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ULSTER
RUGBY
ULSTER BANK
LEAGUE
LOCALS SIDES READY FOR ASSAULT
ON ULSTER BANK LEAGUE
Ballynahinch coach Derek Suffern will have
been pleased with his side’s run-in last season
which saw them avoid relegation from Division
1A courtesy of a play off win. After a year in the
top flight, the County Down club will now be
hoping they can push on to battle for a place in
the top half of the table. ‘Hinch face a difficult
start to the campaign though, travelling to
Terenure College tomorrow before hosting Old
Belvedere next week.
With Ireland Club International Stuart Morrow
unavailable this season, Harry McAleese
has been installed as new club captain.
Richard Reaney (Armagh), Chris Quinn (Cork
Constitution), Stephen McCauley (Buccaneers)
and Kenny Morton (Ophir) are among the
new players to arrive at Ballymacarn Park,
along with a host of talented young Academy
players.
Malone also relied on a late rally to avoid the
drop from Division 1B last season, winning
their last two games. The Cregagh Road side
have recruited heavily again this season, with
David Creighton returning to the club from
Cooke to assume the role of player / backs
coach. The availability of Ulster players Conor
Joyce and Alan O’Connor will be key to their
hopes, while they will also be heavily reliant
on impressive loose forward Neill Alcorn.
James McKinney departing for Rotherham
is a blow but Jacques Benade should
have enough cover with the talented John
Creighton and new signing Josh Bingham both
excellent options in the 10 jersey. They start
their campaign with a home game against
Buccaneers at Gibson Park tomorrow.
Belfast Harlequins coach Adam Larkin will
largely draw on the same players that served
him well last season. The Deramore Park outfit
finished 6th in the table last time out but it was
enough for them to be Ulster’s leading team in
the division. They must travel to UL Bohemians
this weekend before entertaining Ballymena
next week in what will be a must-watch game.
Andy Graham had an excellent first season at
the helm of Ballymena, helping the Braidmen
return to Division 1B with a second place finish
in 2A. They have recruited well in key positions,
adding back row Stephen Mulholland
from Rainey Old Boys, outhalf Ritchie
McMaster from Queen’s and utility back Rob
Haldane from Malone. They will however be
disappointed to lose Adrian Hamilton, last
year’s Ulster Club Player of the Year, who has
moved across the water to take up a university
place. Corinthians travel north to Eaton Park
for the season opener tomorrow.
The action in Division 2 will start next weekend
with Banbridge, City of Derry, Dungannon,
Queen’s University, and Rainey competing in
2A, while Ards and Armagh will operate in 2B.
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The Ulster Bank League kicks off this weekend in Divisions 1A
and 1B and there is added incentive for the players in the top
flight with the return of a final to be played at the Aviva Stadium.
UlsterBranch
Photo : Press Eye
