What a festival of club rugby we had over the weekend. There was plenty of drama in all five divisions of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League on Saturday with promotion/relegation/ playoffs to be decided on the final weekend of the regular season.

We have to congratulate Banbridge Head coach Daniel Soper and his assistants Simon Best and Simon McKinstry on the promotion of Banbridge 1st xv from Div 2A to Section 1B where they will join fellow Ulster teams Ballynahinch and Ballymena. Can Malone make it four teams by progressing through the playoffs.

Both Ballynahinch and Ballymena retained their place in Div 1B with Josh McIIroy kicking a late penalty to see Ballymena home by 13 – 10 against Limerick visitors Shannon. Shannon avoided finishing in 9th place by one point from Dolphin.

With the top four teams all winning in Div 2A Malone have the difficult task off travelling to Cork once again, their third visit to Munster in four weeks to play an inform Dolphin team who have won 5/6 of their last UBL including wins over top four sides Old Wesley and UL Bohemians.

Perhaps the most pleasing performance of the day was by relegated Ulster side Belfast Harlequins. The Deramore side travelled to 3rd place Nenagh Ormond and went down to a late score to lose 42 – 38. Belfast Harlequins scored six tries through Mark Glover (3), Ian Anderson(2) and Neil Montgomery (1). Head coach Andrew Gillespie was delighted with the performance to end what has been a disappointing season as Quins were relegated for the 2nd successive season.

In Div 2B Armagh narrowly missed out on the automatic promotion place by losing out to winners Greystone by one point. At the bottom end of the table, City of Derry despite losing 19 -14 at Skerries finished in 8th place one point ahead of 9th place Bective.

In Div 2C Rainey continued their good form by defeating Bangor 49 – 0 at Hatrick Park. At the bottom end of the Division Kanturk lost out narrowly to Leinster side Boyne in the battle to avoid finishing in 10th place. Boyne by finishing in 9th place will play the runners up in the Round Robin tournament to decide who plays in Div 2C next season.

In the Ulster Rugby Championship we had two playoff matches involving teams in Div1/2/3.

At Barban Hill Dromore defeated CIYMS 10 – 9 to retain their place in Div 1 next season. Second Row Stuart Russell scored the all important try with scrum half Lee Steenson kicking one conversion and one penalty. Relief for Dromore Head coach Jonny Cullen and disappointment for CIYMS coach Gareth Fry.

In the Div 2/3 playoff the PSNI won a high scoring game at UUC 40 -35 to secure promotion to Div 2 with the student side dropping down to Div 3 after securing promotion last season.

The action moved to the Kingspan stadium on Easter Monday with Malone seconds holding off a late Cooke challenge to win the McCrea Cup 26 – 20. Malone had built up a commanding 26 – 6 lead through tries from winger Jack McMurtry and number 8 Richard Millar with full back Rory Campbell kicking four penalties and two conversions. Cooke scores came through their number 8 Toby Mannus and full back Alex Gourlay with Alan Gourlay converting two and kicking two penalties.

In the Towns Cup Final we had one of the best Junior Domestic finals to be staged at the Kingspan stadium involving favourites Ballynahinch seconds against Enniskillen. Twice Enniskillen led only for late tries scored through Conor Phillips and match winner Chris Orr to deny the Fermanagh side the win. Prolific goal kicking Hinch replacement Chris Quinn came off the bench to kick two crucial conversions to add to an early penalty from Paddy Wright to enable Ballynahinch seconds to complete the clean sweep of Junior Cup/Towns Cup/ Conference league Div 1 and 2nd xv league titles this season.

Scorers for Enniskillen in the narrow 17 -13 defeat were their star winger Robert Balacoune with a try converted by out half Adam Lendrum who also kicked two penalties. Heartbreak for Skins Head coach Willy Gibson and his players. Enniskillen came up against an Ballynahinch squad that had all had played in the All Ireland League this season for the clubs 1st xv. The performance by Enniskillen has set the bar for the teams in Div 1 next season.

Easter Monday was not all about the finals at the Kingspan stadium, we had Instonians hosting the 37th year of their Under 20 tournament at Shaws bridge with eight teams competing for the ‘The Goldsborough trophy’. Winners were Ballymena who defeated CIYMS in the final.
Teams involved: Instonians,Queens, Queens Uni, Belfast Met, Ards/Dromore, Ballymena, CIYMS, Armagh and Belfast Harlequins.

Coleraine RFC hosted a new under 20 tournament on Easter Monday in partnership with Ulster Rugby. The objective being to help young players to transition into Adult rugby in Ulster. Six teams from the North region including Coleraine, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Rainey OB, Limavady and City of Derry taking part. Ulster Rugby’s Coach Development Officer and Regional Lead Officer Ricky Huey along with his colleague Shaun Bloomfield had been instrumental in encouraging clubs to participate in the tournament with 180 players involved.

Coleraine defeated Limavady in the final with Coleraine Head coach Richard Boyd assisting the host clubs under 20 coaches Chris Nash, Brian Hughes and Gordon Allen at training sessions. He sees the under 20s as a vital cog in the development of the clubs senior squads. Coleraine rugby can only get better and he would urge any young players be they school leavers or players from the Gaelic sports including soccer to come along to their nearest club and give under 20 rugby a try.

