What a weekend of rugby we have coming up across the Province. With European Cup, British & Irish Cup, All Ireland League, Qualifying League, not to mention the teams involved in Junior, Minor, Schools and Club Youth Rugby. There will be disappointment for Ulster Rugby to see their teams in the European Cup and the British & Irish Cup sitting bottom of their groups without a win. Last weekend provided so much nail biting action at Domestic level with Ballynahinch and Malone securing a place in the Final of the First Trust Senior Cup to be played at the Kingspan stadium – Tuesday 10th December with a 7.30pm kick off. Well done to both clubs. In the Millar, McCall, Wylie, Junior Cup both Instonians and Omagh made it through to the Final to be played at the Kingspan stadium on Tuesday the 16th December with a 7.45pm kick off. Both clubs remain undefeated in all competitions this season. Something will have to give in the final. It was pleasing to note the hundreds of supporters who came out to support their teams at the different venues. What a vibrant brand we have to offer at Provincial level in Ulster. In the Qualifying league a strong CIYMS xv were defeated 34 – 15 by a buoyant Donaghadee team as the Donaldson Park side recorded their first league win of the season whilst Ballymoney remain without a win after losing 17 – 5 at home to Bangor. Ulster AIL clubs in Div 1A and B reach the halfway stage this weekend in week 9 of their league action whilst the Ulster sides in DIV 2A and B enter week seven. Unknown to many rugby followers we have an ongoing selection process involving the selection of players from the AIL to represent the Irish Club xv in the forthcoming internationals during the Six Nations programme. Ballymena Director of Rugby Peter McKenzie has been appointed as Ulster’s representative on the selection panel. Selection for players on the team, has resulted in several players being able to pursue a professional career in rugby. The current selection process has reduced the squad to 28/30 players with the squad eventually being cut to 25. We will be hopeful that there will be an Ulster representation within the squad. Ulster clubs Ballymena, Ballynahinch, Malone and City of Derry have players shortlisted for the squad.
Ulster Bank AIL League Div 1A
Ballynahinch remain undefeated at home in the AIL this season. Their task will be made no easier when they welcome league leaders Terenure College to Ballymacarn on Sat. Hinch lost their opening AIL league game at Terenure 32 – 20 in September. Coach Derek Suffern and Captain Harry McAleese know their side will need another committed eighty minutes from the players as one win and one draw from their last four games has seen their team slip down the table to within two points of second bottom St Mary’s. Prop Kyle McCall has been called up to the Ulster Ravens. Both Stuart Morrow and Robin Harte are unavailable.
Fixtures Sat 6.12.14. Kick off. 2.30pm
Ballynahinch v Terenure College
Cork Constitution v Old Belvedere
Dolphin v Landsdowne
St Mary’s College v UCD
Young Munster v Clontarf
Div 1B
Ballymena bounced back from two defeats to record a convincing b/p win over Shannon at Eaton Park two weeks ago. Ulster players Mike McComish, Michael Lagan and Richie McMaster have been released this weekend to play against Buccaneers at Dubarry Park. Having slipped seven points behind league leaders Galwegians the Braid side know Garryowen are chasing hard on their heels for that all important second place. Coach Andy Graham will look for an improved performance following their Senior Cup loss last weekend to Malone. The East Belfast side are depleted of playing resources due to Ulster Ravens call ups and an ever lengthening injury list. Coach Jacque Benade will look to his much changed Malone side to repeat the performance they put in to reach the Senior Cup Final. Players including Ross Kane, Cory Tipping, Ben Alexander, Ben McDonnell and John Burns in the forwards and the half back pairing of Jack McMurty and Neil Burns along with fellow backs Kieran Joyce, Michael Barker and the exciting Andy Bryans can secure that much needed win against Shannon in Limerick. No Ulster players have been released to Malone. Belfast Harlequins face an inform and talented Dublin Uni side at Deramore Park. Injuries continue to impact on the players available to coach Adam Larkin. With his team positioned bottom of the league there is an urgent need to pick up valuable league points. After his Ravens debut scrum half Josh Fullerton has been added to their injury list that includes Adam White sidelined with an injured knee for the season along with new signing Eamon Lane who has ruptured an Achilles. From a position of having four scrum halves – Matthew Rainey is the only fit nine left to wear the jersey. Second row Callum Leckey’s return to the 1st xv has been put on hold after being injured playing for the seconds last Sat.
