This year we have teams from the West and East of the Province contesting the Powerade Towns Cup Final. Bangor representing North Down and Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.
Bangor had a purple patch between 1968 and 1975 when the club won the Towns Cup on four occasions.
Bangor 1st XV defeated Dungannon 26 - 11 in 1968
Bangor 1st XV defeated Ards 14 - 12 in 1969
Bangor 2nd XV defeated Ards 3 - 0 in 1969
Bangor 2nd XV defeated Dungannon 2nd XV 3 - 0 in 1975.
Enniskillen last contested the Towns Cup Final in 2007 when they lost 13 -9 against neighbours, Clogher Valley.
In 1987, Enniskillen lost 9 - 4 to Ballynahinch. The club last won the Towns Cup in 1937 when they defeated Dromore 5 - 3.
The progress of both teams in 2016 included the following wins:
Bangor:
1st round: Defeated Lisburn 77 - 7.
2nd round: Defeated Ballymena seconds 10 - 3.
Quarter Finals: Defeated Donaghadee 48 - 3.
Semi Finals: Defeated Omagh 25 - 12.
Enniskillen
1st round: Defeated Rainey seconds 34 - 12.
2nd round: Defeated Lurgan 32 - 17.
Quarter Finals: Defeated Ballynahinch seconds 16 - 0.
Semi Finals: Defeated Clogher Valley 8 - 6.
The Bangor 1st XV are on the verge of completing an unique domestic treble in 2015/16. The team have already won the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup defeating Instonians 7 - 5 in December. They secured the Kukri Qualifying league One title at Upritchard Park last Thursday night after defeating Ballyclare 36 - 14. The team will now represent Ulster in the Ulster Bank AIL Round Robin Playoffs with their first match against Connacht league champions Westport at Upritchard Park on Saturday 2nd April. The team lost out to Leinster champions Enniscorthy in the semi finals of the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup this season. A remarkable season for a playing squad that has been transformed under the leadership of Head Coach Jason Morgan and his assistant Michael Ferguson.
1st XV Manager Ricky Armstrong along with the coaches and players are looking forward to another Cup Final at Kingspan Stadium with everybody enjoying the success that the hard work has brought.
With the success the past 15 months has brought, from the All Ireland Junior Cup Final in 2014/15 through to now it is easy to forget that only five years ago Bangor were languishing at the wrong end of Qualifying Two. It was a case of the club struggling to get three teams out with no supporters attending games or spending money in the clubhouse.
The club hadn't been to a Cup Final in 24 years and now they have been to three in fifteen months. So whilst this team does have experience, as a club it's still exciting, rewarding and the buzz about the club is the same for this one as it was for the Junior Cup Final in December.
The players are totally focused on the Towns Cup Final and are keen to complete the domestic treble in one season. An achievement that is done by the very best club sides.
The players are well rested with the Bangor club indebted to Ballyclare RFC for bringing forward their final league game with Bangor from Saturday to last Thursday night. It was a gesture from a great club that promotes the true values of the amateur club game in Ulster.
Bangor make a number of changes from the team that played against Ballyclare. The Bangor team and replacements for tomorrow's game are as follows:
15. Ross McCloskey
14. Neil Cuthbertson.
13. Mike Weir
12. Jason Morgan
11. Mark Widdowson
10. Gareth Millar
9. Jason Guthrie
8. Jamie Clegg (Captain)
7. Mike Apsley
6. David Bradford
5. Craig Burton
4. Darren Kelly
3. Philip Whyte
2. Conor McEvoy
1. Michael Ferguson
Replacements
16. Orran McILLmurray
17. James Leary
18. Dave Caughey
19 Curtis Stewart
20. Desi Fusco
Andrew Jackson misses out on a final place due to injury. Rob Gamble is on standby to cover any late injury withdrawls.
Enniskillen Head Coach/President Norman Richmond and his players are looking forward to the Final. He has a full squad available for selection. The spirit within the camp and among the players is good as his squad look forward to the game. He is aware his players need to produce a good performance and he knows his players are capable of producing against strong opposition such as Bangor. The North Down side are a quality team and their position in Qualifying One is a reflection of their position in Ulster rugby.
