Kukri Qualifying League Previews

When the two sides met on the opening day at Blaris in September, Ballyclare ran out comfortable 33-6 winners. A similar scoreline is expected this weekend as the Cloughan side push on relentlessly to their goal of being crowned league champions, after defeating Randalstown and Grosvenor. They have opened up a nine point league on nearest challengers Omagh. With six games remaining the league title is now almost within their grasp. Lisburn in their last league outing were beaten 48-0 at Omagh. Ballyclare are expected to be dominant in this fixture and come out on top.

The North Down side will have been buoyed by their 7-3 win at previously undefeated Ophir last Saturday in the Gordon West Cup. Scrum half and Captain Rory Eves was the star, scoring a vital try leading his side to their victory. Holywood have a maximum eighteen points from nine games played and will look to extend their lead before they visit Larne. The priority for the team is promotion to Qualifying League Two. They would also be clear favourites to retain the Gordon West Cup. Lurgan coach Bruce Corneilius knows his side need to continue picking up points to move away from the relegation zone. When the two sides met at Pollock Park back in December, Holywood ran out 30-14 winners, they therefore remain the favourites to defeat Lurgan in this fixture.

Ophir will look to bounce back from their narrow 7-3 defeat at home to Qualifying League Three leaders in the Gordon West Cup last Saturday. They have won their opening eleven league games, with a maximum twenty two points, scoring 455 points and conceding 47points. When the two sides met in the Gordon West Group game in December, Ophir were 19-0 winners. Their previous league game at Greenisland was postponed in December.  Ophir remain the favourites to win this game.

The first league game between these two sides at Lime Park in October was postponed. Armoy have struggled to compete in this league this season, with their only league win at home to Civil Service. Londonderry YMCA have the opportunity to move away from the lower reaches of this league with several outstanding games to complete. YMCA should come away from this game with a victory.

Three of the four matches postponed last weekend will be played this weekend. Current Cup holders Holywood have already progressed to the semi finals. The other ties are:
Larne v PSNI

Monaghan V Letterkenny

Donegal v Newry