Once again Joe Schmidt has become the name we all want to talk about as he and his coaching team raised the spirits of Irish rugby followers
with a well deserved win over South Africa at the Aviva stadium last Saturday evening. Whilst the eyes of the world were on the Irish team; in Ireland and Ulster we had our Grassroots programme from the schools to the club game fulfilling another congested fixture schedule. For the dedicated coaches, players and referees who make this possible there is a continuing uncomfortable theme developing from the introduction of professional rugby in 1995. The players are bigger and more powerful at all levels with the intensity of the collisions mirroring two cars colliding. Should we be concerned, the answer is Yes. I heard Irish Captain Paul O’Connell talking about the need for Irish players to be bigger to compete with the physic of the South Africans. Many observers may say these words only apply in the professional game. We have young impressionable players who’ swallow’ these words with a determination to emulate and one day join the ranks of the professional game. As a parent I witnessed one of these collisions last Saturday at Ballymena when my son and another player from his team clashed heads and lay prostrate on the ground suffering from concussion and fractures to their facial area. So many thoughts go through your head whilst watching the medical professionals do their job. Will he be alright, how serious is the injury. We will find out today as he enters a Belfast hospital for facial surgery that could determine his playing career. Many rugby pundits and friends have told me it is a contact sport and unfortunately there are injuries. Sadly today these injuries are increasing at an alarming rate with some clubs struggling to field teams due to their ever lengthening injury lists. These injuries are life changing for some players with many unable to continue playing the Sport. The IRFU and the IRB are powerful organisations with Coporate and Commercial interests that can deflect the bad press on a subject like injuries in rugby union. Professor Allyson Pollock has published a book – “Tackling Rugby: What every parent should know about injuries”. The book may make uncomfortable reading for the rugby hierarchy, but something has to be done to address injuries in rugby union. We can’t continue to bury our heads in the sand and hope the problem will go away. We have to look at the regulations and how safety in the game can be improved. Too many players at all levels are being discarded and forgotten about after injury, as we seek out replacements to keep this cycle of human misery continuing. For those who may disagree with my views, the feedback from the clubs would support my observations.
Club action continues this weekend with the Ulster Bank All Ireland League and the Qualifying league programmes taking centre stage. It was a difficult weekend for the Ulster clubs in the AIL with Malone, Dungannon and City of Derry our only winners. Leinster, Munster and Connacht teams sit proudly at the top of the four leagues. Ballynahinch, Ballymena and Armagh remain best placed to challenge for league honours. In the Qualifying leagues Instonians, Omagh, Lurgan and BHSFP remain undefeated at the top of the four Qualifying leagues.
All Ireland league Div 1A
With no Ulster players released to the AIL clubs, Ballynahinch went down 29 – 20 at Young Munster last Sat. Coach Derek Suffern will be looking maximum points with the visit of Cork side – Dolphin to Ballymacarn Park this weekend. Fifth placed Hinch are pushing for that all important top four play off place in their sixtieth anniversary season. The Cork side remain without a win from their opening six matches.
Fixtures. Sat 15.11.14. Kick off 2.30pm
Landsdowne v Terenure College. Played Friday 14.11.14. kick off 7.30pm
Ballynahinch v Dolphin
Cork Constitution v Clontarf
Old Belvedere v UCD
St Mary’s College v Young Munster.
Div 1B
There was a major upset at Eaton Park last Sat as Malone defeated league leaders Ballymena 13 – 7. The scoreline does not reflect the dominance of a Malone pack that suffocated their opponents. Young Malone outhalf Josh Bingham controlled the game with his astute kicking and distribution. Ex Methody Captain Ross Kane once again impressed in the front row in his tussle with former Ulster and Ireland prop Bryan Young. Injuries to Richard Millar and James McAllister will require changes to the Malone forwards for the trip to league leaders Galwegians in Galway. Ulster players Bronson Ross, Conor Joyce and Paul Jackson have been released to play for Malone. Ballymena replace Richie McMaster at outhalf with Timmy Small as McMaster drops to the bench. Mike McComish is the only Ulster player released to play for the Braid men, as they travel to Limerick to face Garryowen. Coach Andy Graham will be looking for a much improved performance by his players. Belfast Harlequins have much work to do after suffering a defeat at home to Athlone side Buccaneers. Injuries continue to disrupt Coach Adam Larkins team selection. With the first of two trips to Galway coming up in consecutive weekends the Malone Road based side face a difficult fixture against Corinthians who are also chasing valuable league points.
