Qualifying Clubs are seeking valuable league points as they chase league honours and points to avoid relegation. We have two significant derbies with Instonians hosting their neighbours Cooke at Shaws bridge and Omagh welcoming Enniskillen to the Thomas Mellon playing fields. Two fixtures that are sure to attract large crowds.
Instonians remain favourites to lift the Q 1 title as they continue their unbeaten run, with several clubs pursuing the remaining top four places and qualification for the AIL Junior Cup. Both Ballymoney and Donaghadee occupy the bottom two places in Q 1 with AIL club Ards staring relegation from Div 2B of the AIL. If Instonians do not win the Round Robin playoff against the other three provincial winners and the team who finish third bottom in Div 2B we will have two teams relegated from Q 1 to Q 2 with the subsequent knock on effect in Q 2, Q3 and Q 4.
In Q 2 the surprising defeat of unbeaten league leaders Omagh at Coleraine last Sat has given hope to the chasing pack that if Enniskillen and Carrickfergus can defeat Omagh in the coming weeks we could have a real contest for the league title and promotion to Q 1.
Qualifying One
Ballyclare v Donaghadee
Clare coach Chris Campbell knows his team have to get back to winning ways after losing their last four league matches. After a positive start to their league campaign the wheels have come off after Junior Cup and Towns Cup defeats to Omagh and Carrickfergus. With five matches remaining their opponents Donaghadee need to win all their matches to remain in Q 1. Is it a step too far. Their 48 – 0 win over Portadown last Sat at Donaldson Park has made the impossible, possible as they strive to retain their league status. It is no coincidence that the return of veteran out half back Paul Blewitt has seen the team record consecutive wins over Holywood and Portadown. A win for the Dee this weekend will see teams such as Ballyclare and Portadown looking over their shoulders at being dragged into a relegation battle. Dee player coach Paul McKenzie has been forced to make three changes with Adam Alexander, Max Montgomery and Stephen Adams unavailable. They are replaced Jack Cooke, Kyle Morrow and Andrew Findlater. The Dee fans will travel in numbers to urge their team on. Sure to be a few nervous home supporters at the Cloughan on Sat. When these two sides met at the Dee in Oct. Ballyclare ran out comfortable 36 – 10 winners.
Ballymoney v CIYMS
There was surprise at the manner in which Ballymoney were swept aside at home last Sat by Dromore 49 – 23. Player coach Jason Taggart knows his players can’t afford a similar performance against a resurgent CIYMS side chasing that all important top four finish and qualification for the AIL Junior Cup. The Belmont side put up a stubborn performance before losing 8 – 3 at home to undefeated leaders Instonians last weekend. Their coaches Gareth Fry, John Anderson and Davy Scott are confident the players have got over the loss to Dundalk as they look for a strong finish to the season. CIYMS won the corresponding fixture at Belmont in Oct 52 – 12.
Bangor v Portadown
Who would have predicted that last Sat these two sides would concede over 100 points in their defeats to Dundalk and Donaghadee. Amazingly they each conceded eight tries. Bangor Chairman Jonny Watson was honest after his side lost 55 – 5 to Dundalk in the AIL Junior Cup final at Chambers Park. The team froze on the big occasion. It was a shock for all to see. He is expecting a big reponse from the players in front of their home supporters this weekend. Their opponents Portadown suffered a humiliating 48 – 0 loss at Donaldson Park. The coach Richard Hedley was very disappointed by the teams performance. Bangor will be without forwards Freddie Black and Ryan Latimer who suffered head injuries and will follow concussion protocols before they return to play. Full Back Chris Morgan is unavailable with a few more players suffering bumps and bruises. Portadown recall Diarmuid O’Kane, Brian Forrestal, and Neil Irwin with Mark Feely subject to a late fitness test. Two sides who have had their pride severly dented. Expect fireworks in this encounter at Upritchard Park. Bangor will look to complete the double after defeating Portadown 27 – 22 at Chambers Park in October. Portadown have now lost their last five league games.
Dromore v Clogher Valley
This will be another big test for coach Graham Cloke and his players. They bounced back from their Towns Cup defeat at Portadown to inflict on Ballymoney their heaviest defeat at home in recent years. In scoring seven tries in their 49 -23 win, the team has now moved into fourth place with two games in hand over Portadown and Ballyclare. Up coming games against CIYMS, Bangor, Clogher Valley and Instonians will tell us alot about whether this Dromore squad has the players to compete with these teams and qualify for the AIL Junior Cup. Their opponents Clogher Valley remain nine points behind leaders Instonians and determined to make sure they make the South Belfast side fight all the way for their league title. Coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black will be delighted to see their dynamic second row pairing of Eugene McKenna and Michael Treanor reunited. Veteran centre PC Falconer is out injured with Philip Moore and Mark Ellis on the bench. Another fixture that will attract a large crowd to Barben Hill. Clogher Valley were convincing 38 – 5 winners when the two sides met at the Cran in October. Expect a physically compelling encounter between these two teams this weekend.
