KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
CIYMS (5th) v BANGOR (4th)
Two points separate these two sides with Bangor coming off a well-earned 13-29 win at Banbridge in the Powerade Towns Cup. Coach Rupert Preston has placed great faith in his young playing squad as they push for a top four placing and qualification for the All Ireland Junior Cup. The North Down side face Junior Cup holders Ballynahinch 2nds away in the quarter finals of the Towns Cup on 22nd February. After a promising start CIYMS have failed to fulfill the clubs expectations for them this season. The Belmont outfit have had three weeks off after their 6-46 mauling at home to Portadown. Their league game at Donaghadee two weeks ago was postponed due to a water-logged pitch. Captain Stuart Ferguson has much work to do to lift his players. When the two sides met at Upritchard Park after Christmas Bangor ran out comfortable winners by 22-5 and they are slight favourites for this one, even away from home.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
ACADEMY (3rd) v RANDALSTOWN (4th)
A very interesting fixture between these two sides at Roughfort. Eight points separate the two teams with Academy having played two games more than their opponents. Academy ran out 23-20 winners when the sides met at Neilsbrook in September. After being relegated last season Academy will push Omagh close for the prestige of finishing second in the league. Randalstown were well beaten in their last home league game against Omagh (29-3). Coach Gary Longwell will want to see an improved performance from his side.
BALLYCLARE (1st) v STRABANE (10th)
With their team well beaten 10-37 by Clogher Valley at home last Saturday in the Towns Cup, Ballyclare coach Bob Young will be able to focus his team on their number one goal of winning the league this season. The players will have been gutted by their performance last weekend. Maybe the defeat was timely and will focus the players on their remaining eight league games. Strabane suffered a 47-0 defeat away to Ballymoney last Saturday in the cup and they remain without a league win after 11 matches. This is the first league meeting of the two sides this season. Top against bottom - don’t expect any surprises at the Cloughan this weekend.
CARRICKICKFERGUS (8th) v LISBURN (4th)
When the two sides met in October at Blaris, Lisburn ran out narrow winners (25-22). Carrick have disappointed this season; they have put some good results together, but have lacked consistency. The faithful at the Tom Simms Memorial Park will expect their team to win after losing 25-0 to near neighbours Ballyclare three weeks ago. Lisburn have recorded emphatic wins over Limavady and Strabane in recent weeks and should continue in that vein.
OMAGH (2nd) v LIMAVADY (9th)
The Tyrone side have made it through to the quarter finals of the Towns Cup after a hard earned 19-10 win over Larne. They remain in second place in the league four points behind leaders Ballyclare with one more game played. They require maximum points from this game against Limavady to keep up their outside hopes of promotion with seven games remaining. Despite winning games the Tyrone side have missed out on adding bonus points to close the gap on Ballyclare. This is the first meeting of the two sides this season and one that Omagh should win with ease.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
DONEGAL (4th) v HOLYWOOD (1st)
A fascinating contest in prospect at the Holmes in Donegal this weekend. When the two sides met at Kerr Park in November, Holywood ran out 39-24 winners in a keenly contested game between the two sides. Donegal left Holywood feeling they should have got more from this game. Donegal will be disappointed they lost a ferocious encounter with Newry two weeks ago at home 22-30. Their game at Letterkenny last Saturday was postponed due to a water-logged pitch. Expect another fiesty encounter when these two sides meet again, with Holywood the likely winners.
LARNE (2nd) v NEWRY (3rd)
When these two sides met at Telford Park in November Larne were 23-10 winners after a very physical encounter. Expect a repeat this weekend as both Newry and Larne fight out another bruising encounter. Both Donegal and Newry are fighting it out to finish third and would love to take the scalp of Larne or Holywood. Newry will have been boosted by their impressive 22-30 win at Donegal two weeks ago, while Larne lost that game to Omagh at the wekeend. This fixture is sure to attract a large crowd to the Glynn on Saturday.
MONAGHAN (7th) v LURGAN (6th)
With one point separating these two sides this is another crucial relegation contest this weekend. When the first meeting of the two sides this season, Monaghan ran out narrow 24-28 winners. Lurgan are a much-improved side under the guidance of Bruce Corneilius and beat PSNI 12-17 at Newforge two weeks ago. Last Saturday at Kerr Park, Monaghan were beaten 52-0 by league leaders Holywood. A big game for both sides and a tough one to call.
PSNI (8th) v LETTERKENNY (5th)
Again, a crucial relegation game with four points separating the bottom four sides. When these two sides met in November Letterkenny won 19-8. Expect another closely fought contest this time around. PSNI lost their last league game at home to Lurgan and Letterkenny's home game with Donegal scheduled for last weekend was postponed.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4
CIVIL SERVICE (5th) v ARMOY (7th)
These two sides have already met twice in the league with Service winning at home in October (22-0) and Armoy winning their only league game this season at Lime Park in December (31-7). Last weekend Service lost 0-57 at home to league leaders Ophir last Saturday at Stormont and Armoy conceded their league game at Cavan, so both clubs are desperately seeking wins. Armoy are firmly rooted to the bottom of Q4 and Civil Service should inflict another defeat on the Antrim side.
LONDONDERRY YMCA (6th) v OPHIR (1st)
The trip to Drumahoe will hold no fears for the league leaders this weekend. They have already recorded wins over YMCA; 5-47 at away in November and 23-8 at home in December. Two weeks ago YMCA won their first league game of the season when they defeated Civil Service 27-10. Ophir remain undefeated this season in all competitions including 11 straight league wins. Impressive!
VIRGINIA (3rd) v CAVAN (2nd)
A Cavan derby at Swellan Park this weekend. The two sides have already met in the league with Virginia winning 32-21 in October and Cavan winning 20-8 in December. Cavan are four points ahead of Virginia having played two games more. A lot at stake this weekend as both teams battle it out for second place with pride to play for and the bragging rights.