European Cup rugby may be on the minds of Ulster rugby supporters over the next two weekends but for the thousands of supporters who follow club rugby each weekend the action continues with the Ulster Championship League and Qualifying leagues dominating the fixture schedule on Sat. For the Ulster AIL Div 1A and B clubs they will have a rest from AIL action before games resume on the 31st Jan. For the clubs in Div 2A and B they will complete preparations this weekend for a return to AIL action on the 24th Jan after a four week break. City of Derry remain top of the UCL having played two matches more than second placed Ballynahinch. In Qualifying One Instonians remain undefeated after scoring 17 points in the final seven mins at Shaws bridge to defeat Bangor 28 – 25 in an enthralling game. The chasing pack are looking to secure top four placings to qualify for next seasons All Ireland Junior Cup. The surprise result of the day was the 17 – 0 win by Ballymoney over Portadown at Kilraughts Road. In Qualifying Two Omagh have the opportunity to open up space between them and the chasing pack at home to Holywood.
What are the talking points this week in Ulster rugby.
Player registration remains a topical issue. With the assistance of Paul Whitten, Ulster Branch Rugby Manager we will hopefully be able to tie down the rules. Parents will be anxious to know what are the implications when their son/daughter register for a club Mini Section or School. What impact will it have on the player when he leaves School and wants to play Club rugby. Who has ownership of the player the Club or School. We are aware of the politics that can involve clubs when they seek ownership of that player.
What is the state of club rugby in Ulster.
Having spent some time trawling through the leagues it is clear that all is not well in Club rugby in Ulster. We are seeing matches conceded by teams from the Ulster Championship League , Qualifying Leagues, Junior leagues, Minor leagues and Youth leagues. Why is this happening. We are told that Ulster rugby have the highest number of players of any of the four Irish provinces. Does the Data collected by clubs in Ulster and Ireland truly reflect the playing resources available to clubs. It is clear that several clubs in Ulster don’t have the players to select their teams each week. It is a case of juggling players to meet the demands of the club. We are reading weekly about the welfare of rugby players and the burn out factor experienced by players due to the fixture schedules. For observers, our friends in the GAA are experiencing the same problems with their players. Talking to the coaches, the fixture schedules are too demanding on players with little rest time built into the playing programme. The workplace is driving the demands on players. As one coach told me, a player on his 1st xv had a choice to play rugby or lose his job. We live in a 24/7 world where weekend working demands changes be made to the structure of our leagues to allow fixtures to be played during the week or on a Sunday. There may be opposition to this but we play ladies and Mini rugby on a Sunday in Ulster. The system appears to work very well in the other three Irish provinces. Due to the physical nature of the game players are struggling to create time to attend and work at their fitness levels. Witness the horrendous injury lists we have accumulated this season. We can’t just keep burying our heads in the sand. Yes there are positives but there are many negatives. Why are clubs in Donegal, Ballyshannon and Antrim conceding fixtures. There are many other clubs I could name who are struggling to field even two teams. Are there lessons for other clubs to learn from the successful clubs like Ballynahinch, Omagh, Ballymena and Malone who are able to field several teams each week. Are there arguments for looking at the current league structures in Ulster with a view to regionalising more of the leagues. The second xv league has worked extremely well for the Ulster AIL clubs with teams choosing to play mid week games. Are there lessons for top teams in Q1 and 2.
The Future of the AIL league.
Many rugby pundits continue to question the need for five ten team leagues in the All Ireland League. The arguments are we only need to have possibly two ten team leagues with the remaining clubs contesting provincial leagues. The events at City of Derry this week have highlighted the demands on coaches for success with the replacement of Head Coach Mark Nicholl by Terry McMaster. The playing resources at the disposal of Terry McMaster will not change between now and the end of the season as they strive to finish in the top ten of Div 2A. The question I have posed is do we have sufficient quality players to service our eleven clubs in the AIL. The answer is no. If we consolidate the talented players who want to play at this level we could have possibly four/five teams who would be able to compete with the best club sides in Ireland. The goal for City of Derry is to recruit heavily from local clubs and Schools to strengthen their playing squad. Again I have to ask the question where are the players. Many players have opted to play Junior rugby because of the demands on their leisure time, travelling and training to play in the AIL with no rewards. Ask the players at Instonians and Bangor do they want to give up competing for silverware in the Junior leagues to become anonymous in the AIL.
