AIB Cup: Third Round Previews
After winning the First Trust Ulster Senior League for the first time in their history, Ballynahinch will venture south to Coonagh to take on reigning AIB Cup champions Shannon in arguably the tie of the third round. UCC and Bruff will both entertain Division One opposition this weekend, while Young Munster and UCD clash in a top flight derby at Tom Clifford Park.
AIB CUP – THIRD ROUND: Saturday, January 10
SHANNON v BALLYNAHINCH, Coonagh, 2pm
Derek Suffern’s Ballynahinch side have made a great start to the season, topping the AIB League Division Two table at the halfway point and securing the First Trust Ulster Senior League title for the first time in the club’s history.
Out-half Ryan Bambry has been knitting things together for ‘Hinch, behind a workman-like pack, and they seem in rude health as they head south looking for the scalp of AIB Cup champions Shannon.
Geoff Moylan’s men have been struggling for consistency but things are beginning to click, with some of their younger forwards stepping up to the mark and free-scoring out-half Tadhg Bennett in talismanic form.
Bennett is Division One’s top points scorer, with 109 points to date, and he is likely to be a key figure against ‘Hinch as Shannon look to qualify for the cup quarter-finals for the third successive year. ‘Hinch are on a high but Shannon have the qualities to grind out the win.
Shannon –
AIB League Position: 3rd in Division One
AIB League Form (last five matches, latest on the right): D (17-17 at home to Garryowen), W (35-10 away to Terenure College), W (36-9 at home to UCD), L (8-6 at home to Clontarf), W (26-20 at home to St. Mary’s College)
AIB Cup Run: 2008/09 – Second Round: Blackrock College 20 Shannon 40, Stradbrook
AIB Cup History: 2005/06: Reached second round; 2006/07: Semi-finalists; 2007/08: Champions
Ballynahinch –
AIB League Position: 1st in Division Two
AIB League Form (last five matches, latest on the right): W (46-6 away to Wanderers), W (40-8 at home to Thomond), L (26-24 away to Old Crescent), W (60-13 at home to Greystones), L (13-10 away to Lansdowne)
AIB Cup Run: 2008/09 – First Round: Naas 20 Ballynahinch 41, Forenaughts; Second Round: Ballynahinch 33 County Carlow 10, Ballymacarn Park
AIB Cup History: 2005/06: Did not qualify; 2006/07: Did not qualify; 2007/08: Reached second round
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Shannon to win by less than 7 points
UCC v OLD BELVEDERE, The Mardyke, 2pm
The season began so well for Old Belvedere as a pack of Leinster clubs took over at the top of the AIB League Division One table. New coach Phil Werahiko seemed to have transferred his magic from Clontarf to the southside of the city, but four straight league defeats has stunted their progress.
So Saturday’s trip to Cork has added importance as Belvo look to turn things around, continue their cup run and start 2009 as they mean to go on. To do so, they will need big games from the likes of Felix Jones, Eoin O’Malley, Kieran Hurrell, Ruairi Cushion, team captain Richie Leyden and try-scoring number 8 Leo Auva’a.
UCC, who are enjoying an impressive run at the business end of Division Two, are the reigning play-off champions in the division and a victory here would rubberstamp their credentials as a potential top flight side.
The Cork students have plenty of game-breakers in their armoury, from scrum half and captain Sam Cronin to out-half Gavin Dunne and pack heavyweights Ian Nagle and Neilus Keogh.
Leading 8-0 at half-time in their second round meeting with Portadown, UCC ran riot in the second half and have the ability to find an extra gear when required. A great tussle is in the offing here and expect some fireworks.
UCC –
AIB League Position: 3rd in Division Two
AIB League Form (last five matches, latest on the right): L (17-16 at home to Old Crescent), W (28-20 away to Instonians), W (7-0 at home to Belfast Harlequins), W (17-16 away to Malone), W (23-10 at home to Dublin University)
AIB Cup Run: 2008/09 – First Round: UCC 26 Greystones 9, The Mardyke; Second Round: UCC 37 Portadown 0, The Mardyke
AIB Cup History: 2005/06: Did not qualify; 2006/07: Did not qualify; 2007/08: Reached third round
Old Belvedere –
AIB League Position: 10th in Division One
AIB League Form (last five matches, latest on the right): W (16-11 at home to Dolphin), L (14-12 away to Galwegians), L (26-14 at home to Garryowen), L (19-15 away to Terenure College), L (22-17 at home to Blackrock College)
AIB Cup Run: 2008/09 – Second Round: Old Belvedere 25 Ballymena 22, Anglesea Road
AIB Cup History: 2005/06: Did not qualify; 2006/07: Did not qualify; 2007/08: Reached third round
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Belvedere to win by less than 7 points
YOUNG MUNSTER v UCD, Tom Clifford Park, 2pm
Two teams in the lower reaches of the Division One table go head-to-head at Tom Clifford Park, with UCD hoping to follow up on their pre-Christmas league win at Terenure College.
