All Ireland League Review Week 3 Saturday 26th October 2013 by George Millar
Competition resumes this Saturday after a two week break from All Ireland League fixtures.
For teams in Divisions 1A and 1B the next block of fixtures continue through until the 7th December with a one week break on the 16th November.
Teams in Divisions 2A and 2B have a two week break from the 9th until the 16th November.
After the opening two All Ireland fixtures we have three Ulster teams yet to record their first win. This includes Ballynahinch, Belfast Harlequins and Banbridge. For some of the clubs including Ballynahinch, City of Derry, Queens Uni and Banbridge they will have the Ulster Senior Cup semi finals to contest on the weekend of the 16th Novemeber. Ballynahinch remain top of the Ulster Senior league along with Rainey followed closely by Ballymena, City of Derry and Queens. In the All Ireland League Ballymena, City of Derry and Queens Univ are leading Division 2A with only the top two promoted into 1B. Armagh are sitting in fourth place in Division 2B after two wins. They sit two points behind early pace setters Nenagh Ormond. Some interesting comments that have been voiced on the All Ireland League. Steve Rooney Director of Rugby at Landsdowne sees increased exposure for the league as the key to future growth. That regular TV coverage of a very watchable game would be a hugely welcome addition. Many Irish supporters discovered their love of the game through watching their provinces and there is almost a lack of realization that we have an exciting club game to watch. His views have been supported by Ian Sherwin the Director of rugby at Shannon. He points out that Irish Rugby need to find ways of increasing interest in the domestic game in order to grow, but he also highlights the need for clubs to build a sense of community spirit and increase membership and support. Talking to Ballynahinch supporters last Saturday on why their 1st xv were struggling in Division 1A. They told me their players are not big enough to compete with the pace, power and physicality of the Southern teams. Many Southern clubs include a strengthening and conditioning coach as a priority in their clubs. Have we lessons to learn in Ulster rugby. Queens Uni probably have the best facilities of any club in Ulster rugby. We have Rainey rugby club constructing such a facility.
Division 1A
Dolphin v Clontarf
Garryowen v UCD
Landsdowne v Young Munster
Old Belvedere v Cork Constitution
St Marys College v Ballynahinch. “We’ll See whos big enough! InTouch Rugby”
The trip by B’Hinch to Templeville Road will be a vital game for coach Derek Sufferin and his squad. Both teams sit in the bottom four with only one point from their opening two games. The lost of inspirational second row Chris Napier due to work commitments and his playing partner James Simpson to long term injury has stretched their resources in this department. Alot of the responsibility has been taken on by Jonny Madden and Robert Greer in recent weeks to bolster the front five. The return of Dominic Gallagher to action will have strenthened their playing resources. Captain Stuart Morrow and number 8 Michael Graham have key roles to play in securing their first win of the season. St Marys lost their two games Home to Young Munster 26 – 18 and away to Dolphin 15 – 10. St Marys to win
Division 1B
Belfast Harlequins v Terenure College
Blackrock v Corinthians
Dublin Univ v Buccaneers
Malone v UL Bohemians
Shannon v Dungannon
Quins sit in the bottom three with one point along side Shannon.
They welcome an inform Terenure College who sit top of the league with nine points along side Buccaneers. The young Quins squad have shown promise in their opening two games. Much will depend on the availability of Ulster players Neil McComb, Niall Annett and Michael Heaney to bolster Adam Larkin’s squad if they are to deny the Dubliners a win at Deramore park. Terenure to win
Malone v UL Bohemians
With one win over Dungannon and a narrow loss to Buccaneers 23-20. Coach Jacque Benade knows his squad cannot afford any slip ups in this crucial game at Gibson Park. He will look to the availablity of several Ulster players to strengthen his young playing squad who lost 26 – 24 away to Ballynahinch in the Ulster Senior Cup Quarter Final last Saturday. UL Bohemians lost 31 – 17 to Young Munster in the Cyril Fitzgerald Plate last Sat and in their last AIL outing they won 23 – 17 at home to Belfast Harlequins.
Dungannon v Shannon
Relegated Shannon have struggled in their opening AIL matches. With a young playing squad they are building for the future. Their confidence will have been boosted by a moral boosting 31 – 29 win over Joint Divison 1A leaders Dolphin last Saturday in the Quarter Final of the Munster Senior Cup. Dungannon coach Paddy Johns will be encouraged by his teams work man like performance to restrict high flying City of Derry to a 7 – 3 win in the Ulster Senior Cup. Current club President Paul Magee came out of retirement to add strength and experience to the midfield along side Ulster Raven Stuart McCloskey. Again the availability of their Ulster players Sean Doyle, Chris Cochrane, Chris Farrell and Peter Nelson could sway the outcome in favour of the Tyrone side. Dungannon to win
Division 2A
UCC v Highfield: Played Friday 25th October 2013 KO 7.30pm
Bruff v Bective Rangers
Cashel v Galwegians
City of Derry v Naas
Old Crescent v Rainey OB
Old Wesley v Barnhall
Queens v Ballymena
Seapoint v Banbridge.