On a positive note I have to congratulate Stephen Mulholland and Connor Smith ( Ballymena), Paul Pritchard (Ballynahinch) and Stephen Ferguson (City of Derry) on being selected for the Ireland Club XV training squad to play internationals against Scotland and England during the Six Nations.
Ulster Championship League
Belfast Harlequins v City Of Derry
Quins coach Adam Larkin will want to the keep the momentum going after an emphatic win over neighbours Malone in the AIL last Sat with their seconds completing the double over the East Belfast side. They welcome City of Derry who replaced their coach during the week. We wish new coach Terry McMaster and his team well in their endeavours for the rest of the season. Quins will be looking to reverse their surprising 17 – 7 home defeat to the North West side in the First Trust Senior Cup quarter final in October. They remain undefeated in the UCL with a win on Sat setting up a meeting with undefeated Ballynahinch on Sat week at Deramore Park. New City of Derry coach, Terry McMaster has selected a strong starting xv for their trip to Deramore Pk on Sat.
Dungannon v Ballynahinch
No information is forthcoming from the Stevenson Park side as they struggle to avoid consecutive relegations to the fourth tier of the AIL. A meeting with Stevenson Shield holders Ballynahinch will test the playing resources of the County Tyrone squad. Hinch manager Ronnie Duncan was delighted with his teams win over Cork Constitution last Sat. Their intention is to rest several players with the experienced Kenny Morton hoping to get some game time after being ruled out with an injury in Oct. The focus for the Ballymacarn Park side is to finish in the top four of the AIL and make the playoffs.
Malone v Armagh
Having played five and lost one to a last minute penalty against Ballymena. Andy Hughes and his Armagh side will travel, full of confidence that they can win this match at Gibson Park. The Armagh side are currently third in Div 2B and will look for another confidence boosting performance before they resume AIL action next Sat. Malone coach Jacque Benade was alarmed at the manner in which his side was overwhelmed by Quins last Sat. He will be looking a morale boosting performance before promotion chasing Dublin Uni arrive at Gibson Park on the 31st Jan. Injuries continue to deplete his forward options with his talented back division yet to show their true potential.
Queens v Ards
Despite the talent available to coach Bob Young at Queens, his team have only one win to show from four outings in the UCL. Exams and injuries will limit his selections against a struggling Ards team. Ards showed alot of improvement last Sat before going down 33 – 10 to Rainey at home last Sat. The statistics are frightening for Ards. They have played eight matches in the AIL, scoring 82pts and conceding 353pts whilst they have played six games in the UCL, scoring 36 pts and conceding 260 pts giving a grand total from 14 matches -Scored 118 and conceded 613pts. For Queens their goal this season will be to secure a top two finish and promotion to Div 1B.
Rainey v Banbridge
Both coaches will be looking a strong performance from their players before they resume their AIL programme next Sat. The goal for both coaches and teams is to retain their status in Div 2A next season by finishing in the top ten. Both teams will meet again at Hatrick Park in the AIL on the 28th February. Rainey coach Richard Boyd is looking to build momentum before the next round of AIL games. With the new floodlights up and running on the 1st xv pitch the club have now completed the work on their impressive facilities. For the match with Banbridge Stephen Rutledge and Tim Barker are restored to the pack. He is delighted to see forwards Michael Shiels, Timmy Woods, Conor Simpson and Conal Murphy return to action after injury with the influential Paddy McGowan a doubt for the AIL match at home to UCC on Sat week. The in form Gavin Martin comes into the backline with Mark O’Connor unavailable. Winger Nicholas Stirling is rested due to a hamstring strain. Bann coach Daniel Soper faces a difficult AIL fixture at home to Munster side Nenagh Ormond on Sat week at Rifle Park. Spectators will be treated to an open running game by two talented sides looking a strong finish to the second half of the season.
Ballymena have a bye this weekend.
