Ballynahinch, who slipped to a surprise defeat against Queen’s University in last year’s showpiece, will be hoping to make amends when they take on Malone in the First Trust Bank Senior Cup Final on Wednesday night (Kingspan Stadium, 7.30pm).
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A win for either side would provide them with the first silverware of the season, but would also allow them to join the other provincial cup winners in the semi finals of the All Ireland Bateman Cup in the New Year.
COMPETITION HISTORY
Malone enter the final searching for their eighth title but with the intentions of ending a 22 year wait since their last success in 1991/92 - a 13-3 defeat of North of Ireland. The team have lost all six of the finals they have contested since then, including a 37-0 drubbing at the hands of Queen's in their last outing in the 2009/10 season.
Ballynahinch have won the First Trust Senior Cup only once; they defeated Ballymena 19-0 in the 2008/9 showpiece, with the late Nevin Spence scoring the game’s only try.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Over the last three years the two finalists have met seven times in all competitions, with Ballynahinch winning five, drawing one and losing one. Malone's only win came when they defeated 'Hinch 17-13 in October 2012 in the First Trust Senior Cup.
ROUTE TO THE FINAL
Ards conceded their first round game to Ballynahinch but it hasn’t been plain sailing since then for the Ballymacarn Park outfit. ‘Hinch needed late scores to defeat Armagh (17-16) and City of Derry (19-14) in their quarter final and semi final respectively.
Malone received a bye in the first round before travelling to Rainey and recording a 62-16 win on their 3G pitch in an enthralling encounter. Despite an injury crisis, Malone stunned Ballymena with a 17-13 semi final win at Eaton Park.
PREVIEW
Despite a number of Ulster Ravens call ups for British & Irish Cup duty, ‘Hinch have had players of the calibre of Jonny Murphy, Craig Trenier and Ross Adair available to bolster their playing squad in recent weeks. Their impressive 14-10 win over All Ireland Division 1A leaders Terenure College at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday should make them favourites to win on Wednesday night.
‘Hinch have plenty of attacking potency and much responsibility will fall on the shoulder of captain and outhalf, Harry McAleese. Another key player is centre Richard Reaney, who has been a match winner with his kicking and crucial tries in key matches.
David McGuigan, Paul Pritchard and Michael Graham have been outstanding this season for the County Down side and they will need to continue that fine form against the opposing loose forward trio of Ben McDonnell, John Burns and Connor Joyce.
Malone forwards Darryl Maxwell, Ross Kane and Cory Tipping will be asked to provide clean ball for their talented backs to exploit. Creative duties will fall to Jack McMurtry and Josh Pentland, with Michael Barker, Adam Liddell and Andy Bryans expected to make the most of scoring opportunities that come their way.