12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives to surpassment.
In 3 or 4 seasons you have as players and coaches experienced incredible promotions in the AIL league. We think possibly 12-16 Ulster teams have been promoted in various leagues, you have inspired everyone and literally taken the breath away from spectators and shown everyone just what you can do. Is it enough. Of course its enough. Just being in the game is enough, just being part of this game is enough!!!!!!!!!!!! it is with honour and respect that we present to you a review of things by George Millar. But you have also grown. You do work together. You are proud to support rugby and you are in the game. Can you do this? Yes you can. Will everyone get what they want? Yes you will! Respect the opposition, oh yes because they are all good sides, BUT WE WANT IT, oh yes we do! Hard work, graft, togetherness, an unquenchable human desire to be successful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will rise above, we have grown, we have a higher level, we are inspired, we will fight when needed, believing all the time, even in defeat, continuing, and ultimately sticking at it until they cannot but yield to perfect mauls, perfect rucks, perfect scrums, perfect lineouts, perfect teams, perfect defences and PERFECT ATTACKS they cannot but yield to excellence. Excellence and dedication will win. Zoned in will win, going for it will win, and we will stake out and assert ourselves by all the hard work, we will take the hard work, and we will stick to the job. YOU Believe completely in you.
12 weeks, 12 clubs, 12 objectives.
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Ulster Bank All Ireland League Preview Saturday 15th February 2014 by George Millar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Armageddan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We enter week twelve of the AIL league programme for the Ulster sides competing in AIL 1A &1B, with six matches remaining. In Divisions 2A and 2B we enter week eleven with five games remaining. In their last outings on the 1st February, Ulster sides Belfast Harlequins and Malone were the only winners with Ballynahinch, Dungannon, Queens, City of Derry, Armagh and Ards losing. Games involving Banbridge, Rainey , Ballymena and Instonians were postponed due to water logged pitches. In Div 1A Ballynahinch remain second bottom after losing at bottom side Garryowen 18 – 9 following on from their home defeat to Dolphin. In Div 1B Belfast Harlequins consolidated their mid table position on the back of three consecutive wins in the AIL. Malone built on their win at Dungannon to record an impressive 13 – 8 home win over a star studded Buccaneers side to move up to seventh place. Dungannon remain rooted at the bottom after their fifth successive AIL defeat. In Div 2A Galwegians and NUIM Barnhall have taken over the top two positions from Ulster sides Queens, City of Derry and Ballymena. Rainey remain in a mid table position with Banbridge in twelfth place. The County Down side have two crucial AIL games coming up at Highfield this weekend and a rearranged game away to Bruff on the 22 nd Feb to move away from the relegation zone. In Division 2B Armagh remain in contention for promotion in fourth place despite their poor away form. Ards sit in eleventh place , eight point ahead of second bottom Instonians. Their form in January, with one win and two losing bonus points from two narrow losses has given the club the hope they will not be caught up in their annual relegation battle this season. For Instonians rugby club their next two fixtures at home to Tullamore this weekend and their rearranged home game with DLSP on the 22nd Feb will potentially decide their future in the AIL. At present, Leinster, Connacht and Munster clubs are in pole position to claim league and promotion honours this season. Ulster sides Ballynahinch, Dungannon, Malone, Banbridge and Instonians have much work to do to avoid relegation this season. Can Ulster sides Queens, City of Derry, Ballymena and Armagh mount late challenges for promotion from their leagues. The availability of the large Academy squads in Leinster, Munster and Connacht will certainly strengthen the ambitions of their clubs. Such resources are not available to support the Ulster clubs in the AIL.
