It is an exciting period in the club rugby calendar as four Ulster teams chase promotion in the Ulster Bank League play-offs.
ROUND UP
Congratulations to Banbridge Head Coach Daniel Soper and his assistants Simon Best and Simon McKinstry on the promotion of Banbridge 1st XV to Division 1B of the Ulster Bank League, where they will join fellow Ulster teams Ballynahinch and Ballymena. Can Malone make it four teams by progressing through the playoffs?
Both Ballynahinch and Ballymena retained their place in Division 1B with Josh McIlroy kicking a late penalty to see Ballymena home by 13-10 against Limerick visitors Shannon. Shannon avoided finishing in 9th place by one point from Dolphin.
Perhaps the most pleasing performance of the weekend was by relegated Ulster side Belfast Harlequins. The Deramore side travelled to third placed Nenagh Ormond and went down to a late score to lose 42-38. ‘Quins scored six tries through Mark Glover (3), Ian Anderson (2) and Neil Montgomery (1). Head coach Andrew Gillespie was delighted with the performance to end what has been a disappointing season.
In Division 2B, Armagh narrowly missed out on the automatic promotion place by losing out to winners Greystones by one point. At the bottom end of the table, City of Derry, despite losing 19-14 at Skerries, finished in 8th place, one point ahead of 9th place Bective.
Rainey continued their good form in Division 2C by defeating Bangor 49-0 at Hatrick Park.
Omagh RFC complete their Round Robin Tournament fixtures this weekend. After losing their opening game against Malahide, Omagh travelled to Connacht and defeated Ballina 17-7. This weekend the match between Omagh and Clonmel will decide 2nd place behind winners Malahide who have secured their place in the UBL next season.
PREVIEWS
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B/2A PLAY-OFF
Dolphin v Malone, Irish Independent Park
Malone put in a strong display at home to Cashel last Saturday winning 45-14. Head Coach Paddy Armstrong was delighted to see the club’s 2nd XV winning the McCrea Cup on Easter Monday with the club’s 3rd XV and 4th XV having successful seasons in their leagues.
Dolphin at Irish Independent Park will be a very big challenge for his team but the players are very positive in training and looking forward to the challenge. The coach welcomes back Jack Owens into the squad and he is delighted to see Josh Ferguson returning to training after a long absence through injury.
Malone have taken 12 from a possible 15 points in their last 3 matches, scoring 15 tries. The backline of Shane Kelly, Callum Smith, Michael Cartmill, Mark McCrea, Nathan Brown, Mark O’Connor, Jack Owens and Andy Bryans will not fear their more illustrious opponents who have won 5 of their last 6 games, with their only defeat coming against league winners Buccaneers.
Captain Neill Alcorn and his forwards have been solid and industrious in their performances against the stronger teams. Their goal will be to provide plenty of ball for the talented and free-running Malone backline. If this Malone team are to play in Division 1B they have to defeat teams like Dolphin.
A win on Saturday and Malone will have to return to Munster to play the winners of the Highfield v Nenagh Ormond match. It has been a difficult few weeks of travelling for games in Tipperary and Cork - can the East Belfast side defy the odds and be successful in the next two weeks?
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A/2B PLAY-OFF
Armagh v Wanderers, Palace Grounds
It is all about the playoffs for Head Coach Alex McCloy and his Armagh players. Win this week and, like Malone, they could face travelling to Cork to play Sunday’s Well or a home playoff final with Old Crescent.
Two defeats against league winners Greystones and Wanderers after Christmas denied the Orchard County side the automatic promotion place by one point.
McCloy is not expecting too many changes from the team that defeated Bective Rangers 36-16 at home last Saturday. In-form centre Stuart Lester has scored four tries for his team in their last three matches, including a decisive try in the SONI Ulster Premiership win at Ballymena. With the dry, firm conditions, Armagh have scored 14 tries in their last 2 UBL games. Spectators will no doubt be treated to another fast and furious game at the Palace Grounds on Saturday.
