Belfast Harlequins v City Of Derry
Quins coach Adam Larkin will want to the keep the momentum going after an emphatic win over neighbours Malone in the Ulster Bank League last Saturday with their 2nds completing the double over the East Belfast side. Quins will be looking to reverse their surprising 7-17 home defeat to the North West side in the First Trust Senior Cup quarter final in October. They remain undefeated in the Ulster Senior League with a win on Saturday setting up a meeting with undefeated Ballynahinch on Saturday week at Deramore Park.
Dungannon v Ballynahinch
A meeting with Stevenson Shield holders Ballynahinch will test the playing resources of the County Tyrone squad. ‘Hinch manager Ronnie Duncan was delighted with his team’s win over Cork Constitution at the weekend. Their intention is to rest several players with the experienced Kenny Morton hoping to get some game time after being ruled out with an injury in Oct. The focus for the Ballymacarn Park side is to finish in the top four of the UBL and make the playoffs.
Malone v Armagh
Having played five and lost one to a last minute penalty against Ballymena, Andy Hughes and his Armagh side will travel full of confidence that they can win this match at Gibson Park. Armagh are currently third in UBL Division 2B and will look for another confidence boosting performance before they resume UBL action next Saturday. Malone coach Jacque Benade was alarmed at the manner in which his side was overwhelmed by Quins last weekend. He will be looking a morale boosting performance before promotion chasing Dublin Uni arrive at Gibson Park on the 31st January. Injuries continue to deplete his forward options with his talented back division yet to show their true potential.
Queen's v Ards
Despite the talent available to coach Bob Young at Queen’s, his team have only one win to show from four outings in the Senior League. Exams and injuries will limit his selections against a struggling Ards team. Ards showed a lot of improvement last Saturday before going down 10-33 to Rainey at home last Saturday. For Queen’s, the goal this season will be to secure a top two finish and promotion to Division 1B.
Rainey v Banbridge
Both coaches will be looking a strong performance from their players before they resume their Ulster Bank League programme next Saturday. The goal for both coaches and teams is to retain their status in Div 2A next season by finishing in the top ten. Both teams will meet again at Hatrick Park in the Ulster Bank League on 28th February. Rainey coach Richard Boyd is looking to build momentum before the next round of AIL games. With the new floodlights up and running on the 1st XV pitch the club have now completed the work on their impressive facilities. For the match with Banbridge Stephen Rutledge and Tim Barker are restored to the pack. Forwards Michael Shiels, Timmy Woods, Conor Simpson and Conal Murphy return to action after injury with the influential Paddy McGowan a doubt for the AIL match at home to UCC on Saturday week. The in form Gavin Martin comes into the backline with Mark O'Connor unavailable. Winger Nicholas Stirling is rested due to a hamstring strain. Bann coach Daniel Soper faces a difficult AIL fixture at home to Munster side Nenagh Ormond on Saturday week at Rifle Park. Spectators will be treated to an open running game by two talented sides looking a strong finish to the second half of the season.
KUKRI QUALIFYINGLEAGUE 1
Ballyclare v CIYMS
What has happened to a Ballyclare side that made such a promising start to the season. Five defeats in their last six matches has coach Chris Campbell and his players looking for an upturn in their fortunes. They have another vital home match against a CIYMS side determined to qualify for the All Ireland Junior Cup. CIYMS coach Gareth Fry was delighted to see his side secure a much needed win over Cooke last Saturday. With a full strength squad at his disposal. His players will travel with confidence to the Cloughan. When the two sides met at Belmont in September CI were convincing winners by 48-13.
Bangor v Ballymoney
Ballymoney player coach Jason Taggart has worked wonders with a new team to win two out of their last three league matches - losing narrowly to Clogher Valley by 10-9. Bangor will know they will have to be at their best to secure the points. They have selected a full strength team with Gareth Irvine and Mike Apsley returning. Jason Morgan remains unavailable with Keith Rossan continuing at out half. Bangor chairman Jonny Watson acknowledges players are pushing for a starting place with the All Ireland Junior Cup final coming up against Dundalk on the 31st January. Moss Rogers son of Bangor stalwart John Rogers is another young back who is impressing the coaches as he pushes for a starting place this weekend. When the two sides met at KIlraughts Road in November, Bangor had to work hard for their 17-5 win.
Cooke v Donaghadee
This is a crucial game for both sides as they seek points to avoid relegation to Qualifying League 2. Colin Atkinson retains the same squad from last Saturday with Philip Cartmill coming onto the Cooke bench. Donaghadee player/coach Paul McKenzie adds Jack Cooke and Adam Alexander to his squad. When the two sides met at Donaldson Park in September Cooke ran out 36-26 winners.