Division 1A
Cork Constitution v Dolphin. Played Friday 14th February 2014 . KO 7.30PM
Lansdowne v St Mary’s College. Played Friday 14th February 2014. KO 7.30PM
UCD v Clontarf. Played Friday 14th February 2014. KO 7.30PM
Ballynahinch v Old Belvedere
Young Munster v Garryowen
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Ballynahinch(9th) v Old Belvedere(2nd)
Another daunting fixture for the County Down side at Ballymacarn Park. Belvedere sit joint top of Div 1A with leaders Clontarf on 40pts. Three of their team, Daniel Riordan, Dean Moore and Declan Lavery, played for the Ireland Club XV who defeated Scotland 28-3 in Cork last Friday. Hinch Captain, Stuart Morrow was also a member of the team. The ability is within the Hinch team to win this match. With six games remaining, Coaches Derek Suffern and Charlie McAleese will look to their players to upset the form book before they take on St Mary’s at home on the 1st March. Every game is a Cup Final for the Hinch players between now and the 19th April. When the two sides met In Dublin in Nov, Ballynahinch lost 30 – 26. Old Belvedere to win
Division iB
Buccaneers v Dublin Uni
Corinthians v Blackrock College
Dungannon v Shannon
Terenure College v Belfast Harlequins
UL Bohemians v Malone
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Dungannon(10) v Shannon(6th)
A must win game for the County Tyrone side this weekend. With two games in hand sixth place Shannon would still harbour promotion ambitions this season. Several of the Shannon side including Luke O’Dea, Lee Nicholas, Niall Horan, Conor Glynn and Aidan Butler were involved with the Munster A side in their weekend 15 – 13 win over Connacht Eagles at the Showgrounds last Friday. Centre Tadhg Leader was on the bench for the Connacht 1st xv at the weekend. Munster player Paddy Butler has also been playing for the Shannon side. The task confronting the Stevenson Park side will be challenging. Dungannon coach Paddy John’s will be looking to the release of Ulster players, Peter Nelson, Adam Macklin and Paul Jackson to strengthen his playing resources. Injuries and surgery will rule Chris Cochrane and Chris Farrell out for the season. Ravens centre Stuart McCloskey maybe involved with the Ulster 1st xv this weekend. The return of Ulster Raven James McMahon from injury has been timely for the Dungannon side. Injuries continue to rule out the unavailable Mark Jenkinson and Michael Dunleavy. When the two sides met in October, Shannon recorded a 17 – 6 home win. Shannon to win
Belfast Harlequins(5th) v Terenure College(1st)
A difficult trip for the Deramore side in Dublin this weekend to face the undefeated league leaders Terenure College. When the two sides met at Deramore Park in October the Dublin side left with a narrow 13 – 12 win. Injuries in the Ulster squad will potentially deprive the Belfast side of their influential second row Neil McComb. Coach Adam Larkin will be hoping that fellow Ulster players Ricky Lutton, Michael Heaney and Rory Scholes will be released this weekend. They will also be hoping that Ireland Under 20 forward Frankie Taggart will be available. Once again Captain Neil Simpson will be looking to Ulster Ravens back row forward Daniel Dass and backs Liam Cambridge and Mark Best to keep their winning run in the AIL on the back of three consecutive wins. After their surprise 18 – 7 defeat in the USL at Armagh last Friday night, the Quins side will want to bounce back with an AIL win. Terenure College to win
Malone(7th) v UL Bohemians(4th)
After their backs to the wall win over Buccaneers two weeks ago the East Belfast side will travel with confidence to Limerick to face a UL side that emphatically defeated them 31-6 at Gibson Park in October . Despite losing their USL game 14 – 3 at Ballymena coaches Jacque Benade and Gareth Fry will have been pleased by the performance of their squad players against a strong Ballymena side only missing regulars, Dave Shannahan and John Andrew. The unavailability of forwards player/coach Michael Ferguson this weekend, will be felt by this young side who are starting to show their potential. Ulster Raven Conor Joyce has been the outstanding forward for Malone in the AIL. Captain Neil Alcorn along with back row, James McAllister and hooker Daryl Maxwell have key roles to play in dominating the forward exchanges against a physical UL pack. Backs Michael Barker, Nathan Barker and Mark Gribben will have key defensive roles. UL players Kevin O’Byrne, Mike Lynch and David Johnston were involved with the Munster A team in their 15 – 13 win over Connacht Eagles last weekend. Their number 8 Jack O’Donoghue has been in outstanding form for the Ireland Under 20s during the present Six Nations campaign. UL have lost their last two All Ireland league games at Belfast Harlequins and home to Terenure College. Difficult game to call. Malone to win
Division 2A
Ballymena v Bective Rangers
Cashel v NUIM Barnhall
Galwegians v Naas
Highfield v Banbridge
Old Wesley v City of Derry
Queens Uni v Rainey
Seapoint v Rainey OB
Seapoint v Bruff
UUC v OldCrescent
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Ballymena(5th) v Bective Ranger(10th)
The Eaton Park side will look to bounce back, from back to back defeats against Cashel and City of Derry in the AIL. Coach Andy Graham was impressed by the intensity of the performance of his side in their 14 – 3 win over Malone in the USL last week. He will look for a similar performance when they entertain Dublin side Bective Rangers this weekend. Bective have only won one out of five of their last AIL games. The Ballymena side welcomed the return of fullback Timothy Small against Malone. Ulster Academy prop, Andy Warwick looks an outstanding prospect for Ballymena and Ulster with his scrumaging ability and work rate in the loose. In number seven Michael Entwhistle they have a back row forward who is very competitive at the breakdown and secures ball for his forwards. Expect the Ballymena side to return to winning ways. Ballymena to win.