Fixtures. Sat 15.11.14. Kick off 2.30pm
Shannon v UL Bohemians. Played Friday 14.11.14. kick off 2.30pm
Buccaneers v Dublin Uni
Corinthians v Belfast Harlequins
Galwegians v Malone
Garryowen v Ballymena
Div 2A
All the Ulster sides will be looking a win as the teams in Div 2A and 2B break for three weeks after this weekend before their AIL programme resumes on the 6th December. There was much relief in the North West as coaches Mark Nicholl, Neil Beddow and the players celebrated that all important first AIL win by 26 – 23 over fellow Ulster side Banbridge. The opposite was the case in the Bann camp as they let slip a commanding 17 – 6 lead. Dungannon held on to win 17 – 16 away in Cork to the students of UUC. Once again star performers James McMahon and Jack Milligan contributed all their points. With defeats for Queens Uni, Rainey and Banbridge the Ulster sides in this league have much work to do if they are to retain their placings in the third tier of AIL rugby next season. Banbridge face second place Barnhall at Rifle Park with points crucial as three points separate them from the bottom seven teams in tenth place. Dungannon welcome fourth place Blackrock College to Stevenson Park. Despite a difficult start to the season the County Tyrone side have secured back to back wins in recent weeks. James McMahon with five tries and the kicking boots of Jack Milligan have been key players for the team. Recent additions to the playing squad Matthew Montgomery, Karl Egan and Ross McCaughey continue to impress. Can Dungannon Captain James Bates mastermind another win for the County Tyrone side. Rainey return to County Kildare after losing 30 – 20 at second placed Barnhall last weekend when they visit nineth placed Naas. Rainey sit bottom in the league on seven points four points behind Naas. The clubs in this league are fighting for every point as they look to avoid finishing in the bottom six. Coach Richard Boyd in his fifth season at the club is confident his side have the players to finish in the top ten of this league. This weekend he will wlcome back the experienced Tim Barker and Neil O’Kane in the forwards along with Nicholas Sterling, Damien McMurray and Gavin Martin in the backs. Injuries and player unavailability have decimated this young playing squad this season. In the coming weeks the availability of players including Mark O’Connor, Michael Shiels, Timmy Woods, David Dawson, Jack Fleming, Conor Simpson and Angus Warwicker will provide the coach with a few welcome selection headaches. The return of the injured Michael Pyper at scrumhalf and Timmy Emerson at outhalf has excited the coach as he looks for that all important win. Captain Jody McMurray continues to lead by example with the talented Ross McCloskey impressing each week. It was an impressive performance for a young Rainey team with nine school leavers to run promotion chasing Barnhall so close last Sat. We wish them well on their travels this weekend. Moss Dineen is looking forward to the trip by his beloved City of Derry to County Tipperary to play Nenagh Ormond this weekend. Nenagh are sitting in seventh place on twelve points – four points ahead of second bottom Derry in fifteenth place. Fullback Peter Henderson and winger Johnny Kennedy are unavailable to travel. WInger William McCleery moves to fullback with Philip Duffy replacing McCleery. Jack Hargan comes on to the other wing to replace Johnny Kennedy. The only changes in the pack will see Chris Shields and Ross Harkin starting on the bench. Replacement outhalf Richard McCarter who along with Andrew Semple masterminded the Derry comeback against Banbridge starts again from the bench. A difficult venue for Derry who will look for a confidence boosting win to take into their First Trust Senior Cup semi final on the 29th November away to Ballynahinch. Queens entertain Seapoint at the Dub after a disappointing performance away to league leaders Old Wesley at Donnybrook last Sat. Once again the Queens players struggled to match the physicality of the larger Old Wesley forwards. Despite the talent at the disposal of Coach Bob Young his players have to adapt to AIL rugby where field position and set pieces dominate how you play rugby in this league. Seapoint were well beaten by Dungannon two weeks ago and bounced back with a home win over Thomond. This autumnal weather dictates the necessity to have a plan B to adapt to the weather conditions.
