Ballynahinch lost their opening match at Lakelands Park to Terenure College 32-20 and coach Derek Suffern will be disappointed that his team were overwhelmed in the final twenty minutes of this game. His task does not get any easier as they face last season’s runnerss up Old Belvedere at Ballymacarn Park. With a new look 1st XV, the players will have little time to gel in this competitive league.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B
Ballymena and Malone opened their season with impressive home wins. Belfast Harlequins were unlucky to lose their match at UL Bohemians 22-19 after a last minute score. This weekend we have an Ulster derby at Deramore Park with ‘Quins hosting Ballymena at Deramore park. Quins coach Adam Larkin will be looking a win despite the loss of winger Rory Scholes to injury. Ulster players Frank Taggart, Mike McComish and Clive Ross will ensure the breakdown area is keenly contested by both sides, while spectators are sure to witness a highly entertaining fixture with two talented backlines opposing each other. Ballymena coach Andy Graham will want nothing less than a win from his talented squad. Malone make the long journey to Galway to play Corinthians. Two try fullback Andy Bryans will be unavailable this weekend.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A
The five Ulster sides in this division - Banbridge, Dungannon, Rainey OB, City of Derry and Queen’s University - will be targeting promotion along with retaining their place in Div 2A next season. Bann welcome Cashel to Rifle Park for a difficult opening fixture. Coach Daniel Soper picks from a full squad with some difficult selections to be made. Dungannon open their campaign when they welcome Div 2B champions Nenagh Ormond to Stevenson Park. The battle of the forwards will decide the outcome of this match with number 8 James McMahon and scrumhalf James Bates key players for the County Tyrone side. Rainey OB and City of Derry clash at Hatrick Park in another Ulster derby. The experienced North West side narrowly missed out on promotion last season and with the return of outhalf Richard McCarter they are expected to be contesting again this season. Rainey coach Richard Boyd has been busy bolstering his playing squad in the off season by adding several youngsters including Ross McCloskey and Mark Gordon. The Mid Ulster side now provide their players with some of the best training and playing facilities in Ireland with new floodlights due to be switched on shortly. With the additional car parking - expect a large crowd to visit the Magherfelt venue on Saturday. The students have new coach Bob Young in charge and have considerably strengthened their playing pool for the new season with several members of the Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy in their squad. Back row Ryan Clarke has been appointed captain with the Upper Malone side looking for more consistency this season. They face a difficult opening game away to newly promoted Thomond in Limerick.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
Ulster teams Armagh and Ards will have different ambitions this season. Andy Hughes and his squad has been strengthened by the addition of several experienced Ulster Bank League players. The Armagh side were disappointed to miss out on promotion last season and are expected to be amongst the challengers this season. Again they face a difficult away match in Limerick against Old Crescent.Ards are struggling with injuries and an inexperienced playing squad. The challenge for Coach Stewart Porter and the County Down side will be to retain their senior status. They face a trip to play Sligo who like Ards struggled last season in the AIL.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
After the opening two weekends, the top six sides Instonians, Clogher Valley, Ballyclare, Dromore, Portadown and CIYMS facing each other in three highly entertaining games. Bangor, Donaghadee, Ballymoney and Cooke are still looking for their first wins and meet this weekend. The meeting of Clogher Valley and Portadown at the Cran will attract another large crowd to the County Tyrone venue. Despite missing several players through injury the Fivemiletown side will be looking another win against their nemisis in recent seasons, Portadown. At Belmont, CIYMS coach Gareth Fry will learn a lot about the character of his players when they meet newly promoted Ballyclare. ‘Clare coach Chris Campbell must be pleased with the impact his players have made in Q1. Wilbur Leacock and his Instonians team have inflicted two defeats on fellow promotion challengers Portadown and Bangor in their opening games. Can Graham Cloke and his Dromore side stall their progress. A late sin binning cost his side dearly in their narrow defeat at Ballyclare. Donaghadee entertain Cooke at Donaldson Park knowing nothing less than a win will do. They will be missing their two experienced backs, player coach Paul McKenzie and Captain Nigel Barker. Cooke coach Colin Atkinson also knows what is at stake in this match. Much to the surprise of the other teams in Q1 Bangor remain without a win and travel to Kilraughts Road to play Ballymoney looking a win to get their season back on track. These two games are potential ten pointers at this stage of the season.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
In Qualifying Two there are three games this weekend with several of the sides harbouring promotion ambitions. Relegated Coleraine open their campaign with a difficult home match against Carrickfergus. The return of several experienced players to Sandel Lodge, along with a new coaching team should ensure that Coleraine are competing with Omagh for promotion. Carrick are celebrating their 150th anniversary in 2015 and would like to return to Q1. Promotion favourites Omagh opened their league programme with an emphatic 12-51 win at Holywood. They slipped up in their opening game against Grosvenor last season that ultimately cost them promotion. Don't expect the County Tyrone side to make the same mistake at Mellon Park this weekend. Randalstown will look to bounce back from their narrow 21-15 defeat at Academy when they welcome the resurgent Enniskillen side to Nelisbrook. Their captain Dan Wilson is in his tenth season captaining the County Antrim team that includes nine players who have come through their successful Youth structure.
GORDON WEST CUP
Group A
Larne v Ophir
Limavady v BHSFP
Group B
Letterkenny v Strabane
Londonderry YMCA v Donegal Town
Group C
Lurgan v PSNI
Newry v Civil Service
Group D
Virginia v Monaghan
Cavan - no match