Ulster Bank League
DIVISION 1A:
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated.
UCD (5th) v Terenure College (9th), Belfield Bowl
UCD have really benefited from the absence of Leinster ‘A’ from the British & Irish Cup’s knockout stages, with the likes of Peadar Timmins, Andrew Porter and Nick McCarthy aiding their end-of-season push.
The students have nine points to make up on fourth-placed Young Munster with three rounds remaining, but they have some decent momentum. Captain Jamie Glynn and Andy Marks bagged their fifth tries of the campaign in the bonus point win at St. Mary’s two weeks ago.
Terenure’s recent 24-20 victory over Old Belvedere has given them a real chance of climbing out of the bottom two. Number 8 Eoin Joyce has emerged as a regular try scorer, touching down three times in the last five rounds.
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form:
UCD: LWLLLWLWLWWLLWW; Terenure College: LLWLLLLLLWWWLLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - UCD: Points: Matthew Gilsenan 49; Tries: Tom Fletcher 6; Terenure College: Points: Jake Swaine 75; Tries: Marc Hiney, Eoin Joyce 4 each
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Clontarf (2nd) v Young Munster (4th), Castle Avenue
Clontarf are ominously hitting their straps as the play-offs come into view. 29 second half points saw the north Dubliners sweep Garryowen aside and move into second place in the table.
The team they replaced, Young Munster, are their visitors in round 16. The Cookies slid from second to fourth on the back of a 15-12 defeat to Dublin University and are struggling for form at the wrong time of the season.
Defending champions ‘Tarf will have revenge on their minds after losing 20-18 at Greenfields in October. Out-halves David Joyce and Alan Tynan could be called upon to decide what is expected to be a tight contest.
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form:
Clontarf: WLLWLLLWWWLWWWW; Young Munster: LWWLWWWLLWWLWLL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Clontarf: Points: Rob Keogh 97; Tries: Matt D’Arcy 8; Young Munster: Points: Alan Tynan 73; Tries: Cian Bohane, Rob Guerin 5 each
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Cork Constitution (3rd) v Garryowen (8th), Temple Hill
A Munster derby with consequences at both ends of the table. Three successive victories have Cork Constitution in third overall and pressing for a home semi-final berth.
Five losses in six games have plunged Garryowen into relegation trouble, their second half collapse at home to Clontarf being particularly worrying. They will need a big performance from their pack tomorrow.
Constitution’s excellent defensive stand late on against Lansdowne showed how hard they are to break down, and you would have to back them to reverse October’s 16-13 defeat to the Light Blues.
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form:
Cork Constitution: WLLWWWWWWLWLWWW; Garryowen: LWWLLLWWWLLLWLL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Cork Constitution: Points: Tomas Quinlan 146; Tries: Shane Daly 5; Garryowen: Points: Neil Cronin 116; Tries: Liam Coombes 4
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Dublin University (6th) v St Mary’s College (7th), College Park
Sixth-placed Dublin University come into this game on a real high after winning away to Young Munster, beating Oxford University 31-20 in a challenge match and having three representatives in the Ireland Club International squad.
Their latest opponents, St. Mary’s, had some bad luck in their recent 32-18 loss to UCD. Despite a try-scoring man-of-the-match performance from loosehead Tom O’Reilly, they really missed the influence of out-half Dave Fanagan who went off injured early on.
Trinity director of rugby Tony Smeeth said: “We’ve had a tremendous rivalry with St. Mary’s over the past two seasons, with both of us winning close games. If they are all fit to play, Mary’s could field as many as an incredible seven ex-Trinity players including our last two captains in Nick McCarthy and Paddy Lavelle.
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form:
Dublin University: WLWWWLWLLLLWLWW; St. Mary’s College: LWLWWLLLLWLWLWL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Dublin University: Points: Jack McDermott 91; Tries: Colm Hogan 6; St. Mary’s College: Points: Sean Kearns 47; Tries: David Fanagan 5
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Old Belvedere (10th) v Landsdowne (1st), Anglesea Road
The chasing pack have been chipping away at Lansdowne’s lead and now it stands at just four points. So, Mike Ruddock will be demanding a big response here after back-to-back defeats.
The headquarters club, for whom Scott Deasy remains the division’s top scorer (155 points), also lost 16-13 to Old Belvedere in late September, with Deasy’s opposite number Willie Staunton kicking 11 points that night.
‘Belvo are in serious relegation trouble now, however, and with their scrum looking vulnerable against Terenure a fortnight ago, Lansdowne’s pack are poised to take advantage and get the leaders back on track.
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form:
Old Belvedere: WLWWWLLLWLLLLLL; Lansdowne: WWLLWWWWWLWWWLL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Old Belvedere: Points: Willie Staunton 79; Tries: Shane McDonald, Daniel Riordan 4 each; Lansdowne: Points: Scott Deasy 155; Tries: Daniel McEvoy 10
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DIVISION 1B:
Ballymena (6th) v UCC (5th), Eaton Park
Brimming with confidence after defeating league leaders Buccaneers, UCC make the trip north as they chase a season’s double over fellow mid-table side Ballymena.
It is Cork opposition again for the Braidmen who were pipped 18-16 at Dolphin last time out. Although it was a chastening result, the performance of debutant scrum half Chris Smyth was a real positive.
Captain Martin Irwin heads Ballymena’s list of absentees this week, although Ulster backs David Shanahan and Mark Best are both available. With his 13-point haul against Buccs, UCC’s goal-kicking winger Kevin O’Keeffe is now the division’s leading scorer (133 points).
