Ballyclare 1st XV will start the new league season officially on Saturday 11th September when Omagh will be the visitors to the Cloughan.
It is expected that this will be a bigger test this season in Qualifying 2 as the league has two strong newcomers Enniskillen and Grosvenor High (F.P.)– the former having come down from Qual.1 and the latter promoted from Qual.3 being unbeaten last year. The Clare side appears now to be settled in Qual.2 — this will be the fourth season in the league after thirty years playing in Qual.1 which was known formerly as Junior 1. After two top three place finishes last year Ballyclare ended in fourth spot and from January last season did not show their best form.
But a new year brings a new challenge and with a sprinkling of new faces club officials and supporters are hopeful of doing well.
SIXTIETH YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Last year the Clare club celebrated 60 years of rugby having been formed in Ballyclare High School back in May 1949 and amazingly there are still a couple of founder members who seldom miss a 1st Xv game home or away.
It is expected that both Derek Moore and Jack Coulter will be on the touchline on Saturday as usual. In fact it was Derek Moore who last season convened the 60th Anniversary Committee which organised a series of functions including a successful Corporate Golf Day, a Dinner-dance and an Over 35 Tournament which was played under the new floodlights which was another of the changes and improvements made last season.
The facilities at the Cloughan are as good as any so called “Senior ” club and one would wonder why any aspiring young rugby player would wish to play anywhere else at the present time.
NEW FACES IN KEY POSITIONS
In this the 61st year of Ballyclare rugby new men will be playing vital roles both on and off the field. Captain of the 1st XV is Willie Logan who has been an ever present back row forward on the team. A key player for so long Willie has represented Ulster Juniors as a number 8 for the past ten years and for the Clare is an inspirational player. Club Captain is Collie Morrow. This year’s coach is another newcomer Bob Young who was a superb lineout forward for both Queens and Ballymena but had to give up due to injury is proving a superb motivator and has seen the team perform well in the pre-season friendlies. Recently elected club Chair man Alastair Lindsay is following in the footsteps of his father Tommy Lindsay who was also chairman for many years and became the President of Ulster Rugby— next year Ballyclare’s Lawrence Caldwell will take over the same prestigious role. This season Lawrence is the Senior Vice-President of Ulster Rugby.
Another new face is the election of Ian Morrow as President of the Ballyclare club— he has been team manager of the 1st XV for several years. Joining Bob Young on the coaching team are Ronnie Lamont and Ian Brown which adds a huge amount of experience.
Additions to the team on the field are Alan McGrugan (ex Ards); Gary Clotworthy (ex Instonians) plus Gary Watters and Jonny Kennedy (ex Civil Service) and the return of former Clare players including Kyle Norton.
PRE_MATCH LUNCHES
Past President Pat McCudden has organised the usual pre-matches for home league and cup games . Anyone interested in attending should contact either Pat or Eddie Simms or by email to info@ballyclarerfc.co.uk
