Preview of the upcoming club rugby action this weekend...
Last weekend was another dramatic weekend for Ulster clubs in the Ulster Bank All Ireland League.
Malone came up just short after trailing 13 – 8 at Dolphin with a late intercept try denying the Gibson Park side a place in the Div 1B/2A playoff final. If they had won this match they would have faced a fourth trip to Munster to play Tipperary side Nenagh Ormond. Armagh required extra time to defeat Dublin side Wanderers 20 -15 to claim a home playoff final against Limerick side Old Crescent. Rainey OB built on a strong first half performance at Sligo to come through 30 – 21. They will now host County Offaly side Tullamore at Hatrick Park on Saturday. Omagh required a strong defensive effort in the second half to see off Munster side Clonmel 25 – 13 to progress through to play Boyne in the playoff match in Drogheda this week.
In Ulster there will be three teams in the Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship watching the outcome of the Omagh match this weekend. A win for the County Tyrone side will see 5th place Enniskillen in Div 1 progress through to take their place in the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup next season. CIYMS in Div 2 would move up into Div 1 after losing their playoff match at Dromore with UUC retaining their place in Div 2 after losing their playoff match against the PSNI.
We have the Junior Inter Pros kicking off this weekend with Ulster hosting Munster in their first match at Randalstown RFC. The coaching team of Richard Boyd, Robert Ford and Michael Ferguson will be hoping to start with a win as they look to reclaim the Inter Pro title last won by Ulster in 2015.
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE PLAYOFF FINALS
DIV 1A/B
Garryowen V UL Bohemians
DIV 1B/2A
Dolphin v Nenagh Ormond
DIV 2A/2B
Armagh v Old Crescent
It was a tense and nervous finish for the followers of Armagh as the 1st xv squad had to dig deep to win 20 – 15 at home to Wanderers AET. They are now one match away from securing promotion to Div 2A next season if they can overcome visitors Old Crescent. The Limerick side showed how dangerous they will be as they scored six tries to defeat Sunday Wells 46 – 21 at Irish Independent Park.
Armagh Head coach Alex McCloy retains the same squad that defeated Wanderers with John Faloon and Matthew Hooks continuing in their centre partnership in place of the unavailable Chris Colvin and Stuart Lester. The Armagh replacements David Swann, Daryl Morton, Ollie Morton, Peter Elliott, Cormac Fox, Kyle Faloon and TC Campbell all had a big impact on the outcome of the match with Cormac Fox influencing the game in the second half and winger Kyle Faloon scoring the all important try in the first period of extra time to seal the win. Winger Andrew Willis looked dangerous with ball in hand and scored a fine individual try. Once again Captain Ali Birch will have a crucial role in guiding his players through this match.
Armagh have won both fixtures involving these two teams in the UBL. In the first meeting at the Palace Grounds on the 5.11.16 Armagh won 21 – 9. In the return game at Rosbrien in Limerick on the 18.2.17 Armagh won 30 – 19.
Old Crescent secured promotion to Div 2B this season after winning Div 2C last season. Like Armagh they are one match away from securing promotion.
DIV 2B/2C
Rainey OB v Tullamore
It was a case of Rainey indiscipline unnerving the Rainey supporters as the team was reduced to 13 players in their 30 – 21 at Hamilton Park last Saturday against Sligo. With Tullamore travelling to Donny brook the County Offaly side overcame Bective Rangers 22 – 15 to set up a playoff final at Hatrick Park in Magherfelt this weekend.
Rainey Head coach John Andrews adds Oisin Quinn to the squad that won at Sligo. The coach is delighted with the form being shown by his players as they look forward to this home final after the struggles of the last two years. This is a great opportunity for the players to bounce back stronger after the struggles over the last two years.
In form Rainey full back Scott McLean has been in prolific goal kicking form scoring 54 points in his last four matches.
Rainey have defeated Tullamore in their two UBL matches this season. In the first game at Spollanstown on the 12.11.16 Rainey won 25 – 21. In the return match Rainey won another close encounter 25 – 22 at Hatrick Park.
Rainey lost out in the playoffs last season after finishing 9th in Div 2B to avoid relegation to Div 2C. Under the guidance of Head coach John Andrews they are one match away from making a quick return to Div 2B.
Tullamore made the Div 2B/2C Playoff final last season at home to Wanderers only to lose 24 – 13.
