KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
BALLYMONEY v CIYMS
Neil Beddow will have been disappointed that his side lost out in an epic cup tie to the unbeaten Ballynahinch 2nds at Kilraughts Road last Saturday (13-19). He will look to use this performance to dent the promotion hopes of the East Belfast side. Bangor lost 20-13 at this venue to Ballymoney four weeks ago. The County Antrim side have talent throughout their side and a hard working forward unit led by number 8 Jonny Hanna. CI Captain Stuart ...
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1 BALLYMONEY v CIYMS Neil Beddow will have been disappointed that his side lost out in an epic cup tie to the unbeaten Ballynahinch 2nds at Kilraughts Road last Saturday (13-19). He will look to use this performance to dent the promotion hopes of the East Belfast side. Bangor lost 20-13 at this venue to Ballymoney four weeks ago. The County Antrim side have talent throughout their side and a hard working forward unit led by number 8 Jonny Hanna. CI Captain Stuart Ferguson has plenty of experienced players in his side, including number 8 Ross Hackney, who needs a big performance if his side is to take all four points. Expect the noisy crowd to get behind the Ballymoney side and it might help them edge a win. CLOGHER VALLEY v COOKE There will have been a relief that the Fivemiletown side had a weekend off after a relentless programme of fixtures that started on the 10th August. The top Kukri Qualifying League 1 sides they need a large playing squad if they are going to compete in all competitions. Coaches Davy Black and Glen Kyle have been very astute in the management of their playing resources this season as they push for League and All Ireland Junior Cup success. Cooke have demonstrated in recent performances they have the talent to present a major threat to any side, especially in their back division. Clogher should prove too strong though. COLERAINE v DROMORE The convincing manner in which Ballyclare swept aside Coleraine's challenge last Saturday will have focused the minds of the North Coast side as they look to gather vital league points. Dromore will present a stern challenge despite a whopping 10-48 defeat at home to Clogher Valley two weeks ago. Dromore had promised more as they moved into the top five, demonstrated by their narrow 11-9 loss at CIYMS. DONAGHADEE v BANGOR With the Rodney Gray Cup up for grabs, expect a large crowd at Donaldson Park for this fiesty encounter. Matches between the two North Down Clubs are always keenly contested. Bangor have promotion as their goal this season and sit comfortably in third place with a game in hand. The contest between the two Captains Jamie Clegg and Alastair Lockhart will ensure nothing less than 100% is given by both teams. 'Dee may be struggling this season but pride will drive them on as they will want the prize scalp of their near neighbours. Bangor know this is a game they cannot afford to lose after slipping up at Ballymoney. There are contests all over the park with the meeting of Bangor's Jason Morgan and the Dee's player coach Paul McKenzie in the middle of the park sure to set the tone for this most appetising derby. The two back rows will again be eagerly contested with Chris Hamilton, David Murray and Richard Martindale trading with Bangor's Jamie Clegg and Curtis Stewart. UUC v PORTADOWN Coach Richard Hedley will ensure his Portadown side is fully focused on this game as they continue their push for league honours. The students are a dangerous side on their home turf. Portadown forwards have the experience to strangle the students up front. The return of several key players in recent weeks has strengthened the playing squad available to the Portadown coach. He will have one eye on the All Ireland Junior Cup semi final at Enniscorthy the following week. One point separates his side from Clogher Valley. Hedley will be looking maximum points from this game and the players should deliver. KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2 CARRICKFERGUS v OMAGH With the pressure increasing on his Omagh side, coach Phil Marshall is well aware his team pushed Ballyclare close in losing 21-16 two weeks ago. They sit 12 points behind Ballyclare with one game in hand. The trip to face a rejuvenated Carrick side will be difficult; after losing to Academy they bounced back with an impressive 13-19 win at Grosvenor last Saturday. They have match winners in their ranks, including the Impressive Aaron McKinney, who put in another man of the match performance at the weekend. ENNISKILLEN v LISBURN The Blaris side had their promotion hopes halted by a Randalstown, who recorded a 12-25 win at Lisburn last Saturday. Enniskillen have moved up to fifth place after two wins over North West sides Limavady and Strabane. Skins captain Ricky Connor will want this run to continue as they build momentum for the Towns Cup. Enniskillen to