Fixtures. Sat 17th January. Kick off 2.30pm
Belfast Harlequins v City of Derry
Dungannon v Ballynahinch
Malone v Armagh
Queens v Ards
Rainey OB v Banbridge
Qualifying One
Instonians remain clear favourites to win the league with seven matches remaining. Clogher Valley and Bangor look certain to finish in the top four. The contest to secure that all important fourth place will be between Ballyclare Dromore, Portadown and CIYMS. The battle to avoid the bottom two places has come down to a contest between three teams, Cooke, Ballymoney and Donaghadee.
Ballyclare v CIYMS
What has happened to a Ballyclare side that made such a promising start to the season. Five defeats in their last six matches has coach Chris Campbell and his players looking for an upturn in their fortunes. They have another vital home match against a CIYMS side determined to qualify for the All Ireland Junior Cup. CIYMS coach Gareth Fry was delighted to see his side secure a much needed win over Cooke last Sat. With a full strength squad at his disposal. His players will travel with confidence to the Cloughan. When the two sides met at Belmont in Sept CIYMS were convincing winners by 48 – 13.
Bangor v Ballymoney
On paper you would say a straight forward win for Bangor. Ballymoney player coach Jason Taggart has worked wonders with a new team to win two out of their last three league matches – losing narrowly to CV by 10 – 9. Bangor will know they will have to be at their best to secure the points. They have selected a full strength team with Gareth Irvine and Mike Apsley returning. Jason Morgan remains unavailable with Keith Rossan continuing at out half. Bangor chairman Jonny Watson acknowledges players are pushing for a starting place with the All Ireland Junior Cup final coming up against Dundalk on the 31st Jan. Moss Rogers son of Bangor stalwart John Rogers is another young back who is impressing the coaches as he pushes for a starting place this weekend. When the two sides met at KIlraughts Road in November, Bangor had to work hard for their 17 – 5 win.
Cooke v Donaghadee
Crucial game for both sides as they seek points to avoid relegation to Q 2. Player/coach Colin Atkinson retains the same squad from last Sat with Philip Cartmill coming on to the bench. Donaghadee player/coach Paul McKenzie adds Jack Cooke and Adam Alexander to his squad. When the two sides met at Donaldson Park in September Cooke ran out 36 – 26 winners.
Dromore v Instonians
Game of the day at Barben Hill with Dromore looking to protect their undefeated home record this season. Instonians coach Willaim Leacock was impressed by the late show of his team to score 17 unanswered points to win a dramatic encounter with Bangor 28 -25 last weekend. He will be missing forwards Fergal Lynch and Rory McCrory through injury on Sat with Paddy Marks and Conor Gallagher replacing them. Dromore are at full strength with coach Graham Cloke looking to reverse their 60 – 5 defeat at Shaws bridge in Sept. Will we see an upset this weekend. Sure to attract a large crowd.
Portadown v Clogher Valley
Coach Richard Hedley was disappointed with his teams performance in the 17 – 0 defeat at Ballymoney last Sat. Dairmuid O’Kane and Brian Forrestal are expected to start this weekend. His team are under real pressure to finish in the top four this season. Next Sat they face an inform Dromore team at home in the Towns Cup. Their task gets no easier with the visit of league champions Clogher Valley to Chambers Park. Clogher Valley will be without the injured Aaron Best, David Dunlop, Phil Moore. Eugene McKenna and John Clarke with back row forward Barry Jon Wilson unavailable. In the absence of Captain Aaron Best the experienced David Sharkey has taken over the Captaincy as the team continue to grind out results. In previous seasons this fixture has usually ended up as a title contest between these two sides. Interesting that when the two sides met at the Cran in Sept, Portadown ran out 19 – 18 winners. Can Portadown complete the double over their great rivals.
Fixtures. Sat 17th Jan. Kick off 2.30pm
Ballyclare v CIYMS
Bangor v Ballymoney
Cooke v Donaghadee
Dromore v Instonians
Portadown v Clogher Valley
Qualifying Two
Omagh remain the favourites to win this league. The chasing pack of Carrickfergus, Academy, Coleraine and Enniskillen will be hoping they slip up. With the fixtures coming up over the next two weeks there is a real opportunity for the Tyrone side to open up a gap on their nearest rivals.
