Portadown loose forward Gary Hall has been in fine form this season
The last eight of this season's Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup includes four teams who have played in the last two year's finals; Current holders Clogher Valley and their final opponents Ballynahinch 2nds; 2011 winners Donaghadee and their final opponents Coleraine. The quarter finalists also includes urrent Kukri Qualifying League 1 and 2 leaders Portadown and Ballyclare, along with the inform Ballymoney and ...
Portadown loose forward Gary Hall has been in fine form this season The last eight of this season's Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup includes four teams who have played in the last two year's finals; Current holders Clogher Valley and their final opponents Ballynahinch 2nds; 2011 winners Donaghadee and their final opponents Coleraine. The quarter finalists also includes urrent Kukri Qualifying League 1 and 2 leaders Portadown and Ballyclare, along with the inform Ballymoney and Grosvenor. The semi finals are scheduled for Saturday 30th November with the final at Ravenhill on Wednesday 18th December. BALLYCLARE v CLOGHER VALLEY The Cloughan faithful have witnessed their players overcome the challenge of the Qualifying One teams as they shared the Towns Cup with City of Derry 2nds last season. Such is the strength of the 'Clare squad, they have brushed aside Cooke and Omagh on their way to this season's quarter finals. Their opponents Clogher Valley sit one point behind league leaders Portadown and have also moved into the quarter finals of the All Ireland Junior Cup. Ballyclare like to play a high tempo game with their captain and second row Robert Boyd leading from the front. He is ably supported by Graeme McKinstry and the backrow of Jordan McKinstry, Gary Weatherup and the experienced Willy Logan. Their back line is controlled by half backs Collie Morrow and Niall Lawther who will keep the play deep in the opposition territory. Wingers James Greer and Gareth Byers have lots of pace. Clogher have been rebuilding their playing squad that calls on BJ and Ryan Wilson along with experienced centre PC Falconer. Half backs Aaron Best and Philip Holmes have the talented David Dunlop and winger Clive Donaldson to exploit the space. New faces in the forwards Richard Primrose, Eugene Mckenna and Michael Treanor along with captain Stephen Baxter and the ever-present David Sharkey, demonstrate the quality playing resources available to Clogher coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black. Clogher's added experience will make them slight favourites to win - they will not want to relinquish their hold on this trophy.
BALLYMONEY v DONAGHADEE Kilraughts Road will again have a large crowd of supporters from both clubs for this game. Ballymoney recorded a most impressive 18-39 win at Donaldson Park on 5th October in the league, scoring five tries in the process. Again, Toon coaches Neil Beddow and Jason Taggart know their playing squad has improved this season despite the loss of several keys players. Following a difficult start in the league they have moved up to fifth place after defeating title contenders Bangor last Saturday. In captain and prop Alex Watson they have a strong leader who is ably supported by Aidy Graham, number 8 Jonny Hanna and his two back row colleagues Ryan Clyde and Garvin Bellingham. At half back, Ulster Juniors scrumhalf Scott Nelson and outhalf James Campbell control the play with James Cleland, Nigel Nevin and Ryan Brace providing the pace to score tries. Donaghadee have had to experiment this season with several new faces in the forwards. Their pack will be much changed from the previous encounter with Ballymoney with front row forwards Stuart Hennessey, Gareth Gordon and Chris Good supported by Stephen Adams and Michael Blair in the second row. The backrow contest will not be for the faint hearted with Chris Hamilton, David Murray and Richard Martindale lining out for 'Dee. In the backs they have captain Alastair Lockhart, Paul McKenzie, Rory Garham, Nigel Barker and young wings Ryan Irvine and Chris McGivern to call on. Talented young footballer Mark Cooper may make a start at outhalf after an impressive cameo role against UUC last Saturday. eteran backs Billy Allen and Paul Blewitt will look to push for another Ravenhill final. 'Dee have not won any league or cup fixtures at Ballymoney in four seasons but this could change on Saturday.
