Struggling Hinch seeking to build on recent momentum

WITH just three points separating bottom club Ballynahinch from this weekend’s opponents Young Munster, there is plenty of added tension surrounding their Division 1A clash.

’Hinch at least travel to Limerick having put together some form again, thanks to a combination of the All-Ireland League, Ulster Premiership and Ulster Senior Cup, as well as only just losing out 26-24 to their seventh-placed hosts at Ballymacarn Park early last month.

Brian McLaughlin’s squad could do with getting something from this game ahead of another break until next month when they host unbeaten leaders Cork Constitution, to not only potentially move away from propping up the table but also creep ahead of both UCC and Dublin University, who currently sit on the same points as ’Hinch (18) but are in eighth and ninth respectively.

Beating Clontarf at home two weekends ago was a huge fillip for the Co Down club, who welcome back Ulster squad member Clive Ross following injury.

He joins regular releases Zack McCall, Jack Regan, Marcus Rea and Conor Rankin. Though outhalf Sean O’Hagan is fit again, Robin Harte is out with a knock, while there are doubts surrounding Ross Adair and Paddy Wright.

“We’ve now put together several wins in various competitions, so we’ve built a bit of momentum,” said ’Hinch director of rugby Harry McAleese.

In 1B, fourth-placed Banbridge are at home to struggling Navan and the Rifle Park side know they cannot afford any slip-ups with just four points between them and City of Armagh, who are down in eighth.

Indeed, Bann’s three-game winning run came to an end at Armagh in the last round, which completed the back-to-back clashes, and they also just got past Navan last month.

“We’re under no illusions about the threat Navan will bring, though we’ve also been focusing on our own processes and what we need to push on up the league,” said Bann coach Mark McDowell, for whom Callum Reid, Jonny Stewart and Bruce Houston are all likely to feature.

Gibson Park is the scene of an Ulster derby as Armagh are aiming to do the double over Malone, who sit three points ahead of them in sixth.

It’s been an inconsistent campaign for Armagh, though they do bring some form to the game.

In 2A, it’s a huge occasion for Rainey Old Boys, and not just because this is second clashing with first in the table as unbeaten leaders MU Barnhall come to Hatrick Park.

With Barnhall 12 points clear of Rainey, the Magherafelt side’s focus is largely on what is directly behind them. As such, they badly need to get a result as Old Crescent, Queen’s University and Cashel are all within range of overhauling John Andrews’ second-placed squad.

Rainey face quite a task as Barnhall have won all 10 games played, though when the sides met at Parsonstown early last month, the Magherafelt side only lost 8-3. However, Rainey are not at full strength for this game as Tommy O’Hagan, Michael O’Neill, Aiden McSwiggan and John McCusker are all missing.