DIV 2C/Round Robin Runner Up
Boyne v Omagh
Omagh Head coach Philip Marshall and his team play their 33rd match of the season when they travel to Shamrock Park in Drogheda to play Boyne for a place in Div 2C next season. Nine months on from their first friendly game with Limavady on the 6th August the County Tyrone side are one match away from returning to the UBL. The Omagh players had to dig deep on Saturday after building up an early 19 – 3 lead against Munster Junior 1 league winners Clonmel to win 25 – 13. Three early tries from back row forwards James Catterson (2) and Mervyn Edgar (1) established an early lead that the County Tyrone side had to defend as Clonmel fought back to narrow the Omagh lead. Two late penalties from Lee Murphy and Scott Elliott were enough to earn Omagh a playoff match at Boyne.
Coach Phil Marshall makes one change to his squad with Stephen MacLaine replacing Matty Eccles. Omagh back row forward Mervyn Edgar has scored crucial tries against Malahide, Ballina and Clonmel. Can he make it four against Boyne. Scrum half Stewart McCain and number 8 James Catterson have led from the front throughout the season. Can they complete this marathon season with a win at Boyne and secure promotion to the UBL.
Boyne along with relegated Kanturk finished 8th and 7th in Div 2C last season. This season it went to the wire with Kanturk relegated after finishing 10th and Boyne 9th to secure a playoff after a strong finish to their UBL programme.
SONI ULSTER PREMIERSHIP DIVISION 1
City of Derry v Dungannon
This match at Judges Road on Saturday will decide who plays in Div 1 of the Ulster Premiership league next season. Both teams have played four games with no wins and no points.
The two teams have met in the UBL this season with City of Derry winning the first match on the 31.12.16 at Judges Road 16 – 15 with the North West side again winning another close match 18 – 17 at Stevenson Park.
Dungannon have conceded this match and will be relegated to Div 2 of the Ulster Rugby Premiership next season.
2ND XV LEAGUE PLAYOFF MATCH
Belfast Harlequins seconds v Queens Uni seconds. Played Thursday 27.4.17. Kick off 7.45PM
This match is being played as a playoff to decide which team will play in the 2nd xv league next season.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY/CONFERENCE DIV 2
Larne v Banbridge seconds
Last weekend was another dramatic weekend for Ulster clubs in the Ulster Bank All Ireland League.
Malone came up just short after trailing 13 – 8 at Dolphin with a late intercept try denying the Gibson Park side a place in the Div 1B/2A playoff final. If they had won this match they would have faced a fourth trip to Munster to play Tipperary side Nenagh Ormond. Armagh required extra time to defeat Dublin side Wanderers 20 -15 to claim a home playoff final against Limerick side Old Crescent. Rainey OB built on a strong first half performance at Sligo to come through 30 – 21. They will now host County Offaly side Tullamore at Hatrick Park on Saturday. Omagh required a strong defensive effort in the second half to see off Munster side Clonmel 25 – 13 to progress through to play Boyne in the playoff match in Drogheda this week.
In Ulster there will be three teams in the Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship watching the outcome of the Omagh match this weekend. A win for the County Tyrone side will see 5th place Enniskillen in Div 1 progress through to take their place in the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup next season. CIYMS in Div 2 would move up into Div 1 after losing their playoff match at Dromore with UUC retaining their place in Div 2 after losing their playoff match against the PSNI.
We have the Junior Inter Pros kicking off this weekend with Ulster hosting Munster in their first match at Randalstown RFC. The coaching team of Richard Boyd, Robert Ford and Michael Ferguson will be hoping to start with a win as they look to reclaim the Inter Pro title last won by Ulster in 2015.
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE PLAYOFF FINALS
DIV 1A/B
Garryowen V UL Bohemians
DIV 1B/2A
Dolphin v Nenagh Ormond
DIV 2A/2B
Armagh v Old Crescent
It was a tense and nervous finish for the followers of Armagh as the 1st xv squad had to dig deep to win 20 – 15 at home to Wanderers AET. They are now one match away from securing promotion to Div 2A next season if they can overcome visitors Old Crescent. The Limerick side showed how dangerous they will be as they scored six tries to defeat Sunday Wells 46 – 21 at Irish Independent Park.