Dromore v Instonians
Game of the day at Barben Hill with Dromore looking to protect their undefeated home record this season. Instonians coach Willaim Leacock was impressed by the late show of his team to score 17 unanswered points to win a dramatic encounter with Bangor by 28-25 last weekend. He will be missing forwards Fergal Lynch and Rory McCrory through injury on Saturday with Paddy Marks and Conor Gallagher replacing them. Dromore are at full strength with coach Graham Cloke looking to reverse their 60-5 defeat at Shaw’s Bridge earlier in the season. Will we see an upset this weekend. This game is sure to attract a large crowd.
Portadown v Clogher Valley
Coach Richard Hedley was disappointed with his teams performance in the 17-0 defeat at Ballymoney at the weekend. Dairmuid O'Kane and Brian Forrestal are expected to start this weekend. Hedley’s team are under real pressure to finish in the top four this season. Next Sat they face an inform Dromore team at home in the Towns Cup. Their task gets no easier with the visit of league champions Clogher Valley to Chambers Park. Clogher Valley will be without the injured Aaron Best, David Dunlop, Phil Moore. Eugene McKenna and John Clarke with back row forward Barry Jon Wilson unavailable. In the absence of Captain Aaron Best the experienced David Sharkey has taken over the Captaincy as the team continue to grind out results. In previous seasons this fixture has usually ended up as a title contest between these two sides. Interesting that when the two sides met at the Cran in September, Portadown ran out 19-18 winners. Can Portadown complete the double over their great rivals.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Enniskillen v UUC
The County Fermanagh side have built a large playing squad, that they have been able to successfully rotate in their pursuit of silverware this season. The Skins side have three matches in hand on second place Carrickfergus and will be looking maximum points against the students who suffered a crushing 64-3 defeat at home to Omagh last Saturday. Skins have made several changes to their team with Jack Harte coming into the back row and Connor Hoy starting on the wing. Former Portadown outhalf Chris McVitty has re-signed for Enniskillen to bolster their talent backline. He will make his debut this weekend. There is frustration in the squad that they lost those two home league matches to Coleraine and Omagh, otherwise they would be in the promotion mix. With the potential to add further players to the squad, the coaches are confident the team can return to Q1. This is the first meeting between the two sides this season. The students need league points if they are to avoid relegation again this season.
Lisburn v Grosvenor
Coach Mark Crothers has experienced a difficult season at the helm as he looks for league points to avoid finishing in the bottom two. A surprising defeat away to Holywood in the Towns Cup has not helped morale. Injuries have continued to plague the squad this season, with Davy Egner and Andrew Kelly added to the injured list. Both James Bowman and Stevie Karayiannis are unavailable this weekend, with scrum half Neil Adams playing his last game before heading off to South Africa for nine months. In an update on the long term injured. Winger Mark Atkinson has had a scan on a troublesome knee injury that has kept him out since Sept while forwards Pearce Jamison and Philip Stoops are still hopeful of returning before the end of the season. Veteran Mikey Morris is recovering from an ankle fracture he sustained against Randalstown. Young flanker Sam Purdon has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury. On the plus side, former schoolboys, Jamie McMullan and Shane Johnston have impressed along with Matty Simpson and Carl Rae who are better known for their cricketing exploits. They have all established themselves in the 1st XV. The one stand out player for the team, has been hooker Stuart Smyth who has also brought much needed leadership to the team for such a young player. Grosvenor coach Alasdair McKee will be looking a strong finish to the latter part of the season.
Omagh v Holywood
Coach Phil Marshall was delighted with his teams ten tries in their 64-3 win against the Coleraine students. He will be looking a similar performance from his players against visitors Holywood this weekend. Several of his key forwards are unavailable through injury. With the strength in depth at the club he is taking the opportunity to blood some of these young players and give them the experience. Expect another Omagh win. Holywood continue to battle for crucial points to avoid relegation. When the two sides met at Holywood in September, Omagh ran out comfortable 51-12 winners.
Randalstown v Coleraine
It has been a difficult start to the year for Randalstown with two difficult away fixtures at Carrickfergus and Enniskillen. They face a Coleraine side they defeated at Rugby Road in November 11-10. Can they complete the double against the North coast side. He is hoping home advantage will give them the edge on Saturday. They have their strongest backline available, with David McWhirter a long term absentee out with a fractured leg. Niall McGlade is unavailable on vacation. Michael Smith returns at full back after illness with David Goodrich restored in the midfield. In the forwards Hooker Scott Stevenson is unavailable with the versatile Neil Foster deputising. Gary Irwin is out with an injury this week with David Millar returning from holidays. The return of Paul Laverty, Gary Hume, Garry Irwin and Scott Stevenson has considerably strengthened the 1st XV pack at the club. Coleraine will look to the side that defeated Ballymoney 11-3 in the Towns Cup. Sure to be a keenly contested game at Nelisbrook.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Newry v Lurgan
Ophir v Larne
PSNI v Strabane
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4
Cavan v Letterkenny
Londonderry YMCA v Monaghan
Virginia v Civil Service