We have the Final matches coming up in Round 18 of the Ulster Bank All Ireland league this weekend. The results will decide league winners in Div 2A, 2B and 2C. In Div 1A the results this weekend will decide who finishes in 1st,2nd, 3rd and 4th place. The 1st place team with play the 4th place team with 2nd against 3rd in the playoff semi finals with the Final scheduled to take place at the Aviva stadium on Sunday the 7th May 2017. In Div 1A/1B Playoff the 9th place team in Div 1A with play the 4th place teams in Div 1B with the 2nd and 3rd teams in Div 1B playing against each other. The highest placed finalist will have home advantage in the play off final. This playoff formula will apply in Div 1B/Div 2A, Div 2A/2B, Div 2B/C, Div 2C (9th place team)/Runner up in the Round Robin Tournament.

In Ulster we have two playoff matches in the Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship.
Div 1/2 playoff: Dromore v CIYMS
Div 2/3 playoff: UUC v PSNI.

On Easter Monday 17th April we have two Domestic Cup Finals being staged at the Kingspan stadium.
McCrea Cup. Cooke v Malone seconds. Kick off 12.30PM
River Rock Towns Cup. Ballynahinch seconds v Enniskillen. Kick off 2.30PM

ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE
In Div 1A we have one point separating the top four sides. Lansdowne, Clontarf and Young Munster are all on 53 pts with 4th place Cork Constitution on 52 pts. Who will come out on top in the contest between the two Leinster and the two Munster sides for the Div 1A title. Last year Clontarf defeated Cork Constitution in a thrilling final at the Aviva stadium.

At the bottom of this Division Old Belvedere have been relegated with one point separating the teams in 6th – 9th place. Dublin Uni, Garryowen and Terenure College are on 35 pts with St Mary’s College on 36 pts in the contest to avoid finishing in 9th place and the playoffs.

In Div 1B Buccaneers have secured the league title and automatic promotion to Div 1A next season. The contest to finish in 2nd – 4th place and the playoffs involves UL Bohs on 51 pts, Naas 49 pts, Old Wesley 47 pts and UCC on 44 pts with Old Wesley and UCC meeting at Donnybrook on Sat.

There is another contest at the bottom end of this Division with five points separating Dolphin, Ballymena and Shannon in 7th – 9th place. Galwegians in 10th place are on 28pts two points behind 9th place Dolphin on 30 pts and cannot overtake Ballymena (34pts) or Shannon (35 pts). No doubt the games involving Ballymena v Shannon, Galwegians v Naas and UL Bohemians will be followed closely this weekend. Who will finish in 10th place and be automatically relegated. Who will finish in 9th place and enter the playoffs.

In Div 2A the contest for the league title and automatic promotion is between Banbridge and Highfield with the County Down side having a two point advantage. Both Nenagh Ormond and Malone are level on 52 pts in 3rd and 4th place.

At the bottom of this league 10th place Belfast Harlequins have been relegated for the second successive season. Sunday’s Well have finished in 9th place and will enter the playoffs.

In Div 2B One point separates Greystones and Armagh in the race for the league title and automatic promotion to Div 2A. Both Wanderers and Old Crescent will finish in 3rd and 4th place and can’t be overtaken.

We have another exciting contest at the bottom of this Division. Limerick side Thomond have been relegated. In the contest to avoid finishing in 9th place and the playoffs, two points separate Skerries, City of Derry and Bective Rangers with both Skerries and City of Derry meeting in a winner takes all game this week.

In Div 2C three points separates leaders Navan RFC and 2nd place Sligo in the contest for the league title with both teams meeting each other this weekend. Rainey in 3rd place and Tullamore in 4th place will finish in these playoff places.

There is a real contest going on between Boyne and Kanturk to avoid finishing in 10th place and automatic relegation from the UBL with Boyne having a three point advantage. The 9th place team will play the 2nd place team in the Round Robin tournament to secure a place in Div 2C next season.

After the second round results in the Round Robin Tournament last week, Leinster favourites Malahide have a six point advantage over 2nd and 3rd place Omagh and Clonmel with the games in round 3 to be played on the 22nd April. The result is that Malahide will take their place in the UBL next season with Omagh and Clonmel meeting at the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields to decide which team will finish 2nd and play in the playoff match against the 9th place team in Div 2C on Saturday the 29th April. Omagh secured a much needed and hard fought 17 – 7 win at Ballina to remain in contention for promotion.

