After a week of cup competitions, the clubs' attentions return to the Kukri Qualifying Leagues.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE ONE
What a start to the Kukri Qualifying League with Clogher Valley scoring over 100 points and conceding none in their opening two wins over Ballymoney and UUC. Already, challengers such as Portadown, CIYMS and Bangor are looking at the Valley team sitting top with ten points.
The action continues this weekend with four of the potential contenders meeting each ...
After a week of cup competitions, the clubs' attentions return to the Kukri Qualifying Leagues. KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE ONE What a start to the Kukri Qualifying League with Clogher Valley scoring over 100 points and conceding none in their opening two wins over Ballymoney and UUC. Already, challengers such as Portadown, CIYMS and Bangor are looking at the Valley team sitting top with ten points. The action continues this weekend with four of the potential contenders meeting each other. Bangor v Clogher Valley What a tasty encounter at Upritchard Park. Bangor lost narrowly to champions Portadown on the opening day but bounced back with a 50 point win over Academy in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup last week. Even at this early stage, they will consider it a must win at home if they are to be considered title challengers. A diffiuclt game to call. Coleraine v UUC This could be a feisty encounter between the two town rivals. Despite a narrow opening day defeat to Cooke, Coleraine have bounced back with wins over Ballymoney and Dungannon 2nds. Coach Richard Beggs, with the help of Stephen Douglas, has moulded an experienced squad that could surprise many teams in this league. The addition of young South African scrumhalf Bokkie Carstens, who can also play in the number 10 jersey, appears to be a good signing by the club. UUC will have been encouraged by their 50 point win over Ards 2nds in the Cup but their league position doesn't lie. They need to start winning league games. Coleraine to win. Donaghadee v Cooke Donaldson Park always presents a difficult challenge for any visitor and with the visit of old adversaries Cooke, the confrontation on the pitch will be intense from the first whistle. The 'Dee men won their opening game against Dromore and lost 10-3 away to champions Portadown. They know they have to win their home fixtures if they want to challenge for a place in next season's All Ireland Junior Cup. After a bright start at Coleraine, Cooke have lost recent games to Dromore and Ballyclare. They are contending with a number of injuries but they have strengthened their playing squad and coach Colin Atkinson will be looking a big performance from his team. This should be a very close game. Dromore v Ballymoney Barban Hill will provide a stern test for Jason Taggart and his players, but a hard earned cup win over Lisburn will have lifted confidence. Dromore have moved on from an opening day defeat to win at Cooke and put 85 points on Armagh 2nds in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup last Saturday. Roared on by their large support, expect Dromore to pick up another four league points. Portadown v CIYMS Last season's champions and runners up meet early in the season at Chambers Park. Portadown coach Richard Hedley will have been disappointed to lose talisman Stuart Lamb with a serious injury at Bangor, but he has strengthened significantly with a number of players arriving from Enniskillen. Their playing resources will be fully tested by a confident CIYMS squad coached by Graham Cloke and led by their captain Stuart Ferguson. CI's goal is to win the league this season but Portadown are as strong as ever.
 KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE TWO Ballyclare set out their ambitions for this season by winning their opening league game 33-6 at Lisburn. Having lost out narrowly to Bangor last season they have to be the favourites to secure promotion. Clubs including Omagh and Grosvenor may have a say in their challenge. Academy v Lisburn After being relegated last season, Academy will want to win this opening match to make a statement of their intentions. Lisburn have strengthened their playing squad but their opening defeat to the 'White Hare' men shows how difficult this league will be. Academy to win. Enniskillen v Carrickfergus Both teams suffered surprising home defeats in their Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup matches last Saturday. If both teams want to be league contenders this is must win game. Enniskillen have lost a number of players for this campaign so they may struggle to repeat their feat of third place last season. Grosvenor v Omagh The outstanding game in Kukri Qualifying Two. Grosvenor and Omagh defeated Ballymena 2ds and Malone 2ds respectively in the Junior Cup to set up an enthralling encounter at Belmont this weekend. Neither team can lose this game in their quest to challenge and keep the pressure on Ballyclare. A very difficult game to call. Limavady v Ballyclare On paper there is only one winner and that is Ballyclare. Limavady have had a busy pre-season and recorded an excellent win at Enniskillen in the Junior Cup. The men from the Roe Valley will be difficult to beat on their home turf at the John Hunter Memorial grounds. The win by Ballyclare at home to Cooke last Saturday would make them clear favourites. Can Limavady give hope to the rest of the chasing pack by defeating the' Clare team? Expect a large crowd out for this game. Strabane and Randalstown have no fixtures this weekend. If you're doing nothing on Saturday, come out and support your local club.