Fixtures Sat 6.12.14. Kick off 2.30pm
Belfast Harlequins v Dublin Uni
Buccaneers v Ballymena
Corinthians v UL Bohemians
Garryowen v Galwegians
Shannon v Malone
Div 2A
With all sixteen sides fighting to make the top ten placings, to retain their position in the third tier of the AIL rugby, Ulster sides Dungannon and City of Derry are positoned in the bottom four with one point separating these teams. City of Derry entertain Dungannon at Judges Road this weekend.There was disappointment for the North West side as an injury time try by Ballynahinch denied them a place in the Senior Cup final. Coaches Mark Nicholl and Neil Beddow will be looking maximum points against the County Tyrone side. The contest between the half back pairing of Andrew Semple and Richie McCarter for Derry and James Bates and Jack Milligan for Dungannon will determine the outcome of this match. Spectators will also enjoy the dynamic running of the two respective number 8’s Stephen Ferguson for Derry and James McMahon for Dungannon. Rainey coach Richard Boyd is delighted to say he can select the same starting xv for the home game with Bective. He welcomes the return of their outstanding loose forward Michael Shiells after injury to take his place on the bench. The returning Mark O’Connor put in a man of the match performance, contributing 21 points from their 31 – 23 win at Naas. With the Magherfelt side sitting in tenth place there is a belief that this talented squad can finish the second half of the season in the top four. Banbridge coach Daniel Soper has been delighted with the home performances of his Bann side who make the trip to Dublin to play Skerries. With no changes to the team the Captain Jonny Graham is confident his side can pick up a much needed away win. Centres Jonny Little and Andy Morrison can create the openings for their talented and strong running threequarters. Promotion chasing Queens are on the road to Cork this weekend to face fellow student side UCC who picked up a much needed AIL win at home to second placed Barnhall last Sat. Ulster Ravens call ups and injuries continue to deprive Coach Bob Young of several of his front line players. Captain Ryan Clarke and his players need the points.
Fixtures Sat 6.12.14. Kick off 2.30pm
Blackrock College v Thomond
City of Derry v Dungannon
NUIM Barnhall V Naas
Old Wesley v Cashel RFC
Rainey OB v Bective
Seapoint v Nenagh Ormond
Skerries v Banbridge
UCC v Queens Uni
Div 2B
Two defeats have pushed Armagh down to seventh place in the league. With the top four sides competing for a place in the fourth tier of the AIL next season, coach Andy Hughes and Captain Mark Ridell cannot afford any more slip ups. Midleton are one point and two places ahead of Armagh. Number 8 Neil Faloon and scrum half Harry Doyle will need big performances to get their Armagh side back to winning ways. Ards head in the opposite direction to face league leaders Highfield in Cork. Once again Coach Stewart Porter has selection problems with player unavailability and injuries. With the bottom two teams being relegated and the third bottom placed side facing a playoff, the Hamilton Park team need to start picking up league points.