These two teams have met twice this season; Armagh won the first meeting at home (39-11) in December, but lost 23-14 in the return game at the Aviva Stadium the following month.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B/2C PLAY-OFF
Sligo v Rainey OB, Hamilton Park
Can this Magherafelt side reverse the two defeats they have suffered against Sligo in the league this season? When the two sides met at Hamilton Park in Sligo on in October the home side won 19-18 and they won the return fixture at Hatrick Park by 17-13. On that evidence there is not a lot between the teams but Rainey Head Coach John Andrews and his players know they will have to raise their game if they are to get a result. If they get through they will face a trip to Donnybrook to play Bective or a home playoff final with Tullamore.
The coach is hoping to have Ulster Academy prop Tommy O’Hagan, Ireland U19 second row John McCusker and captain Jonny Lees returning this weekend. Rainey scored 7 tries in their 49-0 defeat of Bangor to bring their total to 15 tries in their last 3 UBL matches. Young fullback Scott McLean continues to impress after converting 7 from 7 conversion attempts last week. Experienced former Ulster players Ricky Andrew and Tim Barker will have crucial roles in guiding this young squad through this match.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE ROUND ROBIN PLAYOFF
Omagh v Clonmel, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
Expect another big crowd at Omagh for this crucial fixture with three-time Munster Junior league champions Clonmel. It will not be easy as Clonmel look to join their Tipperary neighbours Nenagh Ormond and Cashel in playing in the UBL next season. If Omagh win they will be one step away form returning to the All Ireland League they last played in for three seasons in the late 1990s.
After losing their opening game against Round Robin winners Malahide, Omagh travelled to Ballina, winning a tight game 17-7. The experienced back row forward Mervyn Edgar scored tries in both fixtures against Malahide and Ballina. He has a crucial role in leading the forwards as they look to dominate their Munster opponents and create the space for the talented Omagh backline.
Head Coach Philip Marshall is expecting a really tough game with Clonmel. He has made a number of changes due to the unavailability of backs Stephen MacLaine and Adam Beatty. He welcomes back Alan Heaney, Ryan Mitchell and Lee Murphy into the squad.
The winners of this match will play Boyne away on Saturday the 29th April for a place in the UBL next season.
ROUND UP
Congratulations to Banbridge Head Coach Daniel Soper and his assistants Simon Best and Simon McKinstry on the promotion of Banbridge 1st XV to Division 1B of the Ulster Bank League, where they will join fellow Ulster teams Ballynahinch and Ballymena. Can Malone make it four teams by progressing through the playoffs?
Both Ballynahinch and Ballymena retained their place in Division 1B with Josh McIlroy kicking a late penalty to see Ballymena home by 13-10 against Limerick visitors Shannon. Shannon avoided finishing in 9th place by one point from Dolphin.
Perhaps the most pleasing performance of the weekend was by relegated Ulster side Belfast Harlequins. The Deramore side travelled to third placed Nenagh Ormond and went down to a late score to lose 42-38. ‘Quins scored six tries through Mark Glover (3), Ian Anderson (2) and Neil Montgomery (1). Head coach Andrew Gillespie was delighted with the performance to end what has been a disappointing season.
In Division 2B, Armagh narrowly missed out on the automatic promotion place by losing out to winners Greystones by one point. At the bottom end of the table, City of Derry, despite losing 19-14 at Skerries, finished in 8th place, one point ahead of 9th place Bective.
Rainey continued their good form in Division 2C by defeating Bangor 49-0 at Hatrick Park.
Omagh RFC complete their Round Robin Tournament fixtures this weekend. After losing their opening game against Malahide, Omagh travelled to Connacht and defeated Ballina 17-7. This weekend the match between Omagh and Clonmel will decide 2nd place behind winners Malahide who have secured their place in the UBL next season.
PREVIEWS
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B/2A PLAY-OFF
Dolphin v Malone, Irish Independent Park
Malone put in a strong display at home to Cashel last Saturday winning 45-14. Head Coach Paddy Armstrong was delighted to see the club’s 2nd XV winning the McCrea Cup on Easter Monday with the club’s 3rd XV and 4th XV having successful seasons in their leagues.