win. GROSVENOR v LIMAVADY Limavady demonstrated last Saturday they have the personnel to upset the odds as they pushed Academy all the way at Roughfort before losing 28-21. Grosvenor have disappointed this season but they will fancy their chances of winning. STRABANE v RANDALSTOWN Randalstown quietly slipped into promotion contention and will look to take all five points on their visit to the North West. Coach Gary Longwell has an important game coming up with Ballyclare the following week. His side cannot afford to be complacent, as Strabane have provided stiff opposition at their home venue. Randalstown are well organised and have impressed opposition sides in the league this season. KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3 MONAGHAN v LETTERKENNY Monaghan sit bottom of the league and will look to take both points from this meeting. Letterkenny have impressed at home this season and pushed Donegal all the way before losing. The visitors are the likely winners in this encounter. NEWRY v HOLYWOOD The North Down side will have to be at the top of their game if they are to take the points from this match. Newry sit fourth in the table and have provided stiff opposition for all their opponents this season. In their last league game they won 9-11 at Letterkenny. Larne had to work extremely hard to win 10-23 at Newry four weeks ago. Expect a good crowd for this game as Newry continue to make a mark in this league. Holywood to win. KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4 BHSFP v VIRGINIA The Greenisland side have shown indifferent form this season and sit fifth in the league. Virginia were in contention for the league until they met title favourites Ophir last Saturday and lost 46-5. Virginia put up a gutsy performance and were in contention up until half time. High School lost 19-12 to Civil Service at Stormont last Saturday. Expect the County Cavan side to take the points. High School won the away fixture at Virginia 9-15 in September. CIVIL SERVICE v COUNTY CAVAN The Stormont side won the corresponding fixture at Cavan 0-12 in September. Service got back to winning ways after defeating High School 19-12 last Saturday. Civil Service are probably favourites for this fixture. OPHIR V LONDONDERRY YMCA The North West side has just one point from four league outings. Ophir continue to impress in the league and Gordon West Cup. Their 46-5 win over nearest rivals Virginia last Saturday makes them clear favourites for promotion to Kukri Qualifying 3. They have talent in abundance through out the squad with their half backs of Carl Davis and James Milligan continuing to control games. Second row forwards Kenny Morton and Neil Grey play key roles in the forwards. Ophir to win.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1 BALLYMONEY v CIYMS Neil Beddow will have been disappointed that his side lost out in an epic cup tie to the unbeaten Ballynahinch 2nds at Kilraughts Road last Saturday (13-19). He will look to use this performance to dent the promotion hopes of the East Belfast side. Bangor lost 20-13 at this venue to Ballymoney four weeks ago. The County Antrim side have talent throughout their side and a hard working forward unit led by number 8 Jonny Hanna. CI Captain Stuart Ferguson has plenty of experienced players in his side, including number 8 Ross Hackney, who needs a big performance if his side is to take all four points. Expect the noisy crowd to get behind the Ballymoney side and it might help them edge a win. CLOGHER VALLEY v COOKE There will have been a relief that the Fivemiletown side had a weekend off after a relentless programme of fixtures that started on the 10th August. The top Kukri Qualifying League 1 sides they need a large playing squad if they are going to compete in all competitions. Coaches Davy Black and Glen Kyle have been very astute in the management of their playing resources this season as they push for League and All Ireland Junior Cup success. Cooke have demonstrated in recent performances they have the talent to present a major threat to any side, especially in their back division. Clogher should prove too strong though. COLERAINE v DROMORE The convincing manner in which Ballyclare swept aside Coleraine's challenge last Saturday will have focused the minds of the North Coast side as they look to gather vital league points. Dromore will present a stern challenge despite a whopping 10-48 defeat at home to Clogher Valley two weeks ago. Dromore had promised more as they moved into the top five, demonstrated by their narrow 11-9 loss at CIYMS. DONAGHADEE v BANGOR With the Rodney Gray Cup up for grabs, expect a large crowd at Donaldson Park for this fiesty encounter. Matches between the two North Down Clubs are always keenly contested. Bangor have promotion as their goal this season and sit comfortably in third place with a game in hand. The contest between the two Captains Jamie Clegg and Alastair Lockhart will ensure nothing less than 100% is given by both teams. 