Armagh Head coach Alex McCloy retains the same squad that defeated Wanderers with John Faloon and Matthew Hooks continuing in their centre partnership in place of the unavailable Chris Colvin and Stuart Lester. The Armagh replacements David Swann, Daryl Morton, Ollie Morton, Peter Elliott, Cormac Fox, Kyle Faloon and TC Campbell all had a big impact on the outcome of the match with Cormac Fox influencing the game in the second half and winger Kyle Faloon scoring the all important try in the first period of extra time to seal the win. Winger Andrew Willis looked dangerous with ball in hand and scored a fine individual try. Once again Captain Ali Birch will have a crucial role in guiding his players through this match.
Armagh have won both fixtures involving these two teams in the UBL. In the first meeting at the Palace Grounds on the 5.11.16 Armagh won 21 – 9. In the return game at Rosbrien in Limerick on the 18.2.17 Armagh won 30 – 19.
Old Crescent secured promotion to Div 2B this season after winning Div 2C last season. Like Armagh they are one match away from securing promotion.
DIV 2B/2C
Rainey OB v Tullamore
It was a case of Rainey indiscipline unnerving the Rainey supporters as the team was reduced to 13 players in their 30 – 21 at Hamilton Park last Saturday against Sligo. With Tullamore travelling to Donny brook the County Offaly side overcame Bective Rangers 22 – 15 to set up a playoff final at Hatrick Park in Magherfelt this weekend.
Rainey Head coach John Andrews adds Oisin Quinn to the squad that won at Sligo. The coach is delighted with the form being shown by his players as they look forward to this home final after the struggles of the last two years. This is a great opportunity for the players to bounce back stronger after the struggles over the last two years.
In form Rainey full back Scott McLean has been in prolific goal kicking form scoring 54 points in his last four matches.
Rainey have defeated Tullamore in their two UBL matches this season. In the first game at Spollanstown on the 12.11.16 Rainey won 25 – 21. In the return match Rainey won another close encounter 25 – 22 at Hatrick Park.
Rainey lost out in the playoffs last season after finishing 9th in Div 2B to avoid relegation to Div 2C. Under the guidance of Head coach John Andrews they are one match away from making a quick return to Div 2B.
Tullamore made the Div 2B/2C Playoff final last season at home to Wanderers only to lose 24 – 13.
DIV 2C/Round Robin Runner Up
Boyne v Omagh
Omagh Head coach Philip Marshall and his team play their 33rd match of the season when they travel to Shamrock Park in Drogheda to play Boyne for a place in Div 2C next season. Nine months on from their first friendly game with Limavady on the 6th August the County Tyrone side are one match away from returning to the UBL. The Omagh players had to dig deep on Saturday after building up an early 19 – 3 lead against Munster Junior 1 league winners Clonmel to win 25 – 13. Three early tries from back row forwards James Catterson (2) and Mervyn Edgar (1) established an early lead that the County Tyrone side had to defend as Clonmel fought back to narrow the Omagh lead. Two late penalties from Lee Murphy and Scott Elliott were enough to earn Omagh a playoff match at Boyne.
Coach Phil Marshall makes one change to his squad with Stephen MacLaine replacing Matty Eccles. Omagh back row forward Mervyn Edgar has scored crucial tries against Malahide, Ballina and Clonmel. Can he make it four against Boyne. Scrum half Stewart McCain and number 8 James Catterson have led from the front throughout the season. Can they complete this marathon season with a win at Boyne and secure promotion to the UBL.
Boyne along with relegated Kanturk finished 8th and 7th in Div 2C last season. This season it went to the wire with Kanturk relegated after finishing 10th and Boyne 9th to secure a playoff after a strong finish to their UBL programme.
SONI ULSTER PREMIERSHIP DIVISION 1
City of Derry v Dungannon
This match at Judges Road on Saturday will decide who plays in Div 1 of the Ulster Premiership league next season. Both teams have played four games with no wins and no points.
The two teams have met in the UBL this season with City of Derry winning the first match on the 31.12.16 at Judges Road 16 – 15 with the North West side again winning another close match 18 – 17 at Stevenson Park.
Dungannon have conceded this match and will be relegated to Div 2 of the Ulster Rugby Premiership next season.
2ND XV LEAGUE PLAYOFF MATCH
Belfast Harlequins seconds v Queens Uni seconds. Played Thursday 27.4.17. Kick off 7.45PM
This match is being played as a playoff to decide which team will play in the 2nd xv league next season.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY/CONFERENCE DIV 2
Larne v Banbridge seconds