City of Derry welcome undefeated Naas to Judges Road. The Kildare side have impressed in their opening AIL games winning 28 – 22 away to UUC and 28 – 23 at home to the in from Cashel 28 – 23. Naas have also progressed to the final of the Leinster Shield league after defeating Tullamore 49 – 30 in the semi final after extra time, where they will play NUIM Barnhall in the Final. Derry have been impressive this season in the Ulster Senior league and have progressed to the Semi finals of the Ulster Senior Cup after winning 7 – 3 at Dungannon. Both teams play an open/fast running game worthy of a large crowd. Definetely one game to watch. City of Derry to win.
Rainey v Old Crescent
The Hatrick Park squad have bounced back from an opening day defeat to City of Derry to record an impressive 45 – 33 win at home to Seapoint. Promotion is one of the goals of the South Derry side this season and a win on the road would boost their chances. Rainey sit alongside Ballynahinch at the top of the Ulster Senior League. Old Crescent lost 27 – 20 to UUC at home last weekend in the Munster Cup Quarter final. They lost their opening AIL game 54 – 15 away to Old Wesley and won at home to Bruff 17 – 9. Rainey have the forward power and talent in their backline to win this game. Rainey to win
Queens v Ballymena
Dub Lane will witness two of Irelands inform club teams for the top fixture in Ulster rugby on Saturday. Both teams have been playing fast free flowing rugby this season that will grace Queens new stadium. In their opening Ulster Senior League game at Eaton Park on the 28th August Ballymena narrowly beat the students 46 – 44. Both teams sit at the top of Division 2A alongside City of Derry with both clubs contesting the Ulster Senior league and Queens making the last four of the Ulster Senior Cup. There are so many talented players available to both coaches with team selection providing many headaches . Let us see the Ulster supporters coming out and supporting both clubs. Who is going to win. Queens ? Enjoy.
Seapoint v Banbridge
Pointless Bann have used the break to regroup and record away wins over Rainey in USL 37 – 31 and Instonians 38 – 15 in the Ulster Senior Cup Quarter finals. They will now play the in form Queens in the Semi finals on Sat the 16th November. Can Daniel Soper and his team make it three away wins in a row. Experienced second row Simon McKinstry can use his forwards to create the platform for the talented Bann backline to score tries. Seapoint under the guidance of former Ireland and British Lions player Eric Miller will provide a stern challenge as the South Dublin side push for a top three place before Xmas.
Tough game to call. Banbridge need the win.
Division 2B
Navan v Skerries: Played Friday the 25th October 2013. KO 7.30pm
Ards v DLSP
Armagh v Tullamore
Boyne v Instonians
Greystones v Sligo
Midleton v Suttonians
Nenagh Ormond v Sundays Well
Thomond v Richmond
Ards v DLSP
Ards know winning their home games will secure their Senior status. After a nail biting last minute win over Suttonians the Ards team suffered a heavy defeat at Midleton. The break from the AIL has resulted in two further heavy defeats at Ballynahinch in USL 52 – 0 and Queens in the Ulster Senior Cup 61 – 11. Stewart Porter has the experienced players in his squad to lift their young players to new levels to compete with the pace, power and physicality of the Southern teams. Relegated DLSP have suffered defeats to Armagh 23 – 17 and Nenagh home 57 – 10. The supporters at Hamilton Park could be in for another nerve racking day. Ards to win.
Armagh v Tullamore
Newly promoted Tullamore visit the Palace grounds to extend their winning run in the AIL against a County Armagh side who recorded two excellent wins in the AIL. How do you chose between these two sides. Coach Andy Hughes will have his side fired up for this game. Captain Richard Reaney has to convert any opportunities that come his way. The three times All Ireland Junior Cup winners Tullamore will provide a stiff test for the Orchard County side. The County Offaly side pushed Divison 2A Nass to extra time in the Leinster Shield semi final before losing 49 – 30. Armagh have had two weeks to prepare for this game as their USL game against Ballymena had to be postponed as no referee turned up. Armagh to win.
Boyne v Instonians
Drogheda’s only Senior club sit comfortably in the league after two opening AIL wins. Instonians opening day trip to Skerries resulted in a 44 – 3 defeat. They bounced back to win 14 – 13 at home to Navan. During the AIL break William Leacock’s squad suffered further defeats at Malone in USL and Banbridge in the USC. Every point is vital in this league. Can the Shaws bridge team win this game at Shamrock Lodge. They will need a massive increase in workrate and self belief to take any points from this game. Boyne to win
