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Weekend Club Round-up

15th September 2026

The highlight of the Junior club scene was the first round of the SolarFix NI Junior Cup and Shield, and there was no shortage of drama in the opening rounds with a number of closely fought ties in both competitions.

Championship 1 pacesetters Dromore were pushed all the way by a youthful City of Armagh 2XV at Barben Hill.

Dromore who last won the Junior Cup in the 2023/24 season, led 17-7 at the break but tries from Ross Taylor and Dan Reynolds closed the gap to five-points to set up a Grandstand finish.

However, backed by a large vocal home support, Dromore, one of the competitions favourites, squeezed home to book their place in round two by virtue of a 31-26 scoreline.

The clash of Instonians 2XV and Portadown was another game that went to the wire, and in the end, Portadown pipped their hosts, 29-26.

Joining Portadown and Dromore in round two are Bangor who enjoyed a 67-19 win over Dungannon 2XV at Stevenson Park.

On what was a largely successful day for the Championship 1 clubs, Ballymoney proved too strong for Ballyclare 2XV winning 60-0 at Kilraughts, while Omagh, with the help of a hat-trick of tries from Phil Ewing, saw off Malone 2XV 46-14.

Cooke picked up their first win of the season by defeating Banbridge 2XV 43-14 at Shaw’s Bridge.

There was a closer affair at Eaton Park between Ballymena 2XV and Lurgan. A double from Ryan Holmes helping the mid-Ulster outfit to a 29-20 win.

In the SolarFix NI Junior Shield, Randalstown gained revenge for last year’s final defeat to Ards with a 31-25 comeback win at Hamilton Park.

Robbie Johnston opened the scoring midway through the first half to give Ards a deserving lead, but with a strong wind in their backs, Randalstown finished the half strongly, and just short of the referee’s half-time whistle, Callum English cut in from the left wing to touchdown under the posts.

Eoin Letters conversion helped the visitors to a slender two-point lead at the break.

Ards came out flying in the second half and their early dominance was rewarded through tries from Ethan Bell and Sam McClements. Adam Barnes converted both to help the home team to a 19-7.

The next score would prove to be crucial. Another Ards try and the hosts would have one foot in the next round, while one for Randalstown would turn the cup tie on its head. And it was the second scenario that proved to be the case.

Cormac Devlin’s touchdown reignited the Randalstown challenge, and on the hour mark, their drew level after Letters converted Craig Houston’s maul try.

A Barnes penalty pushed Ards back in front by three-points, but their lead was short lived as Jamie Orr threw off the shackles of the Ards defence to go over for fourth Ards try, but another Barnes penalty squeezed Ards in front going down the home straight.

But there was still time for one more twist, and with just two minutes remaining, Randalstown number eight Ryan O’Dea crashed over under the posts to put his side back in front.

Letters converted to seal a dramatic five-point for Randalstown on a 31-25 scoreline.

Elsewhere in the SolarFix Junior Shield, Strabane romped to a 40-19 win over neighbours City of Derry.

Academy saw off the challenge of Clogher Valley 2XV, 62-12 at Roughfort, while Carrickfergus got the better of Queens 2XV at Tom Simms Memorial Park, 36-5.

Limavady were also victorious against an AIL 2XV side; the Roesiders prevailing 40-5 against Enniskillen 2XV at Mullaghmeen.

Rainey were the only 2XV winners over the weekend with the Magherafelt side getting the better of Letterkenny at Hatrick Park, 35-29.

Coleraine repeated their recent league win over Larne at Rugby Avenue with a 29-14 win, while Lisburn claimed an 11-point win over CIYMS at Belmont. 35-24 the final score in favour of the visitors.