Instonians v Cooke
This derby encounter at Shawsbridge attracted a large crowd when the two teams met at the same venue in October. Instonians requiring a late response to win 26 – 20. Expect another fiercely contested gladitorial encounter between these two teams on Sat. Coach William Leacock has been pleased by the response of his Instonians players in recent weeks as they continue their undefeated run in all competitions. His side have now played 20 matches with the possibility of another 10/12 fixtures to be played before the end of April. For the players this will involve a nine month season with little rest. The coach acknowledges teams experience lots of injuries at this stage of the season. He would describe it as ‘crazy’ the number of games amateur players are expected to play and that the season is ‘far too long’. Both Harry and Robbie Martin will return to first xv action this weekend. Cooke player coach Colin Atkinson has witnessed the unexpected results continue in this league with his side not out of the running for a top four/five placing. He is delighted with the teams improvement in home performances, that will see him missing key forward Brian Mannus and prolific try scoring winger Andy Pollock as both players are unavailable. There will be late fitness tests faced by Gareth Robinson, Graham Jewhurst, Kyle Mitchell and the player coach himself. His final words are, ” Whatever team plays on Sat we will give it our all”. You can be sure the players will want not only the win but the bragging rights that go along with this fixture.
Fixtures. Sat 7.2.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Ballyclare v Donaghadee
Ballymoney v CIYMS
Bangor v Portadown
Dromore v Clogher Valley
Instonians v Cooke
Qualifying Two
Academy v Coleraine
The North coast side may consider themselves favourites after their thrilling injury time win over league leaders Omagh 21 – 19 last weekend. Academy coach Gareth Lynn was disappointed his team let slip a 15 – 7 lead to end up losing 19 – 15 at Enniskillen. He is expecting a response from his players after back to back defeats against Skins. When these two sides met at Rugby Road in October Coleraine ran out convincing winners 39 – 17. James Blair, Norman Carson and Graeme Dobbin are unavailable for Academy with Chris Nash, Adam Martin, Stewart Martin and Ross Bryans returning to the side.
Carrickfergus v Lisburn
Coach Warren McLean will want his Carrick side to maintain their six match undefeated league run. With his side facing a Towns Cup quarter final trip to Donaghadee on Sat week he will be expecting his players to step up after struggling to a 24 – 17 win away to the students from UUC. When these two sides met at Blaris in in November, Carrick ran out comfortable 38 – 11 winners. Nothing less than the maximum five points will be needed from this match to keep the pressure on leaders Omagh. Club Pro Eddie Lloyd believes, the challenge for the players is about self belief and keeping injuries to a minimum. ‘When the players are happy the club is happy’. Lisburn Player coach Mark Crothers has a mountain to climb to keep his team in Q 2. A surprise 18 -14 defeat at relegation threatened Holywood has put the coach and his players under pressure to perform. A trip to the in form Carrick side at the Tom Simms Memorial Park will be a daunting challenge for his young squad.
Holywood v Randalstown
Can coach Laurence Kelly against all the odds keep the Kerr Park side in Q 2. A much needed win over Lisburn 18 -14 has given the players the belief they can turn around their season. Randalstown are a team who have impressed everyone with their performances this season. Their home form in particular has helped to consolidate their mid table placing in this league. Coaches Gary Longwell and Alastair Strange have been forced to make several changes for this weekend after defeating Grosvenor 19 – 3 at Nelisbrook last Sat. Out half Ryan Bailey who scored three tries against Grosvenor is unavailable with the experienced Dan McGlade replacing him. Scrum half John O’Kane joins the injury list to be replaced by Chris McGoldrick. Ryan McGarry returns on the wing with a re jigged front row, with tight head Gary Hume ruled out through injury. Neil Foster moves over from hooker with Scott Stevenson replacing him and Jonny Adair filling the loose head position. Gary Irwin drops down to the bench. This is the first meeting of the two teams this season in the league.
Omagh v Enniskillen
With the resurgence of rugby in the South West , led by Clogher Valley, Omagh and Enniskillen these three teams have featured prominently in all the Ulster Branch competitions this season. The meeting of these two sides at the Thomas Mellon playing fields will surely attract one of the biggest crowds to this venue in recent years. Omagh lost their unbeaten league run at Coleraine last sat 21 – 19. Can the Skins team reverse the narrow 15 – 12 defeat they suffered at Mullaghmeen before Xmas. Skins are on a four match undefeated run and know wins over Omagh, Coleraine and Carrickfergus will see them join in the promotion race not to mention their Towns Cup quarter final at home to Ballynahinch seconds on Sat week. Omagh coach Phil Marshall has had to make two changes with prop Steven Lyons being injured by a bull on the home farm during the week. Fortunately Steven survived this ordeal and got away with bad bruising all over. Not many coaches and teams are faced with such an explanation for a players unavailability or have a prop face a bull and survive the experience. We wish Steven a speedy recovery. Centre Yonga Taleni is unavailable. Captain and prop Mark Smyth remains on the injured list. Skins will look to use their powerful forwards to exploit the unavailability of the Omagh first choice props. Omagh will look to get back to winning ways with the Skins team looking to maintain their winning run. Sure to be a cracking contest. Enniskillen Head coach Norman Richmond will demand nothing less than a win from his players.
Fixtures. Sat. 7.2.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Academy v Coleraine
Carrickfergus v Lisburn
Holywoodv Randalstown
Omagh v Enniskillen
Gordon West Cup Quarter Finals
Fixtures. Sat. 7.2.15. kick off 2.30pm
Larne v PSNI
Lurgan v Limavady
Letterkenny v Virginia
Monaghan v Strabane.
