Dromore aiming to reach Towns’ final and receive a timely boost
Good timing: Adam McDonald is back in the Dromore squad
AS A consequence of their successes this season, Dromore are facing a tough few weeks beginning with their RiverRock Towns’ Cup semi-final against Ballyclare tomorrow afternoon.
Dromore director of rugby Jeremy Ogle said: “Having reached the All-Ireland Junior Cup final we now have three vital league games in eight days as well as this Towns’ Cup semi-final so it is a real strain considering our small squad.
“In those league games we will probably need five points from each to win the title but firstly we must concentrate on the Ballyclare game.
“We played them in January and it must have been our worst performance of the season as we unexpectedly lost 28-0.
“We had no excuses as Ballyclare were much the better side and the boys were very disappointed with their efforts, although the heavy conditions did not suit their style of rugby.”
The pressure is on for the Down side to win the league title and automatically qualify for the All-Ireland League round-robin but Ballyclare are the favourites with 66 points from 16 games, while Dromore have 62 from 15.
With the Kukri League programme having to be finalised by March 21, Dromore have Instonians and Clogher Valley at home and finally Grosvenor away whereas Ballyclare are away to Cooke and home to Carrickfergus.
Dromore full-back Adam McDonald has been out with a hamstring injury for four weeks but has now come through rehab and will be an added strength to the squad.
Once again they will be relying on their Ulster Junior half-back pairing of Lee Steenson and David Lyttle, while their leading try scorer Josh Pentland will be a real threat in the centre.
It is a particularly strenuous time for both Steenson and Lyttle as they are also participating in training sessions before the start of the junior inter-provincial series.
The other semi-final sees Ballynahinch II travel to Banbridge II. In their previous league meeting in January, Hinch won 33-7.