Qualifying League Preview Sat 2nd November 2013. By George Millar
Firstly we must congratulate Portadown and Clogher Valley on their first round wins in the All Ireland Junior Cup. There was disappointment for Donaghadee who lost narrowly to Dundalk 12 – 10 and CIYMS who were overwhelmed by 2013 finalists Enniscorthy 25 – 0. This weekend it is a return to round seven of the Qualifying League One matches. Portadown are top of the league with 22 pts followed by Bangor and and Clogher Valley on 21 pts. In Qualifying Two Ballyclare remain out in front with 23 pts followed by Lisburn on 19 pts. In Qualifying Three Holywood and Donegal remain top with 6pts pursued by Larne, Letterkenny and Newry on 4pts. In Qualifying Four Ophir and Civil Service are on 6pts with Virginia and Cavan on 4pts.
Qualifying One
Ballymoney RFc I XV V Bangor RFC I XV
Can any of the chasing pack halt the progress of the North Down Club. Ballymoney have impressed in recent weeks moving up to fifth place in the league after a slow start to their season. Bangor are managing their players and their commitments to maintain their challenge for the league. The experience of prop Paddy Dornan and number 8 Curtis Stewart has given the Seasiders a platform for their young backline to score tries under the influence of half backs Ricky Armstrong and Jason Morgan. Captain Jamie Clegg with ensure his squad dont slip up in this tricky fixture at Kilraughts Road. Ballymoney want to maintain their challenge for a top four position. Bangor to win
CIYMS RFC I XV v Dromore RFC I XV
The Belmont club have league ambitions and will want to bounce back from their defeat in County Wexford. Coach Graham Cloke and Captain Stuart Ferguson know their side can afford no slips up against the County Down side who were unlucky to lose in their last league outing at home to champions Portadown 17 – 13. The Barban hill side have the personnel to upset the form book and maintain their push for a top four place. In Captain and Ulster Junior second row Gareth Fitzpatrick they have an inspirational Captain who along with their coaches Dewet Bekker and Jeremy Ogle, have the experience to upset the East Belfast side. CIYMS to win?
Clogher Valley RFC I XV v Coleraine RFC I XV
The Fivemiletown side would be clear favourites to win this match as they push for honours in the league, Junior Cup and All Ireland Junior Cup. Their large playing squad continues to provide the personnel to win games as demonstrated last Saturday when Captain Stephen Baxter was unavailable along with other key players. Such is the strength of the squad coaches Davy Black and Glen Kyle have developed: whatever side they select has that determination to win and grind out results. Coleraine have performed well against Bangor, CIYMS and Portadown in high scoring encounters this season. Coach Richard Beggs will have his side well prepared and their inspirational Captain Stephen Douglas will lead from No 8. Winger Nigel Hall has shown against the top sides his try scoring ability.
Clogher Valley to win
Donaghadee RFC I XV v UUC RFC I XV
Injuries to key players Chris Hamilton, Nigel Barker and Chris Good in their defeat last Saturday will present Dee coaches Stuart Hennessey and Paul McKenzie with headaches over team selection for this tricky fixture at home to the North coast students. In recent seasons this is a fixture the Donaldson Park side have struggled to win by narrow margins. Having spoken to coaches whose sides have struggled to win their matches with the students there is a consensus the students are close to securing their first win. Will it be at the Dee this Saturday. Students Captain David Orr and coaches Nathan Moore and Ryan Milligan will be targeting this game. Dee Captain Alastair Lockhart will require maximum effort from his team to take all four points. Both sides occupy the bottom two positions in the league. Donaghadee to win
Portadown RFC I XV v Cooke RFC I XV
Chambers Park coach Richard Hedley will be delighted with his champions performances: that maintains their challenge for honours in the league, Junior Cup and All Ireland Junior Cup. Despite the unavailability of players the side were able to bounce back from a half time deficit to win 22 – 17 in Connacht. Captain Jonny Holden uses his leadership qualities to drive his side forward to grind out results as demonstrated at Monivea and Dromore. With the experienced Barry Gribben wearing the No 9 jersey and young Chris McVitty continuing to direct the team from 10 their formidable forwards continue to dominate opposition packs. Cooke have the players in their side to stretch the Portadown side with the Gourlay brothers Alex and Alan posing threats. Player coach Colin Atkinson will have to lead from the front for his side to secure any points from this game. Portadown to win.
