Rugby

Ulster sides chasing All-Ireland League victories

Chris Henry is preparing for his first league game in charge of Malone
Chris Henry is preparing for his first league game in charge of Malone Chris Henry is preparing for his first league game in charge of Malone

A NUMBER of Ulster teams will be chasing points in the Energia All-Ireland League tomorrow. All kick-offs at 2.30pm.

DIVISION 1A:

BALLYNAHINCH v TERENURE COLLEGE, Ballymacarn Park

Ballynahinch's early season results have been up and down, their qualification for the Ulster Senior Cup semi-finals blotted by a trio of Ulster Rugby Premiership defeats. The latest one saw them lose 34-28 last Saturday to Banbridge, despite an improved second half performance.

Former Ulster Academy player Sean O'Hagan, one of 'Hinch's new recruits, is in the out-half hot seat, and Brian McLaughlin will be looking for a steady start on the Co Down club's return to the top flight - particularly with some of their Ulster contingent required for Celtic Cup duty.

Sean Skehan's new coaching tenure at Terenure received an early boost with last week's Leinster Senior League title win - the three O'Neill brothers, Kevin, Stephen and Mark, still very much to the fore. Having fought back brilliantly to avoid relegation last season, it will be interesting to see where 'Nure fit in the 2019/20 pecking order.

DIVISION 1B:

CITY OF ARMAGH v NAAS, Palace Grounds

City of Armagh were left with plenty of 'learnings' after their debut season in Division 1B. Their ambitions were set far higher than an eighth-place finish, but just two more wins – one with a bonus point – would have put them in the promotion play-offs.

Armagh boss Willie Faloon reckons the division is even stronger this year, while his settled squad is “a year older, more experienced and just as ambitious'.” The same high hopes reside at Forenaughts where Naas are aiming for their third top-four finish in four years.

After the Johne Murphy era ended in play-off heartbreak, South African duo Dan van Zyl and Johan Taylor now head up the Naas coaching ticket. Player-coach Ben Swindlehurst has responsibility for the backs and skills. The Cobras will feel they owe Armagh one after a loss and a draw last term.

HIGHFIELD v MALONE, Woodleigh Park

A bumper home crowd is ensured for Highfield's long-awaited Division 1B debut, with three Cork clubs now in the top two tiers. Their player-coach, former Munster prop Tim Ryan, packs down again at tighthead with largely the same set of forwards from last year's title-winning campaign.

Another former professional player, Ulster and Ireland back rower Chris Henry, is looking forward to his first league game in charge of Malone. His maiden selection includes outside centre David Busby, who left Ulster at the end of last season, and promising young hooker Claytan Milligan.

Determined to make a significant impact on the division, Highfield captain Fintan O'Sullivan said: "We're not really used to just being mid-table. We're kinda thinking top-four, minimum. I know a lot of people don't back us, but we always back ourselves. Everyone keeps telling us that it's a big step and all this crack, but I think we're ready for it."

OLD WESLEY v BANBRIDGE, Energia Park

Promotion was agonisingly out of reach last season for Old Wesley, who finished only three points behind champions Ballynahinch and lost the play-off final to UCC. So, Morgan Lennon's men will certainly not be lacking motivation on their return to league action.

Wesley's newly-appointed captain Iain McGann feels they are well placed to contend again, saying: "During the second half of last season we felt we finally clicked as a team. We're hoping to begin this season with the same form that we finished last season with."

Mark McDowell has moved across from local rivals Ballynahinch to take over as Banbridge head coach. They were impressive 34-28 bonus point winners at 'Hinch in the Ulster Rugby Premiership last Saturday and will field an unchanged team, which includes the experienced centre pairing of Andrew Morrison and Jonny Little.