Domestic Club rugby preview. We kick off the new year this weekend with AIL action in Div 1 A and B and the opening fixtures in the Powerade Towns Cup and the McCrea Cup. Sadly the Domestic game has been relegated to a side show with ‘Sky’ determining that Leinster would play Ulster at the RDS with a 2.40pm kick off on Sat. Nevertheless the clubs, along with their hardworking officials, players and coaches will ensure the Grassroots of the game continues to develop and grow in the province.
Ballynahinch v UCD Ulster’s number one club Ballynahinch have eight AIL fixtures left as they push for a play off place in the clubs sixtieth anniversary season. They travel to Dublin to play the inform UCD students at the Belfield. Both teams are in fifth and sixth place with one point separating the two sides. Hinch have defeated the top two teams in the league Lansdowne and Terenure College at Ballymacarn Park with six points separating the six teams in third to eighth place. Coach Derek Suffern has been able to rely on the squads strength in depth, as his players pursue a possible four trophies this season. They have already secured the First Trust Senior Cup and made the semi finals of the All Ireland Bateman Cup. They are favourites to retain the Ulster Senior League. Number 8 Michael Graham will miss this weekends match with David McGuigan returning from injury.
Div 1 A
Fixtures Friday 2.1.15. Kick off 7.30pm
Clontarf v St Mary’s College
Lansdowne v Old Belvedere
Fixtures Saturday 3.1.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Dolphin v Young Munster
Terenure College v Cork Constitution
UCD v Ballynahinch
Div 1 B
The fortunes of the three Ulster clubs in this league are reflected in their league positions with Ballymena pursuing promotion and Malone and Belfast Harlequins now engaged in a battle to avoid relegation to the third tier of AIL rugby.
Ballymena v Belfast Harlequins. Ballymena welcome Quins to Eaton Park for an Ulster Derby. Ulster players Michael Lagan, John Andrews, Dave Ryan, Dave Shanahan and Ricky Andrews have been released to strengthen the playing squad of Ballymena coach Andy Graham. Quins coach Adam Larkin is looking to build on his teams recent form. He is hoping Ulster players, Michael Heaney, Rory Scholes and either Ricky Lutton and Neil McComb will be released to bolster his playing squad. The Quins scrum was a potent weapon in the defeat of UL Bohemians. Ballymena won the opening duel between these two sides 22 – 14 when they met at Deramore Park in September. Four points separate Ballymena in second place from Garryowen and the in form Dublin Uni in third and fourth place. Nothing less than a comprehensive win will satisfy the Eaton Park faithful. Quins need points as they face Malone in another Ulster derby on Sat week at Deramore Park.
Malone v Galway Corinthians
Coach Jacque Benade will know the importance of this game on Sat. With eight games remaining and five at home his side need points. Injuries and unavailabilities have dented the ambitions of this talented squad. The availability of Conor Joyce, Paul Jackson, John Creighton, Adam Liddell, Josh Bingham and Ross Todd will be crucial over the next four months. Utility forward James McAllister will be out for the season. Corinthians are two points ahead of Malone in sixth place. Malone face another relegation contest with near neighbours Belfast Harlequins the following weekend.
Div 1 B
Fixtures Sat 3.1.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Ballymena v Belfast Harlequins
Galwegians v Shannon
Garryowen v Buccaneers
Malone v Corinthians
UL Bohemians v Dublin Uni
The Ulster AIL sides in Div 2 A and B have a break before they resume their AIL programme on Sat 24th January 2015.
Powerade Towns Cup
The holders Clogher Valley along with beaten finalists Donaghadee have received a bye in the first round. The draw has thrown up nine intriguing matches with seven teams receiving a bye. We have two Ulster derbies with Carrickfergus hosting neighbours Ballyclare and North Coast rivals Coleraine meeting Ballymoney.
Coleraine v Ballymoney
Both clubs have experienced mixed fortunes in 2014. Coleraine were relegated from Q 1 and have struggled to make an impact in Q 2 as they trail promotion favourites Omagh. Ballymoney lost several members of their 1st XV squad at the end of last season. Coach Jason Taggart has had to rebuild his side who have struggled at the bottom of Q 1 despite a recent win at Donaghadee and a narrow defeat away to league holders Clogher Valley last Sat by 10 – 9. Difficult match to call with Ballymoney slight favourites.
Armagh seconds v Omagh
On paper you would say Omagh would be favourites. Two demanding fixtures in four days with Instonians and Enniskillen before Xmas has forced coach Phil Marshall to rest six of his injured forwards, as well as making two changes in the backs. The priority for Omagh coach and his players this season is promotion to Q 1. After this weekend they face five consecutive league matches. Many rugby pundits would have fancied Omagh in the Towns Cup with Instonians competing in the McCrea Cup. Armagh firsts have no match this weekend and would have to be considered slight favourites in this tie.