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form:
Ballymena: WWLWLLWWLDLWLLL; UCC: LLWLWLWLLLWWWLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Ballymena: Points: Ritchie McMaster 59; Tries: Rodger McBurney, Mark Best, James Beattie 4 each; UCC: Points: Kevin O’Keeffe 133; Tries: Conor Barry 5
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Buccaneers (1st) v Naas (3rd), Dubarry Park
Leading by 13 points at the top of the table, Buccaneers are determined to grasp this opportunity to clinch the Division 1B title and promotion in front of their home fans.
The well-drilled Pirates were stung by UCC last time out, but the return of top scorer Alan Gaughan – depending on his fitness – would certainly help provide improved direction from half-back.
It has been a brilliant campaign for Johne Murphy’s Naas as they chase back-to-back promotions. They are right in the mix for the play-offs, lying third with a game in hand. Versatile back Peter Osborne, who was part of the Ireland Club International squad last week, has excelled with 121 points so far.
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form:
Buccaneers: LWWWWWWWWDWWWWL; Naas: WLLWWWLWLWWWLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Buccaneers: Points: Alan Gaughan 121; Tries: Jordan Conroy 14; Naas: Points: Peter Osborne 121; Tries: Fionn Carr 6
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Galwegians (9th) v Dolphin (10th), Crowley Park
Undoubtedly the match of the day in the second tier, given what is riding on the result. A home win would push Galwegians at least seven points clear of Dolphin and almost certainly relegate the Corkmen.
However, Dolphin have dug out big results recently at home to Shannon and Ballymena, the latter game seeing league veteran Barry Keeshan boot two drop goals. The key now is can they do it on the road?
Galwegians have been leaving wins behind them, and fell agonisingly short away to UL Bohemians in the last round. It is time for their back-line, which has included Connacht’s Rory Parata and Darragh Leader of late, to cause some damage.
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form:
Galwegians: LWLLLLLLWLLLWDL; Dolphin: LLWLLLWWLLLLWLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Galwegians: Points: Aidan Moynihan 58; Tries: Cormac Brennan, Aidan Moynihan 6 each; Dolphin: Points: Barry Keeshan 69; Tries: Ryan Murphy 6
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Old Wesley (4th) v UL Bohemians (2nd), Donnybrook
With Buccs on the cusp of being crowned champions, this game might just be about deciding the top four’s finishing order. Second-placed UL Bohemians are currently four points ahead of Old Wesley in fourth.
Both sides will give the promotion play-offs a good rattle next month. Wesley are unbeaten in three matches, aided by centre David Poff’s four-try contribution, while UL’s in-form number 13 Harry Fleming is gunning for his fourth try in as many games.
The Red Robins had the edge when they hosted the Dubliners back in October, two late first half tries from Jamie McNamara and Rick McKenna sending them on their way to a 29-21 bonus point victory.
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form:
Old Wesley: WWLWWWLDWLLLWDW; UL Bohemians: WWWWWLWLWWLLLWW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Old Wesley: Points: Barry McLaughlin 117; Tries: Ger Finucane, Paul Harte, David Poff 4 each; UL Bohemians: Points: Rick McKenna 103; Tries: Finbar Aherne, Harry Fleming 6 each
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Shannon (8th) v Ballynahinch (7th), Thomond Park back pitch
Shannon entertain Ballynahinch, the team directly above them in the standings. A win is vital for both as they look to draw away from the relegation play-off spot currently occupied by Galwegians.
It has been a bad spell for ‘Hinch with three losses in a row. Three of their remaining four games are away, although the availability of Ulster players John Donnan, Aaron Cairns, David Busby and Craig Trenier should aid their mission in Limerick.
Shannon showed huge grit in picking up a losing bonus point at high-flying Naas, with player-coach Tom Hayes and Australian recruit Riley Winter combining again to great effect in the engine room. More of the same will be needed tomorrow.
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form:
Shannon: LLLLLWLDLWWWLWL; Ballynahinch: WLWLLWLLWWWLLL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Shannon: Points: Ronan McKenna 57; Tries: Niall Mulcahy 4; Ballynahinch: Points: Chris Quinn 49; Tries: Jordan Grattan 5
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Division 2A
Blackrock College v Banbridge
Stanbrook — 2.30pm, Saturday
Galway Corinthians v Cashel
Corinthian Park— 2.30pm, Saturday
Malone v Queens University
Gibson Park — 2.30pm, Saturday
Nenagh Ormond v Highfield
New Ormond Park— 2.30pm, Saturday
Sunday’s Well v Belfast Harlequins
Irish Independent Park — 2.30pm, Saturday
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Division 2B
Skerries v MU Barnhall
Holmpatrick — 7.30pm, Friday
Armagh v Dungannon
Palace Grounds — 2.30pm, Saturday
Greystones v Bective Rangers
Dr Hickey Park — 2.30pm, Saturday
Thomond v City Of Derry
Liam Fitzgerald Park — 2.30pm, Saturday
Wanderers v Old Crescent
Aviva Stadium — 2.30pm, Saturday
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Division 2C
Tullamore v Navan
Spollanstown — 7.30pm, Friday
Boyne v Bangor
Shamrock Lodge — 2.30pm, Saturday
Bruff v Seapoint
Kilballyowen Park — 2.30pm, Saturday
Kanturk v Sligo
Knocknacolon — 2.30pm, Saturday
Rainey v Midleton
Hatrick Park — 2.30pm, Saturday
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