The finalists in the Nutty Krust this year have been decided. In the first semi final Dungannon defeated Ballynahinch 44 – 17 at Chambers Park on Tuesday night. Armagh received a bye into the final after Malone withdrew due to an injury crisis in their playing squad.

The Final will take place between Dungannon and Armagh at Chambers Park, Portadown on Wednesday the 26th April with a 8PM Kick off.

With key UBL, Ulster Championship playoffs and Cup Finals taking place this weekend lets see all club supporters making the effort to go along and support the Domestic Club game. Bring your friends along and introduce them to the club game and what it has to offer supporters throughout Ulster.

ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE

DIV 1A
Clontarf (2) v UCD (5)
Cork Constitution (4) v St Mary’s College (6)
Dublin Uni (9) v Terenure College (7)
Lansdowne (1) v Garryowen (8)
Old Belvedere (10) v Young Munster (3)

DIV 1B
Ballymena (8) v Shannon (7)
Buccaneers (1) v Ballynahinch (6)
Galwegians (9) v Naas (3)
Old Wesley (4) v UCC (5)
UL Bohemians (2) v Dolphin (9)

Ballymena v Shannon
Both these teams need the points to avoid finishing in 9th place and the playoffs with it promising to be a tense day at Eaton Park for the Ballymena coaches and players. Ballymena suffered a 40 – 15 defeat at Naas last Saturday with Shannon going down narrowly 19 – 13 at home to Division 1B league winners Buccaneers 19 – 13.

Ballymena Head coach Andy Graham is again having to deal with injuries and unavailabilities before finalising his squad for this crucial game.

Ulster players Ross Kane, Adam McBurney, Stephen Mulholland, Conal Boomer, Callum Patterson have been released with late fitness tests required on scrum half David Shanahan and centre Mark Best.

Ballymena squad 1 – 20: Ross Kane, Adam McBurney, Chris Cundell, David Whann, Conor Smyth, Stephen Mulholland, Conal Boomer, Adrian Hamilton, David Shanahan/John Creighton, Richie McMaster, Callum Patterson, Josh McIIroy/Mark Best, Rodger McBurney. Late fitness tests are required on Glenn Baillie and Jonny Rossborough to confirm their availability for this weekend with decisions to be made on Nicky Sterling, Alan Smyth and Matthew Norris. Bench replacements from Andrew Ferguson, Adrian Kirkpatrick, Josh Bill, James Gallagher and Mark Foster.

James Taggart, Bryan Young and Tony McGuinness are unavailable.
As the Ballymena coach pointed out there has been very little to choose between all the teams in Div 1B this season. You only had to look at Dolphin defeating 4th place Old Wesley last Sunday. He also felt Ballymena have been unlucky to lose a number of games by 2/3 points this season. Losing players to injuries and unavailabilities has impacted on consistency in selection throughout the season with performances suffering through the team failing to take their chances. He felt his team played well in the 1st half at Naas last week with poor decision making and missed tackles being punished by the Naas team.

This Saturday the team are in a dogfight with Shannon to avoid finishing in 9th place. Their destiny is in their own hands. The team selected this week is capable of winning on Saturday.

When these two teams met on the 17.9.16 at Thomond Park Ballymena won 25 – 19.

Ballynahinch v Buccaneers
It has not been the season we expected from Ballynahinch after being relegated last season. They started the season brightly defeating Buccaneers 35 – 13 at Ballymacarn Park in September. Inconsistency in availability and selections has not helped Head coach Derek Suffern and his playing squad throughout the season. In recent games several of the clubs successful second xv team have impressed when given the opportunity. They played a key role in the teams narrow 13 – 8 home defeat to UL Bohemians last Sat.

With Buccaneers promoted and Ballynahinch safe in Div 1B there is little at stake for both teams in this final fixture.

Captain Michael Graham is unavailable with back row forward David McGuigan ruled out through injury. Ulster players Peter Nelson, Aaron Cairns, David Busby, John Donnan and Craig Trenier are expected to be included this weekend.

DIV 2A
Galway Corinthians (8) v Blackrock College ( 6)
Malone (4) v Cashel RFC (7)
Nenagh Ormond (3) v Belfast Harlequins (10)
Queens Uni (5) v Highfield (2)
Sunday’s Well (9) v Banbridge (1)

Malone v Cashel
Head coach Paddy Armstrong is looking to use the Cashel game at Gibson Park this weekend as preparation for the playoff game away on the 22nd April. He was pleased with the performance of his players in their 34 – 28 defeat at Highfield last week. To get two bonus points guaranteed the teams place in the playoffs. He felt the team gave Highfield too many opportunities in the 1st half to build up a 21 – 7 halftime lead but he was delighted with the players response in the 2nd half.