All the players are looking forward to the challenge that awaits them at Kingspan on Easter Monday. This is a fantastic achievement for Enniskillen RFC and the County of Fermanagh. The commitment that the players have shown all year has been excellent. It would be wrong of me not to mention the strong support that the team has within the club and to all those people the Head coach/Prersident wants to personally thank them.
Irrespective of the result on Monday the Head Coach is immensely proud of all his players. Club Captain Alan Wilkinson has performed strongly on the team and his leadership has helped all the players to keep their focus during their Towns Cup campaign. Enniskillen believe they have a well balanced team that can deliver and continue their progress not only in the Cup but promotion from Q 2 to Q 1 is also a goal for the team this season. A lot of critics have written off the team for the Final against Bangor. Enniskillen will take to the field as underdogs but the coach is adamant the players deserve their place in the Towns Cup Final. The team has beaten quality opposition on route to the final and they aren't going just to make up the numbers at Kingspan Stadium on Easter Monday.
The Enniskillen team and replacements:
15. Ashley Finlay
14. James Ferguson
13. Mattie Maguire
12. Alan Wilkinson (Captain)
11 Steve Neill
10. Adam Lendrum
9. Nick Finlay
8. Richard Lee
7. Richard Johnston
6. Jamie Johnston
5. David Buchanan
4. Kaine Holden
3. Steven Fox
2. Ryan Cathcart
1. Gavin Warrington
Replacements
16. Gareth Beatty
17. Stephen Walsh
18. Michael Cadden
19. Jack Harte
20. Zach Charlton
Both teams are renowed for playing open running rugby. Hopefully spectators from both clubs will turn out in large numbers to watch the final.
The Powerade Towns Cup Final will take place on Monday 28th March at 2.30pm - gates open at 1.30pm.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking here and they will also be available from 1.30pm at the Ticket Booth located on Onslow Parade. Parking is available to spectators on a first come, first served basis with entry through the Mount Merrion Avenue Gate.
The Clubhouse Bar, located under the main Grandstand will be open from 1.30pm along with the Vanilla Black coffee and confectionary unit and Linen Hall catering van.
Bangor had a purple patch between 1968 and 1975 when the club won the Towns Cup on four occasions.
Bangor 1st XV defeated Dungannon 26 - 11 in 1968
Bangor 1st XV defeated Ards 14 - 12 in 1969
Bangor 2nd XV defeated Ards 3 - 0 in 1969
Bangor 2nd XV defeated Dungannon 2nd XV 3 - 0 in 1975.
Enniskillen last contested the Towns Cup Final in 2007 when they lost 13 -9 against neighbours, Clogher Valley.
In 1987, Enniskillen lost 9 - 4 to Ballynahinch. The club last won the Towns Cup in 1937 when they defeated Dromore 5 - 3.
The progress of both teams in 2016 included the following wins:
Bangor:
1st round: Defeated Lisburn 77 - 7.
2nd round: Defeated Ballymena seconds 10 - 3.
Quarter Finals: Defeated Donaghadee 48 - 3.
Semi Finals: Defeated Omagh 25 - 12.
Enniskillen
1st round: Defeated Rainey seconds 34 - 12.
2nd round: Defeated Lurgan 32 - 17.
Quarter Finals: Defeated Ballynahinch seconds 16 - 0.
Semi Finals: Defeated Clogher Valley 8 - 6.
The Bangor 1st XV are on the verge of completing an unique domestic treble in 2015/16. The team have already won the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup defeating Instonians 7 - 5 in December. They secured the Kukri Qualifying league One title at Upritchard Park last Thursday night after defeating Ballyclare 36 - 14. The team will now represent Ulster in the Ulster Bank AIL Round Robin Playoffs with their first match against Connacht league champions Westport at Upritchard Park on Saturday 2nd April. The team lost out to Leinster champions Enniscorthy in the semi finals of the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup this season. A remarkable season for a playing squad that has been transformed under the leadership of Head Coach Jason Morgan and his assistant Michael Ferguson.
1st XV Manager Ricky Armstrong along with the coaches and players are looking forward to another Cup Final at Kingspan Stadium with everybody enjoying the success that the hard work has brought.
