All twelve Ulster clubs are in All Ireland League action this weekend. there are derbies in 1B between Dungannon and Malone on Friday night and one in 2A between Banbridge and City of Derry on Saturday.
All games kick off on Saturday at 2.30pm unless stated otherwise.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 1A
BALLYNAHINCH (9th) v DOLPHIN (7th), Ballymacarn Park
Ballynahinch should not be lacking in confidence following their outstanding 26-32 away victory over UCD. Although they still lie second-from-bottom in the table, the result again showed that they are a pretty decent outfit. And crucially 'Hinch have one of the best goal-kickers around in outhalf Richie Lobb. His contribution of 22 points was vital against UCD.
After a promising opening to their campaign, Dolphin have gone through an erratic patch which has seen them drop to fourth-from-bottom. So, they can ill-afford to lose at Ballymacarn Park. There was not much between the sides when Dolphin won 25-18 at home and it promises to be a close-run contest again.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 1B
DUNGANNON (10th) v MALONE (9th), Stevenson Park, Friday 24th January, 7.30pm
A bottom-of-the-table meeting between these two Ulster rivals. Malone have now lost eight on the trot since beating Dungannon 20-10 in their opening game. It is hard to understand why it has gone so badly wrong since. There were, however, some badly needed signs of a bit of an improvement when losing 10-3 away to Corinthians last time out.
While Dungannon have managed two victories, they have also gone down to some huge defeats, notably against Terenure. But they do have a potential match-winner in fullback Peter Nelson.
BUCCANEERS (4th) v BELFAST HARLEQUINS (6th), Dubarry Park
Buccaneers badly need a victory in order to stay in the promotion race; They currently lie in fourth spot behind runaway leaders Terenure. Unsurprisingly, they were unable to stop Terenure at home in their last outing, losing 13-0. But Belfast Harlequins are unlikely to prove nearly as tough.
That said, Buccaneers will not be taking anything for granted. They only won 21-29 at Deramore Park on the opening day of the season and 'Quins do possess an outstanding goal-kicker in outhalf Liam Cambridge. The young Belfast outfit look destined for a mid-table finish this season.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A
BALLYMENA (4th) v CASHEL (9th), Eaton Park
Ballymena were edged out in a low scoring trip to City Of Derry in their most recent game but they are on their own patch this weekend. Cashel also lost out in a Munster derby against UCC so they certainly have a point to prove. The home side should have the edge in this game but Cashel's four losing bonus points show they won't be shaken off easily.
BANBRIDGE (13th) v CITY OF DERRY (3rd), Rifle Park
With so many Ulster clubs in this division there is a derby game nearly every week. That always adds an extra bit of spice to the proceedings. Banbridge will need that and more if they are stop City of Derry who beat Ballymena last time out. The visitors are only in third on points difference and should still be in the top four come final whistle on Saturday.
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY (2nd) v OLD WESLEY (7th), Dub Lane
Second place and four try bonuses for a Queen’s side keen to dispel that old myth about University sides falling away as the season goes on. No sign of that with the lads in Dub Lane! Wesley are just on the edge of that chasing group, seven points behind their hosts and travelling on the back of a win over neighbours and rivals Bective.
RAINEY OB (8th) v NUIM BARNHALL (5th), Hatrick Park
Mid table, with four wins and four losses the lads from Hatrick Park are 'evenly balanced as they face into the rest of the season. Visitors NUIM Barnhall let Banbridge get away from them in the early stages last time out but hauled it back to take the win 37-30. A quick start by the Parsonstown/Maynooth boys could see them take the result on the road.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2B
ARDS (12th) v SKERRIES (5th), Hamilton Park
An important game for both clubs but for different reasons with the home side hoping to keep out of the relegation zone and the visitors chasing a top four slot. Ards lost on the road two weeks ago while Skerries beat Thomond in Holmpatrick. The visitors probably have the edge for this one.
ARMAGH (3rd) v BOYNE (11th), Palace Grounds
Another important game that can have a bearing on the top four as thirdplaced Armagh hope to close the gap on Greystones and Nenagh Ormond. Boyne picked up a good win on the road against Suttonians to take them clear of the worry zone but they face a different challenge in the Palace Grounds on Saturday.
MIDLETON (13th) v INSTONIANS (15th), Towns Park
A really big game at the wrong end of the table with three points between the sides. Both sides lost their last game so there is a point to prove as well. Hard to know how it will go but home advantage could be key.