Hopefully these tournaments will lead to the development of Under 20 rugby in Ulster. There is a vacuum in the transition from Schools/Youth rugby into the adult game in the province. It is disappointing to note that no Ulster under 20 teams take part in the All Ireland ‘Fraser McMullan Cup’ each season. Hopefully it will not be too long before Ulster teams return to compete in this competition.

Talking to Richard Boyd he is looking forward to his first Junior Inter Pro as Head coach when Ulster welcome Munster to Randalstown RFC on Saturday the 29th April. Details of fixtures are available on the IRFU website. Go to Provinces and scroll down to Junior Inter Pro fixtures. You will note on the website they have Newry RFC as the venue for the Ulster game against Munster. This venue has been switched to Randalstown RFC. The Ulster coach along with his assistants Michael Ferguson and Robert Ford have cast the net wide in assembling an exciting squad that has been involved in several weeks of training in preparation for their first game.

Omagh RFC complete their Round Robin Tournament fixtures this weekend. After losing their opening game against Malahide, Omagh travelled to Connacht and defeated Ballina 17 – 7. This weekend the match between Omagh and Clonmel will decide 2nd place behind winners Malahide who have secured their place in the UBL next season. The winner of the Omagh v Clonmel game will travel to play Boyne away on Sat 29th April for a place in Div 2C of the UBL next season.

Armagh seconds finished 2nd in the 2nd xv league behind winners Ballynahinch seconds after defeating Banbridge seconds 73 – 0 last Saturday. Both these teams will play in Div 1 of the Conference league next season.

The Final of the Nutty Krust Under 18 Cup between Dungannon and Armagh will take place at Chambers Park (Portadown RFC) next Wednesday the 26th April with a 8PM Kick off.

Already we are witnessing the annual movements that take place in clubs in preparation for next season involving coaches and players. After 11 successful seasons at Ballynahinch Rugby club Head coach Derek Suffern has stood down with former Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin taking on the post of Rugby Consultant at the Club.

Clubs are always keen to have coaching teams in place as they look to strengthen their playing squads. The goal for the Ulster Branch is to encourage more volunteers to get involved and support their local rugby clubs to sustain their future.

What I witnessed at the Kingspan stadium on Easter Monday was how support continues to grow for the Domestic club game in Ulster. It was also noticeable how Ulster Rugby Chief Executive Shane Logan was caught up in the atmosphere and emotion of the finals. With Enniskillen rugby club able to fill several coaches full of supporters we can see how communities are getting behind their teams.

Just an observation from the Final arrangements for supporters on Easter Monday at the Kingspan.

There was an opportunity missed by Ulster Rugby to advertise and make supporters aware that the Ulster Rugby Shop was open.. With the barrier arrangements in the carpark you would not have been aware that the shop was open. Is there not an argument that Ulster rugby should consider placing a ticket booth at the Mount Merrion entrance that would remove the need for barriers to be put up in the car park. Is it necessary for supporters to park and walk out into Onslow to re enter the ground. Maybe an area Ulster Rugby could revisit.

Clubs know they have to have the playing structures in place with fully qualified coaches in place to support the Mini/Youth and Adult teams within their clubs. Are we the clubs along with the Ulster Branch doing enough in this area. I know there is always room for improvement. We can see how standards are improving within the clubs and how competitive our leagues are becoming particularly at Ulster Rugby Championship level. There are Regions within the province where all the rugby interests need to be brought together to put in place playing structures to reverse the decline in participation numbers.. It should not about them and us in clubs. It is about clubs working together to promote and sustain the long term future of the domestic game.

We await the decision from the IRFU Clubs Committee on the long term future of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League. Can we sustain 50 teams in five Divisions.

Another key role for clubs is to embrace and use websites along with social media to promote their clubs. I still hear the term ‘it is a need to know basis’. Social media is the forum we use in the 21st century to engage with the wider public. Is there room for clubs to engage with other organisations in the wider community to promote their sporting activities and facilities.

For the information of all clubs. Next week will be my last preview of the season. If there is anything you want published please e mail me.

ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

DIV 1A SEMI FINALS: Kick offs 2.30PM unless otherwise stated.
Clontarf v Young Munster. Played Castle Avenue. Referee Gary Conway
Lansdowne v Cork Constitution. Played Aviva Stadium. Referee Stuart Gaffikin

DIV 1A / 1B
Garryowen v Old Wesley. Played Dooradoyle. Referee Kieran Barry
Naas v UL Bohemians. Played Forenaughts. Referee Frank Murphy

DIV 1B / 2A
Highfield v Nenagh Ormond. Played Woodleigh Park. Referee Jonny Erskine. Kick off 1.30PM
Dolphin v Malone. Played Irish Independent Park. Referee Joy Neville

Malone v Dolphin
Head coach Paddy Armstrong was delighted to see the club 2nd xv winning the McCrea Cup on Easter Monday with the clubs 3rd and 4th xv having successful seasons in their leagues.