Carrickfergus v Ballyclare
Carrick PRO Eddie Lloyd is delighted this Cup tie with neighbours Ballyclare will open their 150th Anniversary year in 2015. Coach Warren McLean has assembled a young playing squad that has ambitions to return to Q 1. They sit second behind promotion favourites Omagh in Q 2. Ballyclare were semi finalists in the Junior Cup, losing 18 – 12 at home to Omagh. They have struggled since this defeat losing games against Clogher Valley and Bangor with only one win in four against Portadown. Ballyclare have a great Cup tradition in recent seasons. Carrick will take comfort from the performances of Enniskillen and Omagh in the Junior Cup. A difficult game to call with a large crowd expected at the Tom Simms Memorial Park.
Holywood v Lisburn
Two teams struggling at the lower end of Q 2. Both teams met at Blaris in their opening league game in Sept. Lisburn ran out winners 24 – 19. They are due to meet each other at Kerr Park on the 31st Jan in what will be a crucial relegation match. Both coaches Laurence Kelly at Holywood and Mark Crothers at Lisburn will welcome the distraction of this Cup tie. Lisburn may be slight favourites.
Enniskillen v Randalstown
Has all the makings of a cracking Cup contest. Both teams have ambitions to finish in the top four of Q 2. Randalstown sit in fifth place with Skins in seventh place. Both sides are in good form with Skins forsaking a 12 -3 lead at home to Omagh before Xmas to lose 15 -12. They made the semi finals of the Junior Cup before losing out to eventual winners Instonians. Randalstown are on a run of four straight league wins. Home advantage may see coach Norman Richmond and his players embark on another Cup run. Can Randalstown coach Gary Longwell and his players halt the Skins ambitions.
Rainey seconds v Dromore
Again you would expect Dromore to win this tie. Rainey firsts have no match this weekend. Dromore have promised much this season after impressive league wins over Portadown and Bangor. They suffered a surprising Junior Cup defeat at Enniskillen and have the talent in their squad to embark on a Cup run.
Portadown v Limavady
Coach Richard Hedley is hoping his Portadown side can secure some silverware this season with the Towns Cup presenting his players with that opportunity. First of all they have a tricky fixture to negotiate against a talented Limavady side who are hoping to bounce back from the shock of relegation from Q 2 to Q 3 last season. They are currently locked in a battle with Larne to win promotion. Under their Head coach Paul O’Kane they have progressed to the knock out stages of the Gordon West Cup. The experienced back row forward Darmuid O’Kane returns to strengthen the Portadown pack after missing his teams narrow 14 – 12 loss to Instonians last Sat. The coach is also hoping Captain Jonny Holden will be available for selection this weekend. Expect a Portadown win.
Lurgan v Larne
Intriguing match at Pollack Park. Lurgan coach Bruce Corneilius has revived the fortunes of the Mid Ulster side. They are competing along with Limavady and Larne at the top of Q 3. Larne recorded an impressive 27 – 15 win when the two sides met at the Lurgan venue in Dec. Larne remain undefeated in the league and like Lurgan have qualified for the knock out stages of the Gordon West Cup. Larne to win.
Dungannon seconds v Ballymena seconds
Both sides met in the Jack Kyle Memorial Cup at Eaton Park on Boxing Day with the County Tyrone side running out 20 – 15 winners. With Dungannon firsts having no match this weekend the Stevenson Park side may be slight favourites to win this Cup tie.
Fixtures. Sat 3.1.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Powerade Towns Cup. First round
Coleraine v Ballymoney
Armagh seconds v Omagh
Carrickfergus v Ballyclare
Holywood v Lisburn
Enniskillen v Randalstown
Rainey seconds v Dromore
Portadown v Limavady
Lurgan v Larne
Dungannon seconds v Ballymena seconds
Byes
City of Derry seconds
Banbridge seconds
Donaghadee
Clogher Valley
Bangor
Ards seconds
Ballynahinch seconds
McCrea Cup
In the only fixture this weekend Belfast Harlequins seconds host Junior Cup holders and current Q 1 league leaders Instonians at Deramore Park with a 2.30pm kick off. Instonians will be clear favourites. Quins seconds reached the quarter finals of the Junior Cup before losing out to Ballyclare. They remain undefeated in their last seven second XV league matches including an eye catching win over Ballynahinch seconds before Xmas. Instonians coach William Leacock will ensure his players are not complacent as his side seek a second appearance at the Kingspan stadium. His side remain undefeated this season in all competitions. They have had to dig deep in recent fixtures to win games as illustrated by their narrow 14 – 12 win at Portadown last Sat.
Qualifying Two
Academy v Grosvenor
Coach Gareth Lynn is expecting a very difficult game on Sat for his Academy side against Grosvenor at Roughfort. A win and b/p will see Academy move to the top of Q 2. Grosvenor have bounced back from a run of defeats to win their last two league games. Supporters can expect an exciting game of open running rugby. Grosvenor PRO Alan Egner is delighted to see a good end to the year after a tough start to their league campaign. They are slowly getting players back from injury. The couple of wins has boosted confidence in the playing squad. His son David is hoping to return on Sat. They are still missing six 1st XV players through injury. The club are delighted to welcome back Club President Dixie McKenzie following a minor stroke six weeks ago. He will be at Academy on Sat to undertake his presidential duties.
Friendly
City of Derry will host Sligo at Judges Road for a friendly on Sat with a 2.30pm kick off.
Cheers
George