The Malone coach is aware that Cashel have been playing well recently. They have as good a pack as any team in the league and will present another physical challenge for his players
.
For this weekend full back Jack Owens is unavailable, but the coach is not expecting many changes from the squad last week with Mark McCrea coming in.
The coach is also pleased to see the second xv reaching the final of the McCrea Cup on Easter Monday. They have worked very well all season and have some great results along the way to the final.

When these two teams met at Cashel on the 17.9.16 Malone won 21 – 13.

Belfast Harlequins v Nenagh Ormond
Quins suffered a heavy home defeat against Galway Corinthians 50 – 10 last week and face difficult opponents in Nenagh Ormond who have also made the playoffs and are favourites to finish in 3rd place. It has been a difficult season for Head coach Andrew Gillespie as he looks to assemble a playing squad to make the long trip to County Tipperary.

When these two teams met at Deramore Park on the 17.9.16 Nenagh won 28 – 17.

Queens Uni v Highfield
Not an easy game for Queens this weekend. Cork side Highfield are two points behind leaders Banbridge and will be going all out to pick up the five points at the Dub to keep the pressure on Banbridge. Queens lost 43 – 20 at Banbridge last week with Highfield winning 34 – 28 at home to Malone.

When these two teams met on the 17.9.16 at Woodleigh Park in Cork Highfield won 16 – 13.

Banbridge v Sunday’s Well
Having missed out on promotion through the playoffs over the last two seasons, Banbridge Head coach Daniel Soper and his players are one win away from automatic promotion to Div 1B next season. His team continued their recent good form defeating Queens Uni 43 – 20 at home last Saturday with Sunday’s Well losing a close game at Blackrock College 26 – 21. They face a long trip to Cork to achieve their ambition against a team that will finish in 9th place and the playoffs.
As the Bann coach put it himself, the one thing his team have learnt from the past is not to get ahead of one self and focus only on the task in front of them and not the prize. All the focus this week is on what the team can improve on to win this game. Promotion will only happen if the team perform on the day which will require another huge effort.

All 20 players from last week along with Chris Allen and Colin Bickerstaff are available so there will be a couple of very tight calls to be made up front.

Ulster Academy out half Andrew McGrath has been released by Ulster rugby and will play his final game of the season for Banbridge on Sat before travelling to New Zealand to play rugby. Banbridge Head coach Daniel Soper has recognised the role the young out half has played in the teams performances in recent months. He feels a season in NZ will help his development and in turn provide an opportunity for the player to return to the professional game.

DIV 2B
Armagh (2) v Bective Rangers (7)
Greystones (1) v Old Crescent (4)
MU Barnhall (6) v Dungannon (5)
Skerries (9) v City of Derry (8)
Thomond (10) v Wanderers (3)

Armagh v Bective Rangers
It looks as if Armagh will have to content themselves with the playoffs this season. Looking at the fixtures this weekend you would expect league leaders Greystones and 2nd place Armagh to pick up maximum points with Greystones holding that one point advantage. Both teams put in high scoring performances last week with Greystones defeating 3rd place Wanderers 46 – 29 at the Aviva stadium and Armagh defeating City of Derry 48 – 13 at Judges Road.

Armagh head coach Alex McCloy will finalise selection on Thursday night with a few players carrying bumps and bruises from their match at City of Derry.

When these two teams met at Donnybrook on the 17.9.16 Armagh won 30 – 14.

Dungannon v MU Barnhall
Head coach Andrew Hughes was pleased with his teams 40 – 26 win over Bective Rangers last weekend. The only blot on the performance were injuries picked up by key backs Paul Armstrong and Seamus Mallon that forced the two players from the pitch in the 1st half.
He had told the team to go out and attack from all areas of the pitch. It was an opportunity to put into practise the hard work the players had been putting in at training on their decision making in attack.
The coach was pleased with the performance of Clogher Valley 2nd row Eugene McKenna who stepped in to help the club out due to the ever growing injury list.

Selection has yet to be finalised at this stage as the coach is simply trying to get 20 fit players for the weekend. He has lost nine players in the last two matches to injury to add to the lengthening list. As the coach put it everybody is looking forward to the break after this weekend.
When these two teams met at Stevenson Park on the 17.9.16 Dungannon won 20 – 15.