Banbridge(12th) v Highfield((13th)
Another crucial game for Daniel Soper and his players. With a rearranged game at Bruff next Sat these are two fixtures the Rifle Park side will want to win as they look to push clear of the relegation zone. Cork side Highfield have strung together three wins in the AIL and surprised promotion contenders City of Derry at Judges Road when they won 17 – 14 two weeks ago. The Bann pack will have to put in another big shift if they are to build a platform for their talented backline. Expect another closely contested game. Can Ulster scrum half and Club Captain Ian Porter inspire his team to a much needed win. Highfield to win
City of Derry(4th) v Old Wesley(9th)
The North West side have slipped up in recent weeks after a 8-3 win over Ballymena. They have lost their last two AIL games against Banbridge and Highfield. A 40 – 12 win at Ards last Sat in the USL will have lifted confidence in the playing squad. Coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair know that nothing less than a win is important for their side to maintain their promotion hopes. This will be another tricky game for the Judges Road side as Queens struggled to defeat Old Wesley 18-10 at home two weeks ago. They cannot alow a 14 – 0 lead to slip as happened against Highfield where their forwards were out played. Old Wesley are a much improved side and will provide stiff opposition. Derry need to play for eighty minutes if they are to take the four points in this game. City of Derry to win
QueensUni(3rd) v Rainey OB(8th)
Ten points separate these two sides in the league. Queens won a morale boosting USL fixture at Hatrick Park last Sat 25 – 5 to give them a psychological advantage going into this match on Saturday. Rainey know with a rearranged game against Old Wesley the following weekend they have the opportunity to close the gap on the top sides if they can secure back to back wins. Rainey won their last two AIL games against Barnhall and Naas to turn around a losing run.
Queens will welcome back out half Ritchie McMaster after his winning debut for the Ireland Club xv against Scotland last weekend. Both sides are well matched up front with Queens having the cutting edge in their backs with Skipper Stuart McIIwaine , Michael McAuley, Damon Hall and Chris Colvin providing a real cutting edge to their backline. Queens to win
Division 2B
Navan v DLSP. Played Friday 14th February 2014. KO 7.30PM
Armagh v Suttonians
Boyne v Midleton
Greystones v Ards
Instonians v Tullamore
Skerries v Sundays Well
Sligo v Richmond
Thomond v Nenagh Ormond
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Armagh((4th) v Suttonians(16th)
A potential banana skin for Coach Andy Hughes and his Armagh team, playing the bottom side. Their impressive 18-7 win over the in form Belfast Harlequins last Friday night at the Palace grounds will serve notice that the Orchard County side know they cant afford any slip ups as they push for promotion with five games remaining. With Suttonians the only side in the AIL yet to win a league game the Armagh players will be looking the maximum five points. Half backs Harry Doyle and Captain Richard Reaney along with former Ulster centre Seamus Mallon have crucial roles to play on Saturday. The backs will look for their hard working forwards to build that platform for their pacey backs to score tries. One player who is catching the eye for Armagh this season has been the form of the hard running number 8 Darryl Morton who continues to pose problems for opposition defences with his line breaks. Armagh to win
Ards(11th) v Greystones(2nd)
On paper you would have to say a Greystones win. Since the turn of the year Ards have beaten promotion contenders Skerries and lost narrowly away to Richmond and Navan. Armagh have lost to Greystones, Richmond and Navan on their travels this season in the AIL. Ards will travel with a strong squad missing the unavailable Michael Creighton. The form of former Youth players Gareth McBurney in the second row and Conrad Stewart at hooker on the 1st xv will encourage other players to push for Senior places from the clubs successful Youth structure. Greystones have won their last four league games at home in the AIL. Can Ards succeed where other Ulster sides have failed. Greystones to win
Instonians(15th) v Tullamore(7th)
Alarm bells are ringing at Shawsbridge as the Instonians team play two crucial AIL games at home in successive weeks against Tullamore and DLSP. Nothing less than two wins will be required as Coach William Leacock looks to rally his players with five AIL games remaining. A rallying call has went out to the Instonians faithful to get behind the team over the next two weekends. Players such as Conor Young, Andy McKeen, Peter Stewart and Captain Paddy Marks will have to lead from the front as the team fight to retain their Senior status. Several defeats have been by narrow margins in the AIL. A repeat of the performance against Ards in the AIL would ease their relegation worries. Instonians to win.
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