Young Munster’s highlight of the season so far came at Temple Hill in October when they beat defending league champions Cork Constitution 21-16.
The Cookies, with Munster’s Mike Prendergast slotting between out-half and scrum half, have never reached the AIB Cup quarter-finals and a big crowd could help the push of those vital few points in what is likely to be a tight game.
Matthew Costelloe has been in good place-kicking form for Young Munster, while UCD have benefited from the inclusion of Leinster’s Fergus McFadden for recent games.
The sides are due to meet in what could be an all-or-nothing AIB League tie on April 18, the final day of the regulation season, at Belfield. A win for UCD this Saturday would see them through to the cup quarter-finals for the third year on the trot.
Young Munster –
AIB League Position: 15th in Division One
AIB League Form (last five matches, latest on the right): W (21-16 away to Cork Constitution), L (7-0 at home to Clontarf), L (24-6 away to UL Bohemians), L (17-16 at home to Dungannon), L (15-10 away to Galwegians)
AIB Cup Run: 2008/09 – Second Round: Young Munster 18 Belfast Harlequins 15, Tom Clifford Park
AIB Cup History: 2005/06: Did not qualify; 2006/07: Did not qualify; 2007/08: Beaten in first round
UCD –
AIB League Position: 14th in Division One
AIB League Form (last five matches, latest on the right): L (15-13 away to Dungannon), W (10-6 at home to Blackrock College), L (36-9 away to Shannon), L (16-6 at home to Ballymena), W (19-18 away to Terenure College)
AIB Cup Run: 2008/09 – Second Round: Rainey Old Boys 10 UCD 41, Hatrick Park
AIB Cup History: 2005/06: Did not qualify; 2006/07: Quarter-finalists; 2007/08: Quarter-finalists
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: UCD to win by less than 7 points
BRUFF v CORK CONSTITUTION, Kilballyowen Park, 2.30pm
This will be Cork Constitution’s first ever visit to Kilballyowen Park and they will travel as Munster Senior Cup champions after last weekend’s final victory over Old Crescent.
In the AIB League, Cork Con had an up and down time of it before Christmas, with defeats to Young Munster, St. Mary’s College and Garryowen denting their chances of securing back-to-back league titles.
Brian Walsh’s side were the inaugural AIB Cup champions in 2005/06 and with the talented Cronan Healy, Richie Lane, Merle O’Connell and Billy Holland in their ranks, they can certainly turn on the style when they want to.
But if they have an off day, Bruff will pounce. Their much-vaunted defence helps them squeeze the life out of teams and more often than not, they come out the right side of a close result.
Currently well-placed to make the Division Two semi-finals, the Eoin Cahill-coached outfit will welcome the Leesiders into the lion’s den with much glee.
They have certainly made their mark on the AIB League in their short history, but can Bruff grab the AIB Cup headlines and beat one of the competition’s favourites? We think so.
Bruff –
AIB League Position: 4th in Division Two
AIB League Form (last five matches, latest on the right): L (7-6 at home to Belfast Harlequins), W (9-3 away to Malone), W (13-12 at home to Dublin University), W (18-13 away to De La Salle Palmerston), D (10-10 at home to Highfield)
AIB Cup Run: 2008/09 – First Round: Bruff 29 Clonakilty 10, Kilballyowen Park; Second Round: Old Crescent 11 Bruff 15, Rosbrien
AIB Cup History: 2005/06: Did not qualify; 2006/07: Did not qualify; 2007/08: Reached third round
Cork Constitution –
AIB League Position: 6th in Division One
AIB League Form (last five matches, latest on the right): L (21-16 at home to Young Munster), L (16-9 away to St. Mary’s College), W (25-7 at home to Galwegians), L (20-19 away to Garryowen), W (25-19 away to UL Bohemians)
AIB Cup Run: 2008/09 – Second Round: St. Mary’s College 13 Cork Constitution 15, Templeville Road
AIB Cup History: 2005/06: Champions; 2006/07: Reached first round; 2007/08: Reached third round
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Bruff to win by less than 7 points
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