Fixtures. Sat 15.11.14. kick off 2.30pm
Banbridge v NUIM Barnhall
Bective Rangers v Old Wesley
Cashel RFC v UCC
Dungannon v Blackrock College
Naas v Rainey OB
Nenagh Ormond v City of Derry
Queens v Seapoint
Thomond v Skerries
Div 2B
There was much disppointment in Ulster rugby circles that Armagh failed to defeat leaders Highfield at the Palace grounds in losing 16 – 14 last Sat. There was also the issue of the Munster side using seven replacements during the match. I thought clubs in the AIL could only use five replacements. I understand this is not the first occasion this has happened. Never the less Coach Andrew Hughes has a full squad at his disposal for the trip to the back pitch at the Aviva stadium where they entertain newly promoted Wanderers. Armagh are in fourth place – four points behind league leaders Highfield with promotion the goal for the team. How fortunes change in this league. Last season Sligo and Bruff were struggling to avoid relegation. This season they sit second and third in the league. What do we say about struggling Ards. Director of rugby Stevie Nutt and the coaches face another difficult home fixture against Greystones at Hamilton Park on Sat. Not only did the team suffer a heavy 45 – 12 defeat away to Kanturk, they also picked up several more injuries. The most serious was the head and shoulder injury sustained by 18year old forward Danny Patton that required an ambulance trip to a Cork Hospital. He has been discharged and we all wish him a speedy recovery from a disclocated shoulder injury. Winger Neil Armstrong had to leave the pitch after ten minutes with a head injury. What more can we say on this subject. Are we asking too much of these young players to compete against big powerful adult athletes. Ards will be delaying selection to late in the week.
Fixtures. Played Friday 14.11.14. kick off 7.30pm
DLSP v Navan RFC Play
Highfield v Kanturk
Played Saturday 15.11.14. kick off 2.30pm
Ards v Greystones
Midleton v Boyne
Richmond v Sligo
Sundays Well v Old Crescent
Tullamore v Bruff
Wanderers v Armagh
Qualifying League Rugby.
It is back to league action this Sat after the excitement and drama of the Millar, McCall, Wylie Junior Cup last weekend. Wins for Instonians, Ballyclare, Omagh and Enniskillen will see Instonians oppose Enniskillen and Omagh travel to Ballyclare for two exciting semi finals to be played on Sat the 29th November. Interesting to note, none of the three Qualifying One teams remaining in the AIL junior Cup Clogher Valley, Bangor and CIYMS made the latter stages of the
Junior Cup. These three teams will be the focus of attention when their AIL Junior Cup quarter finals are played on Sat 22nd November.
