Ballynahinch (7th) v Young Munster (4th)
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Ballynahinch: LWLWWLDLW; Young Munster: LWLWWWLLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Ballynahinch: Points: Richard Reaney 45; Tries: Ross Adair 4; Young Munster: Points: Ben Martin 38; Tries: Ed O'Keeffe 3
Having beaten the top two, Ballynahinch should be further up the table and that will be their clear aim over the New Year. They are in buoyant form with Terenure toppled and the Ulster Senior Cup title secured. Head coach Derek Suffern said the win over leaders 'Nure was 'definitely the best performance we've had at home in two years in Division 1A', singling out number 8 Michael Graham for high praise. However, Young Munster are riding high in fourth place and won 29-20 at home to 'Hinch last month. Ed O'Keeffe, who plays on the wing or at centre, has impressed with three recent tries.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B
Belfast Harlequins (10th) v UL Bohemians (6th)
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Belfast Harlequins: LLWLWLLLL; UL Bohemians: WWLLLLLLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Belfast Harlequins: Points: Eamon Lane 46; Tries: Sean Reidy 3; UL Bohemians: Points: Shane Airey 78; Tries: Ed Kelly, Ian Condell, Rory White 2 each
UL Bohemians finally put a stop to their wretched run of form when winning 14-12 away to Corinthians - it was their first league victory since September. Bohs out-half Shane Airey is now the top points scorer across Division 1A and 1B with 78 points, his efforts helping the Limerick men move back up to sixth place. Bottom side Harlequins will feel they owe UL one after a last-gasp try denied them victory on Thomond Park's back pitch in September. A hard one to call, but home advantage may just do it for Adam Larkin's 'Quins.
Corinthians (9th) v Ballymena (2nd)
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Corinthians: LWLLWLWLL; Ballymena: WWWWWLLWW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Corinthians: Points: Conor Murphy 34; Tries: Eoghan Masterson, Conor Murphy 3 each; Ballymena: Points: Tim Small 54; Tries: Tim Small, Sean Taylor 5 each
Hard to look past another Ballymena win here, especially as Andy Graham's men seem to have improved since their opening day 20-0 defeat of Corinthians at Eaton Park. Corinthians are also more fluid in their play these days, but Pat Cunningham's charges have struggled for results - notably, they have lost three of their last four home games. The key for the Galway men is to quell the influence of Ballymena's back-three and their back row. Full-back Sean Taylor scored his fifth try of the campaign against Buccs, while Stephen Mulholland continues to set the standard for other back rowers in the division.
Buccaneers (5th) v Malone (7th)
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Buccaneers: LWWLLWDWL; Malone: WLLLWWLLL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Buccaneers: Points: Alan Gaughan 57; Tries: Jacob Walshe 4; Malone: Points: Josh Pentland 72; Tries: Rory Campbell 4
The move to a Saturday night floodlit fixture may just inspire Buccaneers to get back on track after a frustrating 23-8 loss to second-placed Ballymena. They host another Ulster club here, as Malone make the trip to the midlands desperate to end their three-match losing streak which has seen them slide to seventh place in the table. They will want to rekindle the form which saw them dispatch Buccs 29-11 in the opening round. Buccs' tails should be up after they won the Connacht Senior Cup last week for the first time since 2007, while Malone will be keen to bounce back from their Ulster Senior Cup final reversal to Ballynahinch.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A
Cashel (8th) v Rainey Old Boys (10th)
Just a point between these two sides as they face the final game of 2014 at the midway stage in the league. Cashel joined the list of teams who have lost to Old Wesley in their last outing. Prior to that they accounted for UCC and Nenagh Ormond. Rainey have won their last two games so all told, it could be a tight affair in Tipperary.
City of Derry (12th) v Blackrock College (2nd)
The home team picked up their second win of the campaign in their last outing against a struggling Dungannon. 'Rock have notched up nearly 90 points in their last three games, including wins over Dungannon, Thomond and Naas. Form favours the Dubliners here and you would have to back 'Rock to take the points.
Dungannon (15th) v Banbridge (9th)
Another tough Ulster derby for Dungannon as they struggle to get out of the relegation zone. The Bann have faced some of the leading sides in recent games and acquitted themselves well. The visitors are favourites but can the home side spring a surprise?
Queen's University (4th) v Bective Rangers (14th)
Queen's inter-varsity win over UCC in the last round of games pushed them up to fourth in the table, ten places above their visitors Bective. The Dubliners have only managed two wins in the league this season. Another loss on Saturday could condemn them to a real dogfight in 2015. A home win is on the cards.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
Ards (16th) v Armagh (4th)
Ards are rooted to the bottom of the table and without a win to date in the league. That is unlikely to change on Saturday in this Ulster derby as Armagh are ticking along nicely in fourth place. An away win is expected here.
