MILLAR McCALL WYLIE JUNIOR CUP SEMI FINALS

Ballymoney v City of Armagh seconds
Ballynahinch seconds v Malone seconds

Ballymoney v City of Armagh seconds

This is a real David v Goliath Cup tie at Kilraughts Road on Saturday. Ballymoney were promoted to Div 2 this season and have impressed in both the league and Cup. The rewards for their efforts are 3rd place in the league and a semi final in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup before Christmas.

City of Armagh are top of Conference league 2 and remain undefeated this season.

Ballymoney have defeated Academy, Limavady and Banbridge seconds to make it to the semi finals.
City of Armagh have recorded wins over PSNI, Ballyclare and Coleraine on route to the semi finals.

On paper you would have to say Armagh seconds are favourites to win this Cup match. Both teams had contrasting fortunes last Saturday. Armagh defeating Insonians 54 – 29 at the Palace Grounds in the Conference league with Ballymoney losing out to Div 2 leaders Grosvenor 23 – 0 at Kilraughts Road.

Ballymoney coach Jonny Hanna admitted he and the rest of the coaching team never expected Ballymoney to make the semi finals of the Junior Cup. But he firmly believes they are there on merit.

He acknowledges that Ballymoney are massive underdogs and this time last year they got beat in the last minute of the Gordon West Cup by Lurgan. The players thought their chances of appearing in a final had gone and that they would have to wait a number of years. Some of the senior players thought they wouldn’t get the chance again. Great credit to the players as they have improved and learned from every game to end up 12 months later one game away from a major Cup Final at the Kingspan Stadium.

The Ballymoney players will be up for the match and hopefully with home advantage, the support and a good bit of luck the players can get a result. He is confident that all 20 players in the squad will give it 100 % and leave nothing behind.

Like every squad at this stage of the season they have a number of injuries but the club have developed strength in depth which has seen the second xv perform well in their league.

City of Armagh second xv will have Captain Stephen Morton returning to the second row with Chris Cousins taking his place in the centre. Otherwise the Armagh team will be similar to the side that defeated Instonians last Saturday.

Ballynahinch seconds v Malone seconds

Again holders Ballynahinch seconds will be clear favourites to win this Cup tie and progress to the final on Thursday the 21st December. With 7/8 Ulster releases to the 1stxv, Manager Ian Dornan will be able to select a strong team. Several players played for the 1st xv in their 13 – 6 defeat at Ballymena. They would include Conor Phillips, Will Stewart, Aaron Ferris, Justin Rea, Gareth Gill, Graham McKitterick, Kenny Morton, Keith Dickson, Conor Piper, Andy Simpson and Rhys O’Donnell. Keith Dickson Captained the team in their 30 – 7 win over Enniskillen in the last round.

Ballynahinch seconds suffered their first defeat of the season when they lost 10 – 8 to neighbours Dromore in the Conference league last Saturday as they pursue City of Armagh seconds for the Conference league 1 title. Winger Aaron Ferris has scored five tries for his team as they progressed to the semi finals including three tries against Enniskillen.

Malone the current McCrea Cup holders are the surprise team in the Junior Cup this season. They are also top of Conference league 2.

Ballynahinch seconds have defeated Larne, Instonians and Enniskillen on route to the semi finals.
Malone seconds have defeated Grosvenor and Portadown on route to the semi finals.

The success of Malone second xv has been down to the efforts of Davy Heron, Sam McBurney and Harry McMurtry in building on the success achieved by the second xv in winning the McCrea Cup. Can they defeat Ballynahinch seconds. It will require a monumental effort and a bit of luck.
It has been the unsung heroes of the team Connor Kelly, Aaron Mckechnie, Tiarnan Dillon, Tom Dullage, Callum Jeffrey, Bruce Duff, Ryan Spence and Jack Knox who turn out weekly for the seconds who have deserved this success. Well done guys.

Both teams will not be able to complete their selections until Friday when 1st xv team lists are confirmed.