Qualifying One
League leaders and title favourites Instonians travel to Donaldson Park to play bottom placed and winless Donaghadee. It is worthy of noting that Instonians have scored 190 pts and conceded 46 points from six matches. Donaghadee have scored 78 points and conceded 188 pts from five games. This illustrates the gulf between the top and bottom teams in Q 1. Dee player/ coach Paul McKenzie is under no illusions about the task that confronts them on Sat. Players including Captain Ally Lockhart, Chris Hamilton, Chris Good and veteran Billy Allen will relish this contest. Instonians coach William Leacock will pick his strongest team with players, Robert Whitten, Paddy Marks and Zach Finlay returning after being rested. Injuries rule out Captain Alan Whitten and winger Matt Kilpatrick. The coach has a few other injury concerns before his team is decided on Thursday night. Bangor entertain a Dromore team at Upritchard Park that has yet to win on the road this season. It is a dismal stat that coach Graham Cloke will want to reverse after their impressive 11 – 3 win over Portadown at Barben Hill in their last league outing. The only changes are Rory Pepper moving into the second row with Jonathan Maguire coming in at number 8. Bangor coach Rupert West knows league points are important as his team maintain their push for a top four league placing. He also has the small matter of an All Ireland Junior Cup quarter final coming up on Sat week against reigning champions Enniscorthy at Upritchard Park. Ballyclare are another team chasing a top four placing. They welcome winless Ballymoney to the Cloughan for a ‘Big Sponsors’ day. No doubt coach Chris Campbell and the players will want to put on an impressive show. There is an injury doubt over Gareth Byers with influential outhalf Niall lawther returning. Bobby Smith continues at fullback after a strong performance against Quins seconds in the Junior Cup. Ballymoney coach Jason Taggart knows his side need league points. Both Thomas Skelton and Peter Irvine are unavailable with Jamesy Campbell moving into out half and Matthew Blair starting at prop. Portadown coach Richard Hedley has went public over player attendance at training after a run of four successive defeats in all competitions. The task does not get any easier as they welcome CIYMS to Chambers Park. Again top four is important for both clubs. Second place Clogher Valley travel to Shaws bridge to play eighth placed Cooke. After a thumping 29 – 10 win at CIYMS the Fivemiletown side are building for an assault on both the AIL Junior Cup and the league title. Coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black rest back row forward BJ Wilson who is replaced by Alastair Trenier. Winger Jack Stott who was injured at Bangor is restored to the wing with centre PC Falconer also back after injury. There is a slight concern over prop Phil Moore who starts on the bench with Ronan McAleer starting. No information on the Cooke side who will have been delighted with their crucial 7 – 0 win at Ballymoney. This will be a tricky fixture for the Cran side as player/coach Colin Atkinson will have his Cooke side well prepared. They almost toppled Instonians at this venue.
Fixtures. Sat 15.11.14. kick off 2.30pm
Donaghadee v Instonians
Bangor v Dromore
Ballyclare v Ballymoney
Portadown v CIYMS
Cooke v Clogher Valley
Qual Two
With leaders Omagh not playing this weekend there is another opportunity for Coleraine to move top of Q 2 after their surprising 11 – 10 home defeat to
Randalstown. They travel to play Holywood at Kerr park who remain without a win after five matches. Coach Lawrence Kelly has a difficult task as he fights to keep his Holywood team in Q 2. Coleraine Captain Stephen Dickey will demand a much improved performance from his players as they seek maximum points from this contest. Academy travel to Belmont to play sixth place Grosvenor. Interesting game with plenty at stake for both teams. Academy have the talent in their playing squad to trouble teams like Omagh, Coleraine and Carrickfergus. Carrickfergus travel to Blaris after their surprise home defeat to Enniskillen. They can’t afford anymore slip ups if they want to be considered promotion contenders. Coach Marc Crothers has steered his Lisburn team through some difficult fixtures as they look to avoid the relegation zone. Randalstown’s shock win at Coleraine will be the boost coach Gary Longwell and his players needed as they push for more league points. Neilsbrook will be a difficult venue for the Coleraine students to pick up any points.
Fixtures. Sat 15.11.14. kick off 2.30pm
Grosvenor v Academy
Holywood v Coleraien
Lisburn v Carrickfergus
Randalstown v UUC
Qual Three
Fixtures. Sat 14.11.14. kick off 2.30pm
Larne v PSNI
Limavady v Lurgan
Strabane v Donegal
Qual Four
Fixtures. Sat 14.11.14. kick off 2.30pm
Letterkenny v BHSFP
Londonderry YMCA v Civil Service
PS.For the thousands of Ulster rugby supporters, make the effort to get along and support your local community club.
