The men’s All-Ireland League campaign continues this weekend – here’s a look ahead to the Ulster clubs in action on Saturday:
DIVISION 1A
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (6th) v BALLYNAHINCH (8th), College Park Hinch will go to Dublin in search of a first win this season, after last weekend's defeat at home by Clontarf. In a low-scoring arm-wrestle of a game, Adam Craig’s were forced into spells of heroic defence in the first half, led by the outstanding Kyle McCall. Greg Hutley’s 19th-minute penalty got the home side on the board in unseasonal sunshine, but 'Tarf controlled possession and territory to dominate the second half and seal the victory. DIVISION 1B
BANBRIDGE (9th) v ST. MARY’S COLLEGE (8th), Rifle Park After leaking five tries to Shannon, a number of them self-inflicted, second-from-bottom Banbridge are hoping to arrest that trend of being their own worst enemy. Bann head coach Mark McDowell explained: “We need to do more work on the attacking side, to try to retain control for that little bit longer and therefore increase pressure on the opposition rather than what we’re doing at the moment, which is putting pressure on ourselves.” St. Mary’s, their round three visitors, were narrow 24-22 winners on their last trip to Rifle Park. A first victory of the current campaign is there for the taking for either side tomorrow. CITY OF ARMAGH (2nd) v SHANNON (4th), Palace Grounds It has been a business-like start from City of Armagh, beating Banbridge by 10 points and Old Belvedere by 14. Home advantage could prove important again when they host Shannon. Armagh head coach Chris Parker said: “Having such a large and vociferous support really helped the squad last week. We still have areas to improve on and we’ll have to raise our game against an impressive Shannon side.” Shannon have a potent back-three, with Jamie McGarry, Ikem Ugwueru and Jack O’Donnell all touching down in the first two rounds. Armagh’s pacy centre Shea O’Brien has two tries in two games. OLD BELVEDERE (7th) v MALONE (6th), Ollie Campbell Park Old Belvedere’s clash with Malone will also be available watch live on the club’s YouTube channel. The teams are only separated by points difference in the table, following an up-and-down first fortnight. Belvedere freshen up their line-up with four changes in all. Former Trinity and Clontarf winger Ariel Robles, Briain Leonard and forwards Ryan McMahon and Jack Breen are all handed starts. Malone were not far off winning at ‘Belvo in November 2019, losing out 26-21. They could turn that result around if they can show greater composure this week and get the best out of Ulster’s Aaron Sexton.DIVISION 2A
Ballymena (5th) v Old Crescent (9th), Eaton Park Having climbed into the top half of the table, Ballymena are eager to make it back-to-back home wins. However, they will have to do it without last week’s player-of-the-match, Tim Small, who is unavailable. Ross McKay deputises for him at out-half, while Chris Cundell and Pierce Crowe return at tighthead prop and inside centre respectively. In-form hooker James McCormick is chasing his sixth try. It is Ulster opposition again for Old Crescent after last week’s 40-21 home defeat to Queen’s University. Elusive winger Jack O’Mahony is hoping to score for the third game running. Queen’s University (1st) v Dolphin (3rd), Dub Lane An intriguing clash here as leaders Queen’s University host a Dolphin side rejuvenated under a new coaching team. This is a first trip outside of Munster for Brian Scott’s charges, who have only conceded 19 points so far. Queen’s have knifed through for some excellent tries so far. They have some great finishers out wide, but the pack possesses star quality too in captain David Whitten, Conor McMenamin and Gary Dillon. As expected, ex-Munster prop Scott has Dolphin’s scrum and maul performing well. They showed their running threat against Rainey, and scrum half Daryl Foley, who is on 31 points after two rounds, is a fine kicker. Rainey Old Boys (6th) v MU Barnhall (2nd), Hatrick Park Having gone down heavily to Dolphin, Rainey Old Boys are fired up to put their best foot forward against second-placed MU Barnhall, whom they beat 23-15 in the corresponding fixture in 2020. Rainey’s director of rugby Brian Smyth commented: “We have a few injuries but we’re certainly expecting a big response from the boys, especially after last week’s loss and poor performance in the final quarter against Dolphin.” Barnhall have a spread of nine different try scorers, led by winger Conor Lacey who touched down twice during the opening two rounds. The front rowers, including Gareth Murray who has over 180 AIL appearances, are also getting in on the act. DIVISION 2B
Belfast Harlequins (4th) v Ballina (6th), Deramore Park Ballina are only a point outside of the top four despite their winless start. Blackrock was one that got away, but their attack is performing well with centre Calum Quinn already on four tries. Belfast Harlequins left themselves with too much to do against Galway Corinthians, taking home a losing bonus point. With John Andress coaching and Paddy McAllister still on the field, it is no surprise that their scrummaging is a strong point. Ballina will want to get a result to honour the sad passing of club legend Kay Heffernan, whose late husband Ivan was immortalised with the renaming of the club grounds as Heffernan Park. Wanderers (3rd) v Dungannon (5th), Aviva Stadium main pitch Wanderers will give Dungannon the full Aviva Stadium experience when the teams take to the main pitch. They both warmed up for this headquarters battle with confidence-boosting wins. Eoin Sheriff’s side ran in eight tries against Galwegians, the best of them coming from lock Mark O’Reilly who broke three tackles to run in a fine individual score. Dungannon lost 29-24 to Wanderers in a cracking contest two years ago. Centre Sam Russell was in match-winning form against Sligo last Saturday, but the Dubliners’ back-line may prove too hot to handle. DIVISION 2C
Bangor (2nd) v Midleton (5th), Upritchard Park Midleton would love a repeat of their 22-20 victory from their last visit to Bangor back in March 2019. Stuart Lee’s last-minute drop goal provided the late drama that day. Lee and Bangor place-kicker Gareth Millar could have a big say in Saturday’s outcome, with the latter accumulating 24 points already. Bangor number 8 Mike Weir opened his try account with a brace in Clonmel. The Seasiders’ centre pairing of Ally McIvor and Conor Lusty have both got amongst the tries during the opening two rounds. Flor McCarthy has had a good impact in Midleton’s midfield. Enniscorthy (1st) v Omagh Academicals (7th), Alcast Park With 87 points and 13 tries scored, Enniscorthy are showing plenty of cutting edge in attack. Centres Nick Doyle (4) and Daniel Pim(2) certainly know where the try-line is. On ‘Scorthy’s new head coach Ben Manion, assistant coach Declan O’Brien said: “We want to play a high-tempo game and Ben suits that bill in the way he coaches. He’s a good fit for us and the players are responding to him really, really well.” This looks a tough ask for Omagh, who leaked a late match-winning drop goal to Tullamore last week. The Accies, who are hoping for front row injuries to clear, have had a 22-point contribution from out-half Kyle Beattie so far. Sunday’s Well (6th) v City of Derry (10th), Musgrave Park Sunday’s Well have to quickly put their Cork derby disappointment behind them. Converting their chances is key, and they will be sharpening up their attack after being held try-less at Towns Park. City of Derry boss Richard McCarter, who is dealing with an early season injury crisis, is ‘keeping the heads up’ as they look to bounce back from that heavy defeat to Enniscorthy. “We finished the last 15 minutes against Tullamore really strongly, and we finished well against Enniscorthy. If we could flip that and get off to a very good start and try to maintain it, it would make a big difference,” he told the Derry Journal.