BALLYNAHINCH 2nds v PORTADOWN Ballymacarn Park will have the faithful out in large numbers for a repeat of large season's contest when 'Hinch were the winners. The County Down side remain undefeated in all competitions this season and secured a last minute win over the previously unbeaten Ballymena 2nds 13-15 at Eaton Park last Saturday with a last gasp try. This young side will rely on their half backs Ben McMullan and Jordan Gratton to create opportunities for the elusive running of centre Davy Nicholson and fullback Michael Carson. In the forwards 'Hinch will rely on the go forward play of hooker Conor Pyper and back row Josh Donaldson. Portadown, under the guidance of Richard Hedley and Ciaran O'Kane, are also pursuing the league and All Ireland Junior Cup. Captain Jonny Holden and his half back pairing of Barry Gribben and Chris McVitty utilise the strength of the forwards to create try scoring opportunities. The impressive back row of Gary Hall, Diarmund O'Kane and James Carleton continue to control the breakdown area and drive their front five forward. The Chambers Park side is on the trail of silverware this season. Ballynahinch 2nds have a great Cup tradition and will want to return to Ravenhill in December but Portadown might prove too strong, just!
COLERAINE v GROSVENOR Sandel Lodge has an intriguing tie with two sides who have failed to live up to their potential this season. Does the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup provide the opportunity for them to kickstart their campaign? In captain Stephen Douglas, Coleraine have a strong leader who is supported by the hard working Bernard Mullan at 7. In the backs Coleraine have the talented South African Bokkie Carstens at outhalf and the strong running Nigel Hall on the wing to score tries. Grosvenor recorded early season wins over Ballymena 2nds and Omagh and have failed to push on, particularly in the league. They did show their potential recently when they ran league leaders Ballyclare close at Cloughan before losing 39-7. They have talented players in the backs including Peter Davison, Ben Coard, Jamie Meaklin, Mark Atkinson and the impressive tighthead prop Pearce Jamison. Grosvenor coach Peter Lowry uses an aggressive defensive line that could pose problems for the hosts. On paper Coleraine should win but don't be surprised if Grosvenor cause an upset.
Portadown loose forward Gary Hall has been in fine form this season The last eight of this season's Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup includes four teams who have played in the last two year's finals; Current holders Clogher Valley and their final opponents Ballynahinch 2nds; 2011 winners Donaghadee and their final opponents Coleraine. The quarter finalists also includes urrent Kukri Qualifying League 1 and 2 leaders Portadown and Ballyclare, along with the inform Ballymoney and Grosvenor. The semi finals are scheduled for Saturday 30th November with the final at Ravenhill on Wednesday 18th December. BALLYCLARE v CLOGHER VALLEY The Cloughan faithful have witnessed their players overcome the challenge of the Qualifying One teams as they shared the Towns Cup with City of Derry 2nds last season. Such is the strength of the 'Clare squad, they have brushed aside Cooke and Omagh on their way to this season's quarter finals. Their opponents Clogher Valley sit one point behind league leaders Portadown and have also moved into the quarter finals of the All Ireland Junior Cup. Ballyclare like to play a high tempo game with their captain and second row Robert Boyd leading from the front. He is ably supported by Graeme McKinstry and the backrow of Jordan McKinstry, Gary Weatherup and the experienced Willy Logan. Their back line is controlled by half backs Collie Morrow and Niall Lawther who will keep the play deep in the opposition territory. Wingers James Greer and Gareth Byers have lots of pace. Clogher have been rebuilding their playing squad that calls on BJ and Ryan Wilson along with experienced centre PC Falconer. Half backs Aaron Best and Philip Holmes have the talented David Dunlop and winger Clive Donaldson to exploit the space. New faces in the forwards Richard Primrose, Eugene Mckenna and Michael Treanor along with captain Stephen Baxter and the ever-present David Sharkey, demonstrate the quality playing resources available to Clogher coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black. Clogher's added experience will make them slight favourites to win - they will not want to relinquish their hold on this trophy.