After a week of cup competitions, the clubs' attentions return to the Kukri Qualifying Leagues. KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE ONE What a start to the Kukri Qualifying League with Clogher Valley scoring over 100 points and conceding none in their opening two wins over Ballymoney and UUC. Already, challengers such as Portadown, CIYMS and Bangor are looking at the Valley team sitting top with ten points. The action continues this weekend with four of the potential contenders meeting each other. Bangor v Clogher Valley What a tasty encounter at Upritchard Park. Bangor lost narrowly to champions Portadown on the opening day but bounced back with a 50 point win over Academy in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup last week. Even at this early stage, they will consider it a must win at home if they are to be considered title challengers. A diffiuclt game to call. Coleraine v UUC This could be a feisty encounter between the two town rivals. Despite a narrow opening day defeat to Cooke, Coleraine have bounced back with wins over Ballymoney and Dungannon 2nds. Coach Richard Beggs, with the help of Stephen Douglas, has moulded an experienced squad that could surprise many teams in this league. The addition of young South African scrumhalf Bokkie Carstens, who can also play in the number 10 jersey, appears to be a good signing by the club. UUC will have been encouraged by their 50 point win over Ards 2nds in the Cup but their league position doesn't lie. They need to start winning league games. Coleraine to win. Donaghadee v Cooke Donaldson Park always presents a difficult challenge for any visitor and with the visit of old adversaries Cooke, the confrontation on the pitch will be intense from the first whistle. The 'Dee men won their opening game against Dromore and lost 10-3 away to champions Portadown. They know they have to win their home fixtures if they want to challenge for a place in next season's All Ireland Junior Cup. After a bright start at Coleraine, Cooke have lost recent games to Dromore and Ballyclare. They are contending with a number of injuries but they have strengthened their playing squad and coach Colin Atkinson will be looking a big performance from his team. This should be a very close game. Dromore v Ballymoney Barban Hill will provide a stern test for Jason Taggart and his players, but a hard earned cup win over Lisburn will have lifted confidence. Dromore have moved on from an opening day defeat to win at Cooke and put 85 points on Armagh 2nds in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup last Saturday. Roared on by their large support, expect Dromore to pick up another four league points. Portadown v CIYMS Last season's champions and runners up meet early in the season at Chambers Park. Portadown coach Richard Hedley will have been disappointed to lose talisman Stuart Lamb with a serious injury at Bangor, but he has strengthened significantly with a number of players arriving from Enniskillen. Their playing resources will be fully tested by a confident CIYMS squad coached by Graham Cloke and led by their captain Stuart Ferguson. CI's goal is to win the league this season but Portadown are as strong as ever.
 KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE TWO Ballyclare set out their ambitions for this season by winning their opening league game 33-6 at Lisburn. Having lost out narrowly to Bangor last season they have to be the favourites to secure promotion. Clubs including Omagh and Grosvenor may have a say in their challenge. Academy v Lisburn After being relegated last season, Academy will want to win this opening match to make a statement of their intentions. Lisburn have strengthened their playing squad but their opening defeat to the 'White Hare' men shows how difficult this league will be. Academy to win. Enniskillen v Carrickfergus Both teams suffered surprising home defeats in their Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup matches last Saturday. If both teams want to be league contenders this is must win game. Enniskillen have lost a number of players for this campaign so they may struggle to repeat their feat of third place last season. Grosvenor v Omagh The outstanding game in Kukri Qualifying Two. Grosvenor and Omagh defeated Ballymena 2ds and Malone 2ds respectively in the Junior Cup to set up an enthralling encounter at Belmont this weekend. Neither team can lose this game in their quest to challenge and keep the pressure on Ballyclare. A very difficult game to call. Limavady v Ballyclare On paper there is only one winner and that is Ballyclare. Limavady have had a busy pre-season and recorded an excellent win at Enniskillen in the Junior Cup. The men from the Roe Valley will be difficult to beat on their home turf at the John Hunter Memorial grounds. The win by Ballyclare at home to Cooke last Saturday would make them clear favourites. Can Limavady give hope to the rest of the chasing pack by defeating the' Clare team? Expect a large crowd out for this game. Strabane and Randalstown have no fixtures this weekend. If you're doing nothing on Saturday, come out and support your local club.