Dolphin at Irish Independent Park will be a very big challenge for his team but the players are very positive in training and looking forward to the challenge. The coach welcomes back Jack Owens into the squad and he is delighted to see Josh Ferguson returning to training after a long absence through injury.
Malone have taken 12 from a possible 15 points in their last 3 matches, scoring 15 tries. The backline of Shane Kelly, Callum Smith, Michael Cartmill, Mark McCrea, Nathan Brown, Mark O’Connor, Jack Owens and Andy Bryans will not fear their more illustrious opponents who have won 5 of their last 6 games, with their only defeat coming against league winners Buccaneers.
Captain Neill Alcorn and his forwards have been solid and industrious in their performances against the stronger teams. Their goal will be to provide plenty of ball for the talented and free-running Malone backline. If this Malone team are to play in Division 1B they have to defeat teams like Dolphin.
A win on Saturday and Malone will have to return to Munster to play the winners of the Highfield v Nenagh Ormond match. It has been a difficult few weeks of travelling for games in Tipperary and Cork - can the East Belfast side defy the odds and be successful in the next two weeks?
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A/2B PLAY-OFF
Armagh v Wanderers, Palace Grounds
It is all about the playoffs for Head Coach Alex McCloy and his Armagh players. Win this week and, like Malone, they could face travelling to Cork to play Sunday’s Well or a home playoff final with Old Crescent.
Two defeats against league winners Greystones and Wanderers after Christmas denied the Orchard County side the automatic promotion place by one point.
McCloy is not expecting too many changes from the team that defeated Bective Rangers 36-16 at home last Saturday. In-form centre Stuart Lester has scored four tries for his team in their last three matches, including a decisive try in the SONI Ulster Premiership win at Ballymena. With the dry, firm conditions, Armagh have scored 14 tries in their last 2 UBL games. Spectators will no doubt be treated to another fast and furious game at the Palace Grounds on Saturday.
These two teams have met twice this season; Armagh won the first meeting at home (39-11) in December, but lost 23-14 in the return game at the Aviva Stadium the following month.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B/2C PLAY-OFF
Sligo v Rainey OB, Hamilton Park
Can this Magherafelt side reverse the two defeats they have suffered against Sligo in the league this season? When the two sides met at Hamilton Park in Sligo on in October the home side won 19-18 and they won the return fixture at Hatrick Park by 17-13. On that evidence there is not a lot between the teams but Rainey Head Coach John Andrews and his players know they will have to raise their game if they are to get a result. If they get through they will face a trip to Donnybrook to play Bective or a home playoff final with Tullamore.
The coach is hoping to have Ulster Academy prop Tommy O’Hagan, Ireland U19 second row John McCusker and captain Jonny Lees returning this weekend. Rainey scored 7 tries in their 49-0 defeat of Bangor to bring their total to 15 tries in their last 3 UBL matches. Young fullback Scott McLean continues to impress after converting 7 from 7 conversion attempts last week. Experienced former Ulster players Ricky Andrew and Tim Barker will have crucial roles in guiding this young squad through this match.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE ROUND ROBIN PLAYOFF
Omagh v Clonmel, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
Expect another big crowd at Omagh for this crucial fixture with three-time Munster Junior league champions Clonmel. It will not be easy as Clonmel look to join their Tipperary neighbours Nenagh Ormond and Cashel in playing in the UBL next season. If Omagh win they will be one step away form returning to the All Ireland League they last played in for three seasons in the late 1990s.
After losing their opening game against Round Robin winners Malahide, Omagh travelled to Ballina, winning a tight game 17-7. The experienced back row forward Mervyn Edgar scored tries in both fixtures against Malahide and Ballina. He has a crucial role in leading the forwards as they look to dominate their Munster opponents and create the space for the talented Omagh backline.
Head Coach Philip Marshall is expecting a really tough game with Clonmel. He has made a number of changes due to the unavailability of backs Stephen MacLaine and Adam Beatty. He welcomes back Alan Heaney, Ryan Mitchell and Lee Murphy into the squad.
The winners of this match will play Boyne away on Saturday the 29th April for a place in the UBL next season.