Qualifying Two
Enniskillen RFC I XV v Randalstown RFC I XV
The Fermanagh side have struggled in their last two games: suffering defeats to Lisburn ( Finished with 12 players) and Omagh following an impressive win over Grosvenor. Coach Alasdair McKee and Captain Ricky Connor’s will have to lift their team for this fixture against the County Antrim team who have recorded impressive wins away to Carrickfergus and home to Limavady 41 – 8. Coach Gary Longwell will have been encouraged by their five tries in the diffiult conditions at Neilsbrook Park. Mullaghameen is never an easy location for visiting teams. Inspirational Skins No 8 Jamie Johston will have an interesting battle with the in form Randalstown No 8 Chris Allen. We wish Randalstown Captain Mark Foster well in his surgery on a troublesome ankle. Randalstown to win
Limavady RFC I XV v Grosvenor RFC I XV
The Roesiders have disappointed this season and sit in the bottom three with Grosvenor: two points separating the sides. Early season wins over Omagh and Ballymena seconds suggested the Belmont side would be considered as serious challengers for promotion. Defeats away to Enniskillen and Carrickfergus have stalled their progress. Conditions may dictate the outcome of this match with Grosvenor coach Peter Lowry hoping to get his team back to winning ways for their Junior Cup trip to Coleraine the following week. Grosvenor to win
Strabane RFC I XV v Ballyclare RFC I XV
Omagh struggled to win 17 – 3 away to the North West side last Saturday: failing to secure the bonus point. Strabane coach Willy Balfour was delighted with his sides performance as they continue to adapt to life in Qualifying Two. Ballyclare were rather fortuitous to win their game at Academy last Saturday 15 – 14. Grosvenor pushed Ballyclare before losing 39 – 27. Clare coach Bob Young will have been disappointed with his side who are preparing for a Junior Cup match with Clogher Valley the following week. The Cloughan side know that the strong Strabane pack can pose problems for their forwards with Captain Robert Boyd having to ensure they dont slip up in this match. Ballyclare to win.
Qualifying Three
Letterkenny RFC I XV v PSNI RFC I XV
The North West side have struggled on their travels losing to Larne 99 – 0 and away to Holywood last Saturday 54 – 0 in the league. Their home form has been impressive as the club look to develop their young squad. This is a must win game for the team in this difficult league. Lurgan secured their first win of the season over the PSNI on Sat winning 23 -14 at Pollack Park. Their has been no consistency with the PSNI team this season who were expected to mount a challenge for promotion. Letterkenny to win.
Newry RFC I XV v Larne RFC I XV
Telford Park will welcome the East Antrim side for this crucial game. Both sides need a win to push league leaders Holywood and Donegal. Donegal demonstrated that they were unlucky not to take both points in their narrow defeat at Larne last Saturday 20 – 16. Can teams such as Donegal and Newry mount a serious challenge to the favourites Holywood and Larne for league honours. Expect a large crowd at the South Down venue to see the progress the club are making. The results of both their sides last Saturday will give encouragement to the club that they are moving in the right direction. Will we see a Newry 1st xv playing in Qualifying One in 3 – 5 years. The Gauntlet has been thrown down. We wish them well. Larne coach Laurence Kelly will have his team well motivated for this tricky encounter. Larne to win.
Qualifying Four
Armoy RFC I XV v BHSFP RFC I XV
Sadly Armoy remain rooted to the bottom of the league with no points after suffering a 22 – 0 loss to Civil Service last Saturday. The Limepark side continue to field two sides as they look to develop their club base in North East Antrim. Whilst they are completing the installation of floodlights at their ground near neighbours Glen Rovers Hurling Club have made their grounds available to the club for training. BHSFP promised much after an encouraging 15 – 9 league win at Virginia in September and a opening 25 – 10 win at Armoy in the Gordon West Cup. In their last league outing they suffered 36 – 0 home defeat to Civil Service. Can Armoy secure their first win of the season. All eyes will be on Lime park. Armoy to win
Londonderry YM RFC I XV v Ophir RFC I XV
The Drumahoe side continue to struggle and face league favourites Ophir who have comfortably won their opening three league games. BHSFP 55 – 11,Armoy 38 – 7 and Civil Service 18 – 0. They remain undefeated this season in the Gordon West Cup. Ophir to win.
Virginia RFC I XV v Civil Service RFC I XV
The County Cavan side have won two from three of their opening league games Cavan 32 – 21 at home and away to Londonderry YMCA 22 – 13. Losing at home to BHSFP 15 – 9. Civil Service have won three out of four league games losing 18 – 0 at home to league favourites Ophir. This again could be a tricky fixture for coach Roy Lawton and his team. The Stormont side need to win this game to maintain their title challenge. Civil Service to win.