Enniskillen v UUC
The County Fermanagh side have built a large playing squad, that they have been able to successfully rotate in their pursuit of silverware this season. The Skins side have three matches in hand on second place Carrickfergus and will be looking maximum points against the students who suffered a crushing 64 – 3 defeat at home to Omagh last Sat. Skins have made several changes to their team with Jack Harte coming into the back row and Connor Hoy starting on the wing. Former Portadown out half Chris McVitty has re -signed for Enniskillen to bolster their talent backline. He will make his debut this weekend. There is frustration in the squad that they lost those two home league matches to Coleraine and Omagh, otherwise they would be in the promotion mix. With the potential to add further players to the squad, the coaches are confident the team can return to Q 1. This is the first meeting between the two sides this season. The students need league points if they are to avoid relegation again this season.
Lisburn v Grosvenor
Coach Mark Crothers has experienced a difficult season at the helm as he looks for league points to avoid finishing in the bottom two. A surprising defeat away to Holywood in the Towns Cup has not helped morale. Their match at Coleraine was postponed last Sat. Grosvenor PRO Alan Egner was pleased with teams performance in their defeat to Academy. Injuries have continued to plague the squad this season, with Davy Egner and Andrew Kelly added to the injured list. Both James Bowman and Stevie Karayiannis are unavailable this weekend, with scrum half Neil Adams playing his last game before heading off to South Africa for nine months. In an update on the long term injured. Winger Mark Atkinson has had a scan on a troublesome knee injury that has kept him out since Sept while forwards Pearce Jamison and Philip Stoops are still hopeful of returning before the end of the season. Veteran Mikey Morris is recovering from an ankle fracture he sustained against Randalstown. Young flanker Sam Purdon has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury. On the plus side, former schoolboys, Jamie McMullan and Shane Johnston have impressed along with Matty Simpson and Carl Rae who are better known for their cricketing exploits. They have all established themselves in the 1st xv. The one stand out player for the team, has been hooker Stuart Smyth who has also brought much needed leadership to the team for such a young player. Grosvenor coach Alasdair McKee will be looking a strong finish to the latter part of the season.
Omagh v Holywood
Coach Phil Marshall was delighted with his teams ten tries in their 64 – 3 win against the Coleraine students. He will be looking a similar performance from his players against visitors Holywood this weekend. Several of his key forwards are unavailable through injury. With the strength in depth at the club he is taking the opportunity to blood some of these young players and give them the experience. Expect another Omagh win. Holywood continue to battle for crucial points to avoid relegation. When the two sides met at Holywood in Sept , Omagh ran out comfortable 51 – 12 winners.
Randalstown v Coleraine
PRO Gregor Sloane acknowledges it has been a diffcult start to the year for Randalstown with two difficult away fixtures at Carrickfergus and Enniskillen. They face a Coleraine side they defeated at Rugby Road in November 11 – 10. Can they complete the double against the North coast side. He is hoping home advantage will give them the edge on Sat. They have their strongest backline available, with David McWhirter a long term absentee out with a fractured leg. Niall McGlade is unavailable on vacation. Michael Smith returns at full back after illness with David Goodrich restored in the midfield. In the forwards Hooker Scott Stevenson is unavailable with the versatile Neil Foster deputising. Gary Irwin is out with an injury this week with David Millar returning from holidays. The return of Paul Laverty, Gary Hume, Garry Irwin and Scott Stevenson has considerably strengthened the 1st xv pack at the club. Coleraine will look to the side that defeated Ballymoney 11 – 3 in the Towns Cup. Sure to be a keenly contested game at Nelisbrook.
Fixtures. Sat 17th Jan. Kick off 2.30pm
Enniskillen v UUC
Lisburn v Grosvenor
Omagh v Holywood
Randalstown v Coleraine
Qualifying Three
Fixtures. Sat 17th Jan. Kick off 2.30pm
Newry v Lurgan
Ophir v Larne
PSNI v Strabane
Qualifying Four
Cavan v Letterkenny
Londonderry YMCA v Monaghan
Virginia v Civil Service
