Powerade Towns Cup second round
Armagh seconds v Bangor
With Armagh firsts involved in a AIL game at home to Sundays Well, Bangor will be favourites to win this Cup tie. This is a big two weeks for Bangor as they visit County Armagh in consecutive weekends for this Cup tie and Chambers Park, Portadown for their All Ireland Junior Cup final against Dundalk on the 31st January. The Towns Cup is a priority for the North Down team. Hooker Mark Crockfield returns from injury and will be looking to secure a place in the Cup final squad. Armagh seconds surprised Junior Cup finalists Omagh by defeating them 16 – 12 in the first round. Can we expect another upset at the Palace grounds.
Larne v Ballymena seconds
Is their the potential for a real upset at the Glynn on Sat. Ballymena 1st xv have no match on Sat. This will enable Ballymena seconds to field their strongest starting xv. Larne remain top of Q 3 in their quest for promotion this season and have reached the knock out stages of the Gordon West Cup. In the first round Larne came back from a 15 – 3 deficit at HT to defeat Lurgan 22 – 20 at Pollack Park. Larne Captain Ryan Garrett knows it is a big day for Larne on Sat as it has been quite a few years since they have been drawn against local rivals Ballymena. He went on to say, “It is going to be a tough test, but everyone is looking forward to it. Hopefully a big crowd will be out to support the underdogs and who knows, maybe an upset on the cards”. Ballymena seconds have had an indifferent season in the second xv league winning 4/ losing 6. They did reach the quarter finals of the Junior Cup before losing to Enniskillen. Sure to attract a large crowd.
Enniskillen v Ards seconds
On paper you can see only one winner from this match. Skins are going well in the league with ambitions to finish in the top three. They have assembled a strong playing squad that should see them return to Q 1. They did reach the semi finals of the Junior Cup only to lose to eventual winners Instonians. The timely return of the talented Chris McVitty, has added options to the backline for Head coach Norman Richmond. Injuries have ruled out backs James Ferguson and Ashley Finlay. Chris McVitty starts at full back with Nick Finlay returning at out half. Nathan Richmond takes his place in the centre with Ricky Lee in for Jack Harte in the back row. Ards seconds have no wins from twelve matches played in the second xv league. They did run Carrickfergus close at Hamilton Park before losing 12 – 10 in the Junior Cup.
Portadown v Dromore
Probably the tie of the round at Chambers Park. Both sides are level on points in Q 1 as they fight it out to secure that all important top four finish to qualify for the All Ireland Junior Cup. Portadown coach Richard Hedley is looking to bring some silverware to the club this season. He acknowledges it has been a difficult run of late in the league. “Saturday will be another hard match as they lost at their place early in the season”. When the two sides met at Barben Hill in November Dromore ran out winners by 11 – 6. The coach is delighted to welcome back forwards Peter Lamb, Mark Henderson and Gareth McCoy this weekend. Dromore are at full strength with forward Robert Greer available after being injured in the Cooke match after Xmas with Ryan Kerr dropping to the bench. Both sides scored forty points each in their wins over Limavady and Rainey seconds in the 1st round. Another contest that is sure to attract a large crowd.
Donaghadee v Holywood
When these two sides met at Donaldson Park in the Junior Cup in September. The Dee ran out comfortable winners 50 – 5. Last seasons finalists have injury and unavailabilities this week to contend with before Player coach Paul McKenzie can select his starting xv. Holywood have not played since they surprised visitors Lisburn in winning 27 – 8 at Kerr Park in the first round of the Towns Cup. Player unavailability has forced coach Laurence Kelly to look to his second xv for this Cup match. He will rely on Captain Rory Eves and Andrew Davidson to give his side a chance in this Cup tie. Both sides are bottom of Q 1 and Q 2 with the Dee winning two out of twelve league games. Holywood’s record is no wins from eight with only one draw to show for their efforts this season.
Carrickfergus v City of Derry seconds
With City of Derry firsts playing in the AIL this weekend, Carrick have to be the firm favourites to win this cup tie. This is Carricks 150th anniversary year. They want to cap it with a Cup final appearance at the Kingspan stadium on Easter Monday. Head coach Warren McLean has a full strength squad available for this match.
Banbridge seconds v Ballynahinchs seconds
With Bann 1sts playing at home in the AIL; Hinch seconds with their great Cup tradition have to be firm favourites to win this local derby. Bann seconds have played fifteen games in the second xv league, winning eight/ losing seven. Hinch seconds have played ten – winning nine and losing one.
Clogher Valley v Coleraine
Coleraine have disappointed this season in Q 2 after being relegated from Q 1 last season. Their promotion ambitions have been dashed after losing 17 – 15 at Randalstown last Sat with Omagh now clear favourites. They face a difficult trip to the Cran to play current Towns Cup holders Clogher Valley. Rarely does a season go by without the Fivemiletown side winning a piece of silverware. After missing out on the All Ireland Junior Cup and looking likely to finish runners up to Instonians in Q 1 . The Towns Cup is the only piece of silverware left for them to pursue this season. They welcome back scrum half and captain Aaron Best on the back of several league wins. There can only be one winner on Sat.
Fixtures. Sat 24.1.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Portadown v Dromore
Donaghadee v Holywood
Carrickfergus v City of Derry seconds
Banbridge seconds v Ballynahinch seconds
Armagh seconds v Bangor
larne v Ballymena seconds
Enniskillen v Ards seconds
Clogher Valley v Coleraine
