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11
ULSTER
RUGBY
UlsterBranch
CLUB RUGBY
FIRST TRUST SENIOR CUP
Earlier this month, Ballynahinch won the
Kingspan Stadium decider 17-10 to secure their
second ever Senior Cup title and make it a 7th
straight final defeat in the competition for Malone.
The Cregagh Red Sox went 0-10 up thanks to
an early Josh Pentland penalty and a converted
try by Jack McMurtry. But ‘Hinch hit back with
17 unanswered points, including tries from wing
Stephen McAuley, First Trust Man of the Match
Michael Graham and centre Richard Reaney.
The Ballymacarn Park had a tough route to
the final as well, requiring late scores to defeat
Armagh (17-16) and City of Derry (19-14) in their
quarter final and semi final respectively.
‘Hinch will now proceed to take on Connacht side
Buccaneers in the last four of the All Ireland Cup.
MILLARMCCALL WYLIE JUNIOR CUP
Instonians put in a clinical performance to register
a 13-0 final win over an Omagh side which
dominated the majority of the match. The Shaw’s
Bridge club were awarded a second half penalty
try and outhalf Fraser Wright kicked the rest of the
points on a wet night at Kingspan Stadium.
ALL IRELAND JUNIOR CUP
It has been a superb season for Ulster clubs in
the All Ireland Junior Cup to date. Ulster had three
semi finalists, with Bangor edging Clogher Valley
9-6 to book a place in the final in the New Year. At
the time of writing CIYMS had drawn 25-25 with
Dundalk in the other last four clash and faced a
replay with the Leinster side.
ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE
City of Derry lead the way in the Ulster League,
with ‘Hinch and Malone trailing three points
behind. Both those sides have at least one game
in hand though so it promises to be a closely
fought contest to the end.
ALL IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
‘Hinch have had a much improved campaign to
date this season after requiring a play-off win last
season to avoid relegation. The County Down
men currently sit in a congested mid section
of the table, with more than half of their games
played.
ALL IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1B
Ballymena are in with a shout of promotion as just
they trail Galwegians at the summit. Malone who
have had a mixed start to their campaign lie in
mid table, while Belfast Harlequins are struggling
for form and are in danger of relegation.
ALL IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2A
Queen’s University provide Ulster’s best chance
of promotion as they occupy a top four spot.
Banbridge, Rainey and City of Derry will all be
hoping for top half finishes, while Dungannon will
hope their improved form of late will see them
move up from the lower end of the table.
ALL IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
The two Ulster teams in Division 2 have enjoyed
mixed starts - Armagh are progressing well and
are just off the pace at the top, while Ards are
rooted to the bottom of the table.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
Instonians sit top of the pile and will carry great
momentum into 2015. Clogher Valley, Portadown,
Bangor, Ballyclare and Dromore look set to
compete for places in next season’s All Ireland
Junior Cup. Ballymoney are in danger of dropping
to Q2.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Omagh are probably favourites for promotion
after just missing out to Ballyclare last year.
Carrickfergus, Coleraine and Academy will be
their main challengers, while UUC and Holywood
have struggled so far.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Larne are the team to beat in Q3 and Donegal
Town look almost certain to go down.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4
Belfast High School Former Pupils are cruising at
the top of the table, while Cavan and Londonderry
YM continue to battle it out at the bottom.
CLUB RUGBY: THE SEASON SO FAR