instalment taking place at Rifle Park with so much at stake for both teams. Banbridge have won the two UBL games with Ballynahinch with Ballynahinch winning the Ulster premiership game between the two teams. Whoever wins will potentially play formidable Dublin side St Mary’s if they overcome the students from Cork UCC. Who would have ever said Banbridge would be challenging for promotion in successive seasons after winning the Div 2A title last season. Ballymena Head coach Andy Graham was delighted with the attitude and commitment shown by his players to defeat Old Wesley 22 – 21 at Eaton Park. The coach had to deal with the unavailability of David Shanahan and Brett Herron at half back with Michael Stronge and Callum Patterson teaming up in their place. With no available backs it was a case of naming five forward replacements on the bench. Once again Dominic Gallagher had to fill in on the wing after centre Alan Smyth picked up an injury with James Beattie moving in from the wing and Dominic replacing him. Once again it was the bench replacements who had a big impact on the result with Josh Bill, James Taggart, Conor Smyth and Stephen Mulholland joining the action in the second half. City of Armagh will take confidence from their win at Greystones as they look to join Banbridge, Ballynahinch, Ballymena and Malone in playing Section 1 rugby. What a boost for club rugby in Ulster if they can make it five teams in Section 1.
Queens University started strongly this season and then went on a nine match losing run before they secured their future in Div 2A with back to back wins. Lack of strength in depth was an issue with the coaching team of Derek Suffern and DJ Creighton having much work to do to move the team forward next season. Can Rainey OB make it back to back promotions? They have a tough semi final at home to MU Barnhall before contemplating a final possibly away to Greystones to make it into Div 2A. The loss of back rower Paul Pritchard and their South African hooker Brad Roberts to injury has certainly impacted on the team. Big challenge lies ahead for Head coach john Andrew’s and his players. Belfast Harlequins Head coach Nicky Wells will be pleased by the response of his players in winning their last three games. Play offs are all about momentum and despite the loss of their influential back Mattie McKenzie who is returning to NZ the coach will be hoping his players can overcome Malahide who like Omagh were only promoted to the All Ireland League this season. Out in the West of the province Omagh have been flying the flag for the Ulster UBL teams. What an achievement it would be if they can secure a place in Div 2B next season. Potentially if both Quins and Omagh win this weekend the two teams will meet in the playoff final at Deramore Park on Saturday week the 28th April.
There is also the small matter of the Round Robin Play offs with the second round games this weekend. For the winner there is a place in the All Ireland league next season. For the runners up there will be a playoff match against 9th place Bruff in Limerick on the 5thMay. Ulster representatives Instonians will be disappointed they only came away with a 24 – 24 draw at Leinster league winners Ashbourne. They led 24 -14 only to concede two late tries after Lewis McNamara received a yellow card. Big winners in the opening round were Connacht league winners Ballina who picked up the maximum five points at home to Munster side Bandon. Instonians and Ballina meet at Shaws bridge on Saturday with Instonians needing to pick up five points before they travel to play Bandon away on the 28th April. These two teams have already met this season in the All Ireland Junior Cup at Hefferan Park in Ballina with the home side winning a tight game 6 – 3. Ashbourne will be favourites to pick up maximum points in their game away to Bandon.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 1
In Ulster several Kukri Ulster Championship teams will be hoping that Instonians secure their place in the All Ireland League next season. The result would see Dromore who finished 5th in Div 1 take their place in the AIL Junior Cup. We had the first of the Ulster Rugby Championship play offs last Saturday at Chambers Park with Portadown retaining their place in Div 1 after defeating Randalstown 36 – 20. The home side were able to field their strongest team this season and ran in six tries after leading 17 – 13 at halftime. Promotion for Instonians would see Randalstown replace them in Div 1. We have the Div 2/3 playoff this weekend at the Sam Logan stadium home of the Ulster University Coleraine rugby team between UUC and Donaghadee. UUC will be looking to make sure of their place in Div 2 with a win without relying on Instonians. As I said potentially interesting couple of weeks coming up for Dromore, Randalstown or either UUC or Donaghadee.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2
League Champions Grosvenor will be looking to maintain their unbeaten league record this season when they entertain 7th place Larne at Gibson Park on Saturday in their final league game. Larne Head coach Graham Cloke will be looking his players to end their four match losing run as the team has slipped into the bottom half of the league table. Ards coach John West was delighted to see his Ards team finish in 3rd place in the league. He felt it was just reward for the effort the playing squad put in this season. He was especially pleased for Captain Andy Foster who led by example on and off the pitch. He grew into the captaincy as the season progressed. Lisburn secured their place in Div 2 winning three and drawing one of their last four league games to finish comfortably in 8th place. The addition of Nathan Moore to the coaching staff at Xmas played a major role in the turnaround of the team in the second half of the season. Director of Rugby Michael Knowles is pleased that Lisburn rugby club have retained the services of Andy Posthlewaite and Nathan Moore for next season. The goal for the club is to strengthen their playing squad in the off season.
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE PLAY OFFS
DIV 1A
Lansdowne (1) v Garryowen (4)
Terenure College (2) v Cork Constitution (3)
DIV 1B
St Mary’s College (9th Div 1A) v UCC (4th Div 1B)
Banbridge (2nd Div 1B) v Ballynahinch (3rd Div 1B)
DIV 2A
UL Bohemians (9th Div 1B) v Nenagh Ormond (4th Div 2A)
Highfield (2nd Div 2A) v City of Armagh (3rd Div 2A)
Div 2B
Greystones (9th Div 2A) v Navan RFC (4th Div 2B)
Rainey OB (2nd Div 2B) v MU Barnhall (3rd Div 2B)
DIV 2C
Belfast Harlequins (9th Div 2B) v Malahide (4th Div 2C)
Omagh (2nd Div Div 2B) v Thomond (3rd Div 2C)
ROUND ROBIN PLAYOFFS: ROUND 2
Bandon (Munster) v Ashbourne RFC (Leinster)
Instonians (Ulster) v Ballina (Connacht)
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMP/CONF DIV 1
Ballyclare v City of Armagh seconds. Thursday 19.4.18. KO 7.45PM.
ULSTER RUGBY PREMIERSHIP 2ND XV LEAGUE
Malone seconds v Omagh seconds. Tuesday 24.4.18. KO 7.45PM
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2
Grosvenor v Larne
Head coach Robert Ford and his players will be looking to end their season with 18/18 wins when they meet Larne at Gibson Park on Saturday. Apart from the long term absentees the coach will be without Peter Davison, Adam Skelton and Mark Johnston. Stuart McIIwaine will return to the backline with Taylor Pollock getting another start in the back row.
ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2 & 3 PLAYOFFS
UUC v Donaghadee
ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 3
BHSFP V Letterkenny
Virginia v Monaghan
Preview by George Millar