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Weekend club Round-Up

22nd September 2026

It was another gripping weekend of action on the club front and already we are seeing contenders in Championship 1 and 2 starting pull away from the chasing pack.

Dromore continue to set the standard in Championship 1, while in Championship 2, Strabane continue to defy the odds with another huge win to remain unbeaten since their promotion from Championship 3.

In Championship 3, Grosvenor laid down a marker with a convincing win over Donaghadee while Ulster University claimed a huge result on the road in Cavan.

The early pacesetters in Championship 1, Dromore, Omagh and Limavady were all on the road on Saturday, and all three returned home with a full quota of five-points.

At Deramore Park, Dromore kept their perfect record intact with a 66-0 victory over Belfast Harlequins.

Their third bonus-point win on the bounce keeps the county Down side one-point ahead of both Omagh and Limavady at the top of the table.

Ards were equally ruthless at Hamilton Park where they put Ards to the sword on a 53-5 scoreline.

Conor Watherston-Spencer and two efforts from hooker Phil Ewing helped the Accies to a 29-0 lead at the break. Omagh kept up the pressure in the second period and further scores from Matty Eccles and Fintan Lagan ensured the Tyrone men’s unbeaten start to the season remained in place.

There was a much tighter affair in Upritchard Park where Bangor welcomed Limavady in what proved to be a cracking encounter.

On the day they officially opened their new clubhouse, Josh Carmen’s try gave Bangor helped Bangor to an early 7-0 lead, but that was as good as it got in the first half for the hosts as Limavady went on to dominate much of the opening period.

Limavady were rewarded for their dominance with tries from Sam Mackey, Joe Dallas and Olly Craig, and with Ben Howe adding two conversions, the visitors enjoyed a healthy 12-point lead at the break, 7-19.

After spending much of the first half on the back foot, it was a different Bangor that emerged for the second half, and their positive approach was rewarded within five minutes thanks to a converted try from centre Ally McIvor.

The third quarter belonged to Bangor, and their pressure eventually broke through a strong Limavady defence on the hour mark thanks to a Jake Burns try.

Larmour added a third conversion to had Bangor a two-point lead.

Limavady struggled for possession and territory in the second period, but with their first attack of the half, they went over for a fourth try through James Howe which was converted by his brother Ben.

Now back in front, Limavady closed out the final stages on the attack, and with the last kick of the game, Ben Howe knocked over a penalty to confirm a 29-21 success for the Roesiders.

Portadown produced a clinical second half to see off Cooke at Shaw’s Bridge.

The sides turned around at the break tied at 7-7, but three unanswered tries in the second half helped Portadown to a 28-7 win.

At Kilraughts Road, Lurgan looked to be cruising to a comfortable win over Ballymoney when they led 17-3 at the break. Ballymoney launched a strong comeback in the second half, but Lurgan held on for a 27-22 win.

In Championship 2, Strabane’s impressive start to the season shows no sign of slowing down.

The welcomed CIYMS to Bradley Way, and following an eight-try epic, it was the Tyrone men won claimed the win on a 32-31 scoreline.

Strabane are joined at the top of the division by Carrickfergus who beat Randalstown 35-0 at tom Simms Memorial Park.

Larne recorded their first win of the season with a 48-21 win over Letterkenny, while there were away wins for Academy and Lisburn at City of Derry and Coleraine respectively.

After two rounds in Championship 3, Virginia and Grosvenor are the only unbeaten sides left in the division.

Grosvenor won the big game of the day against Donaghadee, 41-14 at Gibson Park, while Virginia put Newry to the sword 73-21.

Elsewhere, Monaghan got the better of PSNI, 28-10, while Ulster University recorded an impressive 21-17 win away to Cavan.

Belfast High School Former Pupils bounced back from their opening day defeat to Donaghadee with an impressive 29-12 win over Civil Service at Stormont.