Fixtures. Sat 6.12.14. Kick off 2.30pm
Armagh v Midleton
Boyne v Tullamore
Bruff v Wanderers
Greystones v Sundays Well
Highfield v Ards
Kanturk v DLSP
Navan v Richmond
Old Crescent v Sligo
Qualifying One
Runaway league leaders Instonians will travel with a full strength squad to Ballymoney on Sat as their team have no match on the 13th December. They then face a programme of three matches in eleven days that will define their season with the Junior Cup Final on the 16th, Clogher Valley at home in league on 20th and Portadown away on Sat 27th Dec. Coach William Leacock was full of praise for the Enniskillen team, particularly their props Gareth and Richard Beatty who tormented his front row. Ballymoney coach Jason Taggart was pleased with his teams performance in their 17 – 5 home defeat to a strong Bangor team last Sat. They will require more of the same against a formidable Shaws bridge side. Chasing Clogher Valley have the ideal preparation for their All Ireland Junior Cup semi final at Bangor the following week when a’ hurting’ Ballyclare are the visitors to the Cran. Both sides occupy second and third place in the league. Clogher will be without props Ronan McAleer and Phil Moore with John Clarke steeping up to the bench. Alastair Trenier is unlucky to lose his place in the back row to the experienced back row trio of Ryan and BJ Wilson and David Sharkey. Ballyclare are still reeling from their home defeat to Omagh in the Junior Cup. Davy Clarke returns at 12 with David Chambers reinstated in the back row. Bobby Smith continues at 10 in the absence of Niall Lawther. Once again this match will attract a large crowd to the Fivemiletown venue. Belmont will see the meeting of All Ireland Junior Cup semi finalists CIYMS and Bangor. Both sides need the points to finish in the top four. Was it complacency amongst the CIYMS team when they travelled to Donaldson Park last Sat. This is one of those venues none of the Q 1 sides likes travelling to. Outcome a surprise 34 – 15 – five try defeat to Donaghadee. Despite the rumours circulating that CIYMS fielded an understrength team it was the hunger displayed by the home side that overwhelmed their opponents. No doubt CIYMS Head coach Gareth Fry will have worked his players hard this week. Bangor may rest a couple of their key players after resting seven of their 1st xv squad against Ballymoney. CIYMS have a full strength squad available with the coach having to make several key selection decisions. He will welcome back influential centre Jason Gilliland along with back row Ross Hackney. When you see players like Captain Gavin Woods and Mark Scott on the bench you can see the selection diffculties for the coaches. Young props Elliott Boyd and Ricky Greenwood have shown reputations count for nothing. The large numbers at training are a reflection of the options available at Belmont this season. What they need is consistency week in, week out in performances. The remaining two fixtures involve teams caught up in the race to finish in the top four and two sides looking points to move away from the relegation zone. First up is the visit of Portadown to Shaws bridge to play Cooke. Looking at recent results Cooke were unlucky to lose 26 – 20 and 19 – 12 at home to Instonians and Clogher Valley. As player coach Colin Atkinson told me, his players are performing for 65/70 minutes not the full 80 minutes. These margins are determining the outcome of closely contested matches. There are positives for the coach with Captain Philip Cartmill returning to training after a long term injury. New signing Jonny Dickson ex Armagh and Queens has also resumed training following a back complaint along with experienced second row Michael Johnston who was out with pneumonia. Injuries will rule our second row Andrew Quigley, and scrum half Adam McIIwaine for the rest of the season. The experienced second row Graham Jewhurst has stepped in to take over the captaincy. The coach is pleased with the development and progress of scrum half Gareth Robinson in the absence of McIIwaine. New signings Brian Mannus and Andrew Pollock have impressed with Pollock the former Quins winger scoring nine tries. In fact the coach says he has been exceptional for them. Mannus has added bulk/ experience to the back row at number 8. What has pleased the coach as well is the progress two young players Andrew Hanna and Matthew Hanna have made since they joined the club from Wellington College. The players coming into the 1st xv have created a healthy competition for places this season. Cooke’s goals may have changed from the beginning of the season, but for the coach he is confident you will see a strong second half finish to the season. Portadown are looking forward to getting back to playing after a three week break. Forwards coach Ciaran O’Kane is confident his side will have a big say in the outcome of the league. They have a squad that can match any team in this league. Dromore on the back of wins over Bangor and Portadown will be confident they can maintain their winning run when they welcome Donaghadee to Barben Hill. Coach Graham Cloke is familar with the competitiveness of the Dee side from his days at CIYMS. Once again the half back contest between Lee Steenson and Chris Jenk for Dromore and Alastair Lockhart and Player coach Paul McKenzie for the Dee with excite supporters on both sides. Can Dee build on the win over CIYMS, this should be a fascinating game for the spectators. With Andrew Findlater unavailable for the Dee, Matthew Stockton has been added to the playing squad. Player coach Paul McKenzie has been indebted to the effort and commitment put in by his assistant coach John West and Strength and conditioning coach Eamon McGratton that has contributed significantly to the turn around in numbers at training during the week. A positive result will give the players confidence for a massive relegation match with Ballymoney at Donaldson Park on Sat 20th Dec.