BALLYMONEY v DONAGHADEE Kilraughts Road will again have a large crowd of supporters from both clubs for this game. Ballymoney recorded a most impressive 18-39 win at Donaldson Park on 5th October in the league, scoring five tries in the process. Again, Toon coaches Neil Beddow and Jason Taggart know their playing squad has improved this season despite the loss of several keys players. Following a difficult start in the league they have moved up to fifth place after defeating title contenders Bangor last Saturday. In captain and prop Alex Watson they have a strong leader who is ably supported by Aidy Graham, number 8 Jonny Hanna and his two back row colleagues Ryan Clyde and Garvin Bellingham. At half back, Ulster Juniors scrumhalf Scott Nelson and outhalf James Campbell control the play with James Cleland, Nigel Nevin and Ryan Brace providing the pace to score tries. Donaghadee have had to experiment this season with several new faces in the forwards. Their pack will be much changed from the previous encounter with Ballymoney with front row forwards Stuart Hennessey, Gareth Gordon and Chris Good supported by Stephen Adams and Michael Blair in the second row. The backrow contest will not be for the faint hearted with Chris Hamilton, David Murray and Richard Martindale lining out for 'Dee. In the backs they have captain Alastair Lockhart, Paul McKenzie, Rory Garham, Nigel Barker and young wings Ryan Irvine and Chris McGivern to call on. Talented young footballer Mark Cooper may make a start at outhalf after an impressive cameo role against UUC last Saturday. eteran backs Billy Allen and Paul Blewitt will look to push for another Ravenhill final. 'Dee have not won any league or cup fixtures at Ballymoney in four seasons but this could change on Saturday.
BALLYNAHINCH 2nds v PORTADOWN Ballymacarn Park will have the faithful out in large numbers for a repeat of large season's contest when 'Hinch were the winners. The County Down side remain undefeated in all competitions this season and secured a last minute win over the previously unbeaten Ballymena 2nds 13-15 at Eaton Park last Saturday with a last gasp try. This young side will rely on their half backs Ben McMullan and Jordan Gratton to create opportunities for the elusive running of centre Davy Nicholson and fullback Michael Carson. In the forwards 'Hinch will rely on the go forward play of hooker Conor Pyper and back row Josh Donaldson. Portadown, under the guidance of Richard Hedley and Ciaran O'Kane, are also pursuing the league and All Ireland Junior Cup. Captain Jonny Holden and his half back pairing of Barry Gribben and Chris McVitty utilise the strength of the forwards to create try scoring opportunities. The impressive back row of Gary Hall, Diarmund O'Kane and James Carleton continue to control the breakdown area and drive their front five forward. The Chambers Park side is on the trail of silverware this season. Ballynahinch 2nds have a great Cup tradition and will want to return to Ravenhill in December but Portadown might prove too strong, just!
COLERAINE v GROSVENOR Sandel Lodge has an intriguing tie with two sides who have failed to live up to their potential this season. Does the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup provide the opportunity for them to kickstart their campaign? In captain Stephen Douglas, Coleraine have a strong leader who is supported by the hard working Bernard Mullan at 7. In the backs Coleraine have the talented South African Bokkie Carstens at outhalf and the strong running Nigel Hall on the wing to score tries. Grosvenor recorded early season wins over Ballymena 2nds and Omagh and have failed to push on, particularly in the league. They did show their potential recently when they ran league leaders Ballyclare close at Cloughan before losing 39-7. They have talented players in the backs including Peter Davison, Ben Coard, Jamie Meaklin, Mark Atkinson and the impressive tighthead prop Pearce Jamison. Grosvenor coach Peter Lowry uses an aggressive defensive line that could pose problems for the hosts. On paper Coleraine should win but don't be surprised if Grosvenor cause an upset.