Dolphin at Irish Independent Park will be a very big challenge for his team with the players very positive in training and looking forward to the challenge. The coach welcomes back Jack Owens with the squad to be finalised on Thursday night. He is delighted to see Josh Ferguson returning to training after a long absence through injury.

Malone have taken 12/15 points in their last three matches scoring 15 tries. The backline of Shane Kelly, Callum Smith, Michael Cartmill, Mark McCrea, Nathan Brown, Mark O’Connor, Jack Owens and Andy Bryans will not fear their more illustrious opponents who have won 5/6 games with their only defeat coming against league winners Buccaneers.

Captain Neil Alcorn and his forwards have been solid and industrious in their performances against the stronger teams. Their goal will be to provide plenty of ball for the talented and free running Malone backline. If this Malone team are to play in DIV 1B they have to defeat teams like Dolphin.

Win on Saturday and Malone will have to return to Munster to play the winners of the Highfield v Nenagh Ormond match. It has been a difficult several weeks travelling for games in Tipperary and Cork. Can the East Belfast side defy the odds and be successful in the next two weeks.

Malone put in a strong display at home to Cashel last Saturday winning 45 – 14.

DIV 2A / 2B
Armagh v Wanderers. Played Palace Grounds. Referee Leo Colgan
Sunday’s Well v Old Crescent. Played Sunday 23.4.17 at Irish Independent Park. Referee Paul Haycock

Armagh v Wanderers
It is all about the playoffs for Head coach Alex McCloy and his Armagh players. Win this week and like Malone they could face travelling to Cork to play Sunday’s Well or a home playoff final with Old Crescent.

Two defeats against league winners Greystones and Wanderers after Xmas denied the Orchard County side the automatic promotion place by one point.

Armagh Coach Alex McCloy is not expecting too many changes from the team that defeated Bective Rangers 36 – 16 at home last Sat. Inform centre Stuart Lester has scored four tries for his team in their last three matches including a decisive try in the SONI Ulster premiership win at Ballymena. With the dry firm conditions Armagh have scored 14 tries in their last two UBL games. Spectators will no doubt be treated to another fast and furious game at the Palace grounds on Saturday.

These two teams have met twice this season. Armagh won the first meeting at the Palace Grounds 39 - 11 on the 3.12.16. In the return game at the Aviva stadium on the 21 .1.17 Wanderers won 23 – 14.

DIV 2B / 2C
Bective Rangers v Tullamore. Played Donnybrook. Referee Oisin Quinn
Sligo v Rainey OB. Played Hamilton Park. Referee Robert O’Sullivan

Rainey OB v Sligo
Can this Magherafelt side reverse the two defeats they have suffered against Sligo in the league this season. When the sides met at Hamilton Park in Sligo on the 29.10.16 the home side won 19 – 18. In the return fixture at Hatrick Park Sligo won 17 -13. Not a lot between the sides but Rainey Head coach John Andrews and his players know they will have to raise their game if they are to get a result. If they get through they will face a trip to Donnybrook to play Bective or a home playoff final with Tullamore.

The coach is hoping to have Ulster Academy prop Tommy O’Hagan along with Ireland under 19 second row John McCusker and Captain Jonny Lees returning this weekend. Rainey scored 7 tries in their 49 – 0 defeat of Bangor to bring their total to 15 tries in their last three UBL matches. Young full back Scott McLean continues to impress after converting 7/7 conversions last week. Experienced former Ulster players Ricky Andrew’s and Timmy Barker will have crucial roles in guiding this young squad through this match.

ROUND ROBIN PLAYOFF
Ballina v Malahide. Played Hefferan Park. Referee Tommy O’Donoghue
Omagh v Clonmel. Played Thomas Mellon Playing Fields. Referee Cillian Hogan

Omagh v Clonmel
Expect another big crowd at Omagh for this crucial fixture with three times Munster Junior league champions Clonmel. It will not be easy as Clonmel look to join their Tipperary neighbours Nenagh Ormond and Cashel in playing in the UBL next season. If Omagh win they will be one step away form returning to the UBL league they last played in for three seasons in the late 90s.

After losing their opening game against Round Robin winners Malahide, Omagh travelled to Ballina winning a tight game 17 – 7. The experienced back row forward Mervyn Edgar scored tries in both fixtures against Malahide and Ballina. He has a crucial role in leading the Omagh forwards as they look to dominate their Munster opponents and create the space for the talented Omagh backline.

Head coach Philip Marshall is expecting a really tough game with Clonmel. He has made a number of changes due to the unavailability of backs Stephen MacLaine and Adam Beatty. He welcomes back Alan Heaney, Ryan Mitchell and Lee Murphy into the squad.

The winners of this match will play Boyne away on Saturday the 29th April for a place in the UBL next season.

Ulster 2nd xv League
Banbridge seconds v Belfast Harlequins seconds

GORDON WEST CUP FINAL
PSNI V Cavan. Played Kingspan stadium. Kick off 2.30PM

ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 3
Monaghan v Cavan. Played Tuesday 18.4.17. Monaghan won 24 – 20.
BHSFP V Lurgan. Played Wednesday 19.4.17. Kick off 7PM. BHSFP won 31 – 20.

George