Clogher Valley captain, Aaron Best (pictured), is hoping to lead his team to a fourth Towns Cup title in five years: “We have built a great squad. We have been slow starters in the past but we really pull together towards the business end of the season and things start to click for us. That has been a big factor in reaching so many cup finals.
“We have a great catchment area and that has allowed us to attract new young players and we have helped them develop. We have placed a lot of emphasis on our youth structures in recent years and we’re starting to see the benefit of that in our senior squads, including the 1st XV,” continued Best.
Looking ahead to the game, the scrumhalf is fully aware of how stern a challenge ‘Hinch will provide: “You never get an easy game against them so we are expecting a tough game and hopefully they are expecting the same from us. We have traditionally had a very strong pack but the backline is starting to show promising signs. If we can dominate things hop front then we will have a good chance of winning again.”
Ballynahinch 2nds Manager, Chris Parker, is hoping for a first Towns Cup win since their 1st XV joined the senior ranks, but he admits they will have to be at their best: “We’ve done quite well this season. Our performances haven’t been great at times but we have managed to get the results. There will be loads of battles all over the pitch so it will make for an entertaining game, conditions permitting.”
Parker was quick to praise today’s opponents and the success they have had: “We are well aware of the pedigree of Clogher Valley, not only in this competition but in junior rugby as a whole. They have been the dominant force for the past five years or so. We would like to think we have more than enough to be able to handle them, but have a lot of respect for them as a club,” he added.
“It’s a huge week for the club with the 3rds playing in the Crawford Cup Final on Tuesday and the 1st XV hoping to book a place in the All Ireland League play-offs on Saturday. Hopefully the whole community will get behind us and we can finally win the Towns Cup as a 2nd XV,” concluded Parker.
Tickets are available to purchase at the gate from 1.30pm.