City of Derry v Skerries
You can only describe this match as a Cup Final for both teams. The trip to Holmpatrick for City of Derry Player coach Richard McCarter and his players represents their greatest challenge this season. The team were defeated 48 – 13 at home last week by Ulster neighbours Armagh whilst Skerries were defeated 40 – 26 at Dungannon.

The Derry coach acknowledges that is a winner takes all this weekend at Skerries. It is good knowing that our own destiny is in our hands.

The only change this week will see Gerard Doherty coming in for the unavailable Adam Bratton otherwise the team will be along similar lines with a possibility of a few changes to the bench.

DIV 2C
Bruff (5) v Boyne (9)
Kanturk (10) v Midleton (7)
Navan RFC (1) v Sligo (2)
Rainey OB (3) v Bangor (8)
Tullamore (4) v Seapoint (6)

Rainey OB v Bangor
Head coach John Andrew’s has been delighted with his teams good run of form and is hoping to carry this winning streak into the playoffs. The squad is expected to be along similar lines with Bernie Mullan returning from injury. John McCusker is unavailable as he is away with the Ireland Under 19 squad. Prop Tommy O’Hagan is expected to be released by Ulster.

Bangor 1st xv Manager Ricky Armstrong is delighted his team are safe in Div 2C after securing promotion this season. The focus for Bangor rugby club is to look forward and start building for next season. The club are hoping to add to their playing squad and welcome back several of their long term injuries. He feels the coaching staff and the players will be aware of what is required to compete in the UBL next season.

Squad for Rainey OB 1 – 20 Philip Whyte (captain), Andrew Shaw, Andrew Jackson, James Leary, David Bradford, Craig Burton, Glenn Burton, Darren Kelly, James Henley, Matty Agnew, Mike Aspley, Matt Nesbitt, Ali Lockhart, Jason Morgan, Gareth Millar, David Charles, Mark Widdowson, Rob Gamble, Desi Fusco, Phil Broderick and Adam McCusker.

ULSTER RUGBY 2ND XV LEAGUE
Banbridge seconds (5) v Armagh seconds (2)
Belfast Harlequins seconds (6) v Malone seconds (4). Played Thursday the 13th April. Conceded by Belfast Harlequins.

KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS

DIV 1/2 PLAYOFF
Dromore v CIYMS
As new Director of Rugby, Jeremy Ogle put it there is High excitement around Dromore this week in anticipation of the big match at Barban Hill between Dromore and CIYMS. Head coach Jonny Cullen will finalise his selection on Thursday night with a full squad to select from.

Dromore squad expected to include 1 – 17: Adam McDonald, Michael Harshaw, Andrew Black, Ross Bingham, Stuart Russell, Gary Dillon, Jonny Maguire, Blair McDonald, Lee Steenson, Ryan Cobb, Aaron Stewart, Graham McCandless, Adam McGregor, Jason Gribben, Adam McDonald, Rory Pepper, Stuart Sloan, Aaron McKinstry and M Heath.

CIYMS Head coach Gareth Fry acknowledges that it would have been nice to go straight up this season, but a couple of poor home defeats put paid to that. His players are under no illusion that this will be a very tough match. Dromore are very well organised defensively with credit to the hard work put in by coach Jonny Cullen. Their set piece will be strong with some All Ireland league experience to fall back on. His players are looking forward to the game but are very much the underdogs.

CIYMS have a full squad to select from apart from prop Gavin Woods who is unavailable. It will be difficult to select 17 players. The coach feels the Ulster Branch should be looking at allowing a larger bench for these play off games. With only two subs it is basically impossible to cover every eventuality. One early injury can ruin such an important game.
The coach will finalise his starting 17 at training on Thursday night.

DIV 2/3 PLAYOFF
UUC v PSNI

EASTER MONDAY CUP FINALS AT KINGSPAN STADIUM .

MCCREA CUP FINAL

Cooke v Malone seconds. Kick off 12.30PM

These two teams met in last years final with Cooke winning 29 – 22 in a highly entertaining game. Cooke are favourites to retain the Cup after an excellent 54 – 13 win over CIYMS in the semi finals.

Head coach Colin Atkinson is delighted to end the season at the Kingspan stadium in another McCrea Cup Final after what can only be described as a hugely disappointing league campaign. It is a great opportunity for the players to hopefully play in front of another large crowd if last year was anything to go by.