Fixtures. Sat 6.12.14. Kick off 2.30pm
Ballymoney v Instonians
CIYMS v Bangor
Clogher Valley v Ballyclare
Cooke v Portadown
Dromore v Portadown
Qualifying Two
Omagh continue to fly the flag for Q 2 with their unbeaten run in both the league and Junior Cup. Coach Phil Marshall is well aware of the chasing pack and the importance of bonus points. His team travel to play a Lisburn side struggling for league points. Their coach Mark Crothers knows his side are only five points ahead of UUC and Holywood with these teams having games in hand on his team. Carrickfergus have made their intentions clear after defeating neighbours Academy 29 – 11 last Sat. Despite Omagh being the favourites to win promotion, Carrick like Coleraine will remain in pusuit of the Tyrone side this season. The draw for the Towns Cup has thrown up an appetising local derby with near neighbours Ballyclare to launch the clubs 150th Anniversary season on the 3rd Jan at the Tom Simms Memorial Park. Struggling Holywood like UUC and Lisburn are also chasing valuable league points. Coach Laurence Kelly is having to work with a small playing squad. Grosvenor have been plagued by injuries but came up one point short of Coleraine to lose 26 – 25 last Sat at Belmont. It was a heroic effort by the East Belfast side who were denied a win by the width of a post keeping a conversion out. Grosvenor are coming off three consecutive home defeats whereas their opponenets Randalstown are hoping to make it four wins in a row. Gary Longwell will know his side can take nothing for granted as Alasdair McKee’s Grosvenor side showed real character to turn a late 26 – 13 deficit, almost into a win. Randalstown will be at front strength with only Dan McGlade unavailable. Both David McWhirter and Chris Allen are expected to return after injury with John O’Kane and Neil Foster retaining their place. Second row David Miller is also pushing for a starting place. The team are looking to continue their momentum, before their next match away to Enniskillen in the Towns Cup. Academy coach Gareth Lynn was disappointed with his teams performance against Carrickfergus last weekend. He conceded the better team had won. Both Kyle Dobbin and Chris Cooper return this week with flying winger Norman Carson unavailable for the home game with UUC. The students are still looking their first win after a difficult start to the season. The potential is there in the squad to turn their season around.
Fixtures. Sat 6.12.14. Kick off 2.30pm
Academy v UUC
Grosvenor v Randalstown
Holywood v Carrickfergus
Lisburn v Omagh
Qualifying Three
Larne remain the team to beat in this league. Can coach Bruce Corneilius and his Lurgan team plot the downfall of the undefeated East Antrim side at home this weekend. Both teams have been drawn to meet each other again in the Towns Cup at Pollack Park on the 3rd Jan.
Fixtures Sat 6.12.14. Kick off 2.30pm
Donegal v Limavady
Lurgan v larne
Newry v PSNI
Strabane v Ophir
Qualifying Four
Letterkenny v Civil Service
Londonderry YMCA v Virginia
Monaghan v Cavan.
Cheers
George
PS. We are seeing increasing numbers of spectators coming out to support their local community clubs. Why not take in a club fixture before the Ulster v Scarlets match at the Kingspan stadium.