'Dee may be struggling this season but pride will drive them on as they will want the prize scalp of their near neighbours. Bangor know this is a game they cannot afford to lose after slipping up at Ballymoney. There are contests all over the park with the meeting of Bangor's Jason Morgan and the Dee's player coach Paul McKenzie in the middle of the park sure to set the tone for this most appetising derby. The two back rows will again be eagerly contested with Chris Hamilton, David Murray and Richard Martindale trading with Bangor's Jamie Clegg and Curtis Stewart. UUC v PORTADOWN Coach Richard Hedley will ensure his Portadown side is fully focused on this game as they continue their push for league honours. The students are a dangerous side on their home turf. Portadown forwards have the experience to strangle the students up front. The return of several key players in recent weeks has strengthened the playing squad available to the Portadown coach. He will have one eye on the All Ireland Junior Cup semi final at Enniscorthy the following week. One point separates his side from Clogher Valley. Hedley will be looking maximum points from this game and the players should deliver. KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2 CARRICKFERGUS v OMAGH With the pressure increasing on his Omagh side, coach Phil Marshall is well aware his team pushed Ballyclare close in losing 21-16 two weeks ago. They sit 12 points behind Ballyclare with one game in hand. The trip to face a rejuvenated Carrick side will be difficult; after losing to Academy they bounced back with an impressive 13-19 win at Grosvenor last Saturday. They have match winners in their ranks, including the Impressive Aaron McKinney, who put in another man of the match performance at the weekend. ENNISKILLEN v LISBURN The Blaris side had their promotion hopes halted by a Randalstown, who recorded a 12-25 win at Lisburn last Saturday. Enniskillen have moved up to fifth place after two wins over North West sides Limavady and Strabane. Skins captain Ricky Connor will want this run to continue as they build momentum for the Towns Cup. Enniskillen to win. GROSVENOR v LIMAVADY Limavady demonstrated last Saturday they have the personnel to upset the odds as they pushed Academy all the way at Roughfort before losing 28-21. Grosvenor have disappointed this season but they will fancy their chances of winning. STRABANE v RANDALSTOWN Randalstown quietly slipped into promotion contention and will look to take all five points on their visit to the North West. Coach Gary Longwell has an important game coming up with Ballyclare the following week. His side cannot afford to be complacent, as Strabane have provided stiff opposition at their home venue. Randalstown are well organised and have impressed opposition sides in the league this season. KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3 MONAGHAN v LETTERKENNY Monaghan sit bottom of the league and will look to take both points from this meeting. Letterkenny have impressed at home this season and pushed Donegal all the way before losing. The visitors are the likely winners in this encounter. NEWRY v HOLYWOOD The North Down side will have to be at the top of their game if they are to take the points from this match. Newry sit fourth in the table and have provided stiff opposition for all their opponents this season. In their last league game they won 9-11 at Letterkenny. Larne had to work extremely hard to win 10-23 at Newry four weeks ago. Expect a good crowd for this game as Newry continue to make a mark in this league. Holywood to win. KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4 BHSFP v VIRGINIA The Greenisland side have shown indifferent form this season and sit fifth in the league. Virginia were in contention for the league until they met title favourites Ophir last Saturday and lost 46-5. Virginia put up a gutsy performance and were in contention up until half time. High School lost 19-12 to Civil Service at Stormont last Saturday. Expect the County Cavan side to take the points. High School won the away fixture at Virginia 9-15 in September. CIVIL SERVICE v COUNTY CAVAN The Stormont side won the corresponding fixture at Cavan 0-12 in September. Service got back to winning ways after defeating High School 19-12 last Saturday. Civil Service are probably favourites for this fixture. OPHIR V LONDONDERRY YMCA The North West side has just one point from four league outings. Ophir continue to impress in the league and Gordon West Cup. Their 46-5 win over nearest rivals Virginia last Saturday makes them clear favourites for promotion to Kukri Qualifying 3. They have talent in abundance through out the squad with their half backs of Carl Davis and James Milligan continuing to control games. Second row forwards Kenny Morton and Neil Grey play key roles in the forwards. Ophir to win.