With the success the past 15 months has brought, from the All Ireland Junior Cup Final in 2014/15 through to now it is easy to forget that only five years ago Bangor were languishing at the wrong end of Qualifying Two. It was a case of the club struggling to get three teams out with no supporters attending games or spending money in the clubhouse.
The club hadn't been to a Cup Final in 24 years and now they have been to three in fifteen months. So whilst this team does have experience, as a club it's still exciting, rewarding and the buzz about the club is the same for this one as it was for the Junior Cup Final in December.
The players are totally focused on the Towns Cup Final and are keen to complete the domestic treble in one season. An achievement that is done by the very best club sides.
The players are well rested with the Bangor club indebted to Ballyclare RFC for bringing forward their final league game with Bangor from Saturday to last Thursday night. It was a gesture from a great club that promotes the true values of the amateur club game in Ulster.
Bangor make a number of changes from the team that played against Ballyclare. The Bangor team and replacements for tomorrow's game are as follows:
15. Ross McCloskey
14. Neil Cuthbertson.
13. Mike Weir
12. Jason Morgan
11. Mark Widdowson
10. Gareth Millar
9. Jason Guthrie
8. Jamie Clegg (Captain)
7. Mike Apsley
6. David Bradford
5. Craig Burton
4. Darren Kelly
3. Philip Whyte
2. Conor McEvoy
1. Michael Ferguson
Replacements
16. Orran McILLmurray
17. James Leary
18. Dave Caughey
19 Curtis Stewart
20. Desi Fusco
Andrew Jackson misses out on a final place due to injury. Rob Gamble is on standby to cover any late injury withdrawls.
Enniskillen Head Coach/President Norman Richmond and his players are looking forward to the Final. He has a full squad available for selection. The spirit within the camp and among the players is good as his squad look forward to the game. He is aware his players need to produce a good performance and he knows his players are capable of producing against strong opposition such as Bangor. The North Down side are a quality team and their position in Qualifying One is a reflection of their position in Ulster rugby.
All the players are looking forward to the challenge that awaits them at Kingspan on Easter Monday. This is a fantastic achievement for Enniskillen RFC and the County of Fermanagh. The commitment that the players have shown all year has been excellent. It would be wrong of me not to mention the strong support that the team has within the club and to all those people the Head coach/Prersident wants to personally thank them.
Irrespective of the result on Monday the Head Coach is immensely proud of all his players. Club Captain Alan Wilkinson has performed strongly on the team and his leadership has helped all the players to keep their focus during their Towns Cup campaign. Enniskillen believe they have a well balanced team that can deliver and continue their progress not only in the Cup but promotion from Q 2 to Q 1 is also a goal for the team this season. A lot of critics have written off the team for the Final against Bangor. Enniskillen will take to the field as underdogs but the coach is adamant the players deserve their place in the Towns Cup Final. The team has beaten quality opposition on route to the final and they aren't going just to make up the numbers at Kingspan Stadium on Easter Monday.
The Enniskillen team and replacements:
15. Ashley Finlay
14. James Ferguson
13. Mattie Maguire
12. Alan Wilkinson (Captain)
11 Steve Neill
10. Adam Lendrum
9. Nick Finlay
8. Richard Lee
7. Richard Johnston
6. Jamie Johnston
5. David Buchanan
4. Kaine Holden
3. Steven Fox
2. Ryan Cathcart
1. Gavin Warrington
Replacements
16. Gareth Beatty
17. Stephen Walsh
18. Michael Cadden
19. Jack Harte
20. Zach Charlton
Both teams are renowed for playing open running rugby. Hopefully spectators from both clubs will turn out in large numbers to watch the final.
The Powerade Towns Cup Final will take place on Monday 28th March at 2.30pm - gates open at 1.30pm.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking here and they will also be available from 1.30pm at the Ticket Booth located on Onslow Parade. Parking is available to spectators on a first come, first served basis with entry through the Mount Merrion Avenue Gate.
The Clubhouse Bar, located under the main Grandstand will be open from 1.30pm along with the Vanilla Black coffee and confectionary unit and Linen Hall catering van.