Ballynahinch have few worries this weekend over what advice to take going into the second match of their Division Three league campaign against Instonians.
With former Irish centre Mark McCall coaching the side, Irish international Andy Ward hopefully adding his experience to the back row and Ulster hooker Allen Clarke occasionally dropping into Ballymacaran Park to help out with the front five line-outs and set pieces, Ballynahinch are hardly short of expert opinion.
While the team is not yet selected, Ballynahinch hope that Ward will be available and that the sight of him limping at the end of Ulster's European Cup match last weekend is not an ominous sign. In addition, McCall has instilled a discipline into the side which was not always apparent at Ballynahinch's training sessions in the past. Even taking into account the enthusiastic bloom at the beginning of the year, attendances have been more consistent.
There is doubt over out-half Daryl Callaghan, who has a rib injury, and openside flanker Stephen Kelly, who may have sustained concussion. The visit to Shaws Bridge, against Instonians whom should also be buoyant after Saturday's 10-9 win over Monkstown, will give centre Joel Callaghan the opportunity to continue his fine form with the boot. Last weekend he kicked six penalties in foul conditions.
Skerries, who travel to Corinthians, have no injury worries following their win over Midleton on Saturday. Prop Beven Hanlon will add some New Zealand weight to the front row of the North Dublin side. From the Marist club in Napier, Hanlon's arrival comes after many years of player exchanges between Skerries and New Zealand.
Ballina must face Old Wesley at Heffernan Park without their first choice hooker Darah Quinn. Quinn twisted his knee in their 11-11 draw with Richmond last weekend at Canal Bank and initial reports indicate that he will be out for at least five weeks. Although he will be sorely missed, the opportunity to impress presents itself to Connacht under-21 squad member Kenneth Rush, who will replace him in the front row.
Carlow have a tough assignment away to Bohemians following last week's postponed warm up match against Clontarf. Kiwi number eight Andrew Melville is still out with a knee injury, although the side remains much the same as in the Kitty O'Shea campaign.
In an interesting innovation that should increase lower division contact with the media, the Division Four club Suttonians are about to launch their own web site with information, news, digital photographs and results available. The welcomed site should be up and running in around two weeks time at www.srfc.ie. Suttonians take on Ards on Saturday.
Division Four also throws up an interesting starter for newly promoted side Barnhall, who face the other divisional debutantes, Thomond. It is Barnhall's first venture into league competition and they will start their campaign with the help of South African Klien van Tromp who arrived on the advice of former player and current Irish international Trevor Brennan. It should be a good match as last season Barnhall drew 13-13 with Thomond in the only match they did not win.
