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Let’s tip our hats to Banbridge and City of Derry. They have continued their
impressive All Ireland League campaigns into 2016 and are in strong positions to
push on for promotion.
Banbridge’s recent home win over UCC saw them
open up a six point gap at the top of Ulster Bank
Division 2A. Daniel Soper has his side showing
some consistent form and playing an attractive
brand of rugby, which will hopefully continue
through the six remaining games. The Rifle Park
men have worked hard in recent years to build
their squad and it is great to see their youth section
producing talent now playing at senior level. It
reflects the hard work put in by many volunteers
and it is good to see it being rewarded. Of course
the club has added another feather to its cap with
this week’s confirmation that member, Rory Best, is
the new captain of Ulster ahead of the forthcoming
RBS Six Nations Championship.
Rory is a stalwart of the club and recently, while
there with my own son playing mini rugby, Rory
along with brother, Simon, were standing in the
heavy rain watching their own sons playing. Rory
had just played for Ulster the previous evening. It
takes a special person to lead Ireland, but Rory
Best has many qualities, some of them unseen and
unheard! I am sure everyone will wish him and the
Ireland team all the best as they bid to win a third
straight Six Nations title.
Staying in Division 2A, Malone just cannot seem
to get a decent run going, but they remain in
the chase for the playoffs (for teams finishing
second, third and fourth). Queen’s also have
lacked consistency and back-to-back defeats by
Banbridge pre-Christmas knocked them back a
little, although they two can still make a serious
push for the promotion play-offs.
Moving to the other side of the Province and to the
North West where City of Derry, like Banbridge, are
flying their flag strongly in Ulster Bank Division 2B.
Coach Terry McMaster has his charges fired up to
achieve success this season, clearly signalled by
the heavy defeat they inflicted on Highfield in their
recent game at Judges Road. That win has seen
Derry stay in top spot and move 13 points clear! It
can be easy to get complacent in such a position,
but McMaster will be taking no nonsense from his
troops and they are firm favourites to secure the
automatic promotion place. Armagh’s see-saw
season has seen them balancing between the top
and bottom half of the table, but Brian McLaughlin
and Alex McCloy will be determined for a strong
final run-in that could push the Orchard County
(continued overleaf)
DOMESTIC RUGBY UPDATE
DOMESTIC RUGBY UPDATE
ARTICLE BY RICHARD MULLIGAN
SPORTS EDITOR & RUGBY
CORRESPONDENT, NEWS LETTER
@R_MULLIGAN1