Ballymoney v Ballynahinch seconds.
The County side will go in as clear favourites for this match as they remain undefeated in all competitions this season. To emphasise their tag as Cup favourites they swept aside one of the other Cup semi finalists Coleraine 66 – 3 at Ballymacarn in the Conference league last Saturday. In brushing aside current Qualifying champions Portadown 27 – 18 in the quarter finals the Ballynahinch side have shown they have the players in key forwards Conor Pyper and Captain Josh Donaldson with the live wire Davy Nicholson to orchestrate their open running game in the backs. Many of the names in the Hinch seconds may be unfamiliar but these players have been given the opportunity to play on the 1st xv by coaches Derek Sufferin and Charlie McAleese. Ballymoney after a difficult start to the season have moved up to fifth place in Qualifying One. In their last league outing they lost narrowly to Portadown 10 – 3. Captain Alex Watson will use the noisey and vociferous support at Kilraughts Road as their sixteenth man. Key forwards for Ballymoney with be back row forwards Ryan Clyde and Garvin Bellingham along with second rows Andy Gardiner and Aidy Graham. Ballymoney have talent in their back line and will look to half backs Scott Nelson and James Campbell and their experienced centre James Cleland to keep their side in this contest. You can be sure Ballymoney coaches Neil Beddow and Jason Taggart will have their side well prepared for this Cup tie. Ballynahinch to win
Coleraine v Ballyclare
Undefeated Ballyclare will present a stiff test for Coleraine coach Richard Beggs and his side at Sandel lodge. Having accounted for several Qualifying One sides in Cup competitions over the last two seasons: Ballyclare will be regarded as favourites in this Cup semi final. In recent weeks Bob Young’s side have had to dig deep to beat Clogher Valley in the Quarter finals and secure narrow and hard fought wins over Academy, Carrickfergus and Omagh in the league. Despite injuries their playing squad has the strength in depth to maintain their challenge in all competitions. Concerns remain over Captain Robert Boyd and influential number 8 Willy Logan for this weekend. Key players for Ballyclare will be half backs Colllie Morrow and Nial Lawther along with fellow backs: Gary Clotworthy, James Greer and Adam Wardrop. Back row forwards Jordan McKinstry and Gary Weatherup along with second row Graeme McKinstry have been influential for Ballyclare this season. Coleraine will be hoping that key players Nigel Hall, Stephen Douglas, Conor Simpson, Kenny Calladine and Stevie Patterson will be available for this match. Exciting backs Bokkie Carsten, Mikey Poskett and Rela Dehaghni have been prominent in the Coleraine back line. The availability of key forwards will be vital if the Bannsiders are to win this game. Flanker Brendan Mullan has been outstanding for Coleraine this season along with Daniel Rammage and Aaron Gaston in the forwards. Difficult game to call. Ballyclare to win.
Interesting in the four Quarter finals the home sides won their games. Can we see a repeat in the semi finals. The same was the case in the All Ireland Junior Cup with four home wins.
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