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND JUNIOR CUP SEMI FINAL REPLAY
Dundalk v CIYMS
CIYMS and Dundalk will go head to head in Dundalk to decide Bangor’s opponent in the final. Both teams played out a thrilling semi final draw. With no floodlights available at Belmont, both teams were unable to play extra time. There is little to choose between both teams with Dundalk possibly slight favourites. CIYMS are at full strength with no injuries.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
Instonians v Clogher Valley
This weekend we have the meeting of the top two teams Instonians and Clogher Valley at Shawsbridge. Clogher Valley will be missing Captain Aaron Best, Seamus McKenna, David Dunlop and Phil Moore through injury after their bruising physical contest with Bangor last weekend in the AIL Junior Cup semi final. Alastair Trenier is unavailable with Clive Donaldson, Mark Ellis and Matthew Robinson starting. Back row forward David Sharkey takes over the captaincy with Ronan McAleer and Nathan Orr on the bench. Instonians coach William Leacock described his sides Junior Cup final with Omagh as ‘warfare’ with both sides picking up several injuries from the contest. He has delayed selection until tonight as his battered and bruised playing squad recover from their Junior Cup triumph. It is interesting to note how opposition sides have made life difficult for the runaway leaders Instonians in recent weeks. Coming matches against Clogher Valley and Portadown will go along way to deciding the winners of Q1. Sure to attract another large crowd to the magnificent Shaw's Bridge venue.
Ballyclare v Portadown
Ballyclare host Portadown as both teams look to secure a top four placing. Portadown have recorded back to back wins with Ballyclare suffering defeats to Clogher Valley and Omagh. A lot at stake for both teams.
Bangor v Cooke
All Ireland Junior Cup finalists Bangor have rung the changes for the visit of injury plagued Cooke. Again Bangor need the points to retain their fourth placing with Cooke looking over their shoulder at Donaghadee and Ballymoney as the relegation battle hots up. Second row Darren Kelly is not available with James Henley taking twelve months out in Australia. Freddie Black and Gareth Irvine will make up the second row. Andrew Jackson and Mark Widdowson take their place on the bench with Ricky Armstrong and Davy Charles rested. Philip Whyte moves to hooker with Oran McIImurray starting at prop. Jamie Ball and Craig Harper will contest the 9 jersey. Desi Fusco starts in the centre alongside Mike Apsley. Chris Morgan and Adam McCusker start on the wings with Mike Weir moving to full back. Cooke coach Colin Atkinson has added Liam Bennett, Graham Jewhurst and winger Andy pollack to his growing injury list and will give several promising youngsters their debut.
Donaghadee v Ballymoney
The focus may be on the top end of the league this weekend but there is a crucial relegation decider involving the bottom two sides Donaghadee and Ballymoney at Donaldson Park. The Dee came unstuck after their win over CIYMS - losing at Dromore. Ballymoney have shown they are no pushovers as they pushed league leaders Instonians all the way before losing 13-0. The Dromore v CIYMS match has had to be postponed due to CIYMS being involved in their AIL Junior Cup replay on Saturday.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Enniskillen v Omagh
We have a thrilling contest at Mullaghmeen on Friday night when Enniskillen host Junior Cup finalists Omagh. These fixtures always attract a large crowd with both teams performing well this season. League favourites Omagh know a win will allow them to regain top place from leaders Carrickfergus. Omagh coach Phil Marshall’s side picked up several injuries in wednesday nights bruising Junior Cup final with Instonians at the Kingspan stadium. Key forwards Mervyn Edgar, Dean Porter and Richard Harpur are already ruled out with three other major injury doubts. Omagh ended up playing two 18 year olds in the back row on wednesday night. Both players impressed with former Omagh Academy 1st XV Captain James Catterson an outstanding prospect along with Stuart Allen who put in a big second half performance. Enniskillen are at full strength after a three week break. Their league game at Lisburn being postponed last Saturday. Coach Norman Richmond will be looking nothing less than a win if his side are to stay involved in the promotion hunt.
Academy v Holywood
Academy coach Gareth Lynn has selected a strong team for the visit of bottom side Holywood to Roughfort. Ross Bryans replaces Simon Patterson at full back with Captain Lee Moody returning after injury.
Grosvenor v Lisburn
There is another important relegation game at Belmont this weekend with the home side Grosvenor hosting Lisburn. Coach Alasdair McKee will have been relieved by his sides 12-7 win at UUC last Saturday.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Limavady v PSNI
Ophir v Newry
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4
Cavan v Letterkenny
Civil Service v BHSFP
HAWKINS CUP
Larne and Carrickfergus compete for the Hawkins Cup at the Tom Simms Memorial Park this weekend. Played over two legs, Larne won the opening encounter in Sept when they defeated Carrick 23-6 at the Glynn. Both teams are sitting top of Q 2 and 3. Bragging rights will add to the intensity