Malone as a club are currently showing a great deal of form throughout their teams and their seconds will be very strong and dangerous across the board. They also have the advantage of playing a couple of recent games in the lead up to the final. The coach has had to factor this into training having not played since the 1st of April.

The only change to the squad in recent weeks will see the return of former Ulster Juniors number 8 and Captain Toby Mannus to the squad.

Under the coaching of Philip Cartmill the Cooke team have shown in recent weeks how dangerous their backline is with the three quarters of Alex Gourley (1), Jonathan Backus(1), Andrew Nelson (2) scoring the teams four tries against Clogher Valley in their 26 – 21 win. The backs scored all the teams eight tries in the semi final win over CIYMS the previous week. With the right weather conditions we can expect this Cooke backline to decide the outcome of this game.

Malone 1st xv Manager Davy Heron is looking forward to the final last won by Malone in the 2011/12. At the minute he is waiting on the fitness of winger Davy Irvine who picked up a knock in the 22 – 7 defeat against Ballynahinch seconds last Saturday before finalising his squad for Easter Monday. Head coach Paddy Armstrong has been delighted with the work put in by Davy Heron and Sam McBurney to develop a competitive 2nd xv at the club. From Xmas the momentum has been building when most players have been available with several of the younger players including Callum Jeffrey, Michael Browne and Jack Knox making an impact playing alongside the more experienced players Michael Barker and David Irvine.

Up front Connor Kelly has come in along with Ricky Greenwood and Aaron McKechnie who has stepped up from the Under 18 team.
Looking ahead to Monday Davy Heron is hoping to address last years defeat where the Cooke team exploited the Malone three quarters to score tries. He is looking to his Captain Daryl Maxwell and the experienced forwards Richard Millar and Lee Barlow to give the Malone backline a platform to play off.

RIVER ROCK TOWNS CUP FINAL

Ballynahinch seconds v Enniskillen. Kick off 2.30PM

Fascinating final coming up on Easter Monday. Ballynahinch seconds will be the firm favourites to win the Towns Cup having already won the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup, Conference league Div 1, 2nd xv league so far this season . The Ballymacarn Park team last won the trophy in 2015 when they defeated Clogher Valley 17 – 13. They had to overcome Clogher Valley in this seasons semi final 18 – 17 to make the final.

Enniskillen were finalists last season losing 31 – 25 against Bangor in a thrilling final. The County Fermanagh side staged a late comeback that just denied them the win. After securing promotion to Div 1 of the Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship this season the team finished in 5th place just missing out on a place in the All Ireland Junior Cup next season. It is still an option if Omagh are promoted to the UBL through the playoffs.

The Ballynahinch squad is expected to include 1 – 20 Ben Cullen, Ben Pentland, Andrew Weir, Andy Simpson (Captain), Kenny Morton, Brian Howard, Keith Dickson, Graham McKitterick, Jonny Murdock/Chris Gibson, James McBriar/Davy Harris,Chris Orr/Chris Quinn, Davy Harris, Callum Mclaughlin, Aaron Ferris, Paddy Wright, Stuart Orr, Conor Phillips, Stuarty Evans, Gareth Gill and Ryan Wilson.

Ten of this squad were included in the 1st xv match day squad that played against UL Bohs in the UBL last Saturday. Ballynahinch seconds continued their preparations for the Towns Cup Final with their 2nds defeating McCrea Cup finalists Malone 2nds 22 – 7 at Ballymacarn Park last weekend.

Enniskillen last played a match on the 25th March when they defeated Armagh seconds 36 – 5 in the semi finals of the River Rock Towns Cup. It is 80 years since Enniskillen last won the Towns Cup defeating Dromore in the Final. They have appeared in three finals since that win losing all three.

Enniskillen Squad 1 – 20 : Alan Ferguson, Ryan Cathcart, Gareth Beatty, James Carlton, David Buchanan (Captain), Jamie Johnston, Jack Harte, Kaine Holden, Patrick McCleery, Adam Lendrum, Matthew Balmer, Michael Law, James Ferguson, Robert Balacoune, Ashley Finaly, Steven Fox, Richard Beatty, Gavin Parke, Richard Lee and Mark O’Shea.

These two teams have already met in the Conference league this season with Ballynahinch seconds winning 15 - 10 at Mullaghmeen on the 19.11.16.

George