This weekend will see the opening round of fixtures, in Division 2C of the Mens All-Ireland Rugby League, with five games down for decision, which all kick off at 2:30pm on Saturday.
The County Down side Bangor will play host to Limerick side Bruff, in their first meeting of the season at Upritchard Park.
Following some recent defeats in Ulster, Bangor director of rugby Tom Rock is demanding a reaction. He wants his players to ‘deliver consistency in our basics and the small details’.
Scorthy finished the 2019/20 season in second place, and will be hoping to continue a good run of form in this season, as they host Midleton, who finished bottom of the table that season.
Ben Manion is on board as Enniscorthy’s new head coach, as they aim to continue where they left off in March 2020,
Midleton have a new signing in Flor McCarthy, he will be looking to make his mark in the back-line, while Player-coach Stuart Lee remains a big name at out-half.
The top side during the 2019/20 season, Skerries will look to claim the title this season, with Tyrone side Omagh Academicals making the trip to Holmpatrick.
Former Ireland Club XV winger Kevin McGrath captains Skerries, and he is looking forward to getting back at it, as the side had just one defeat in 13 games that season.
Glenn Kyle took over as Omagh’s head coach toward the latter stages of last year. Their early season form has caught plenty of attention, with 15 tries scored against Dungannon, Ballymena and City of Derry.
Sundays Well will kick their 2021/22 season off on home soil, as they welcome Clonmel to Musgrave Park. Denis Hurley take the coaching reins at Sunday’s Well. The former Ireland international was previously assistant coach with Blackrock College.
The Well were narrow 15-12 winners over Clonmel in August’s Cork Charity Shield clash, while Clonmel won the last three games of the cancelled 2019/20 season, their first as an AIL club, Luke Hogan is a fanatic player for the side, and he has already been amongst the tries in recent weeks.
Tullamore will have a tough encounter, as they welcome City Of Derry to Spollanstown.
Tullamore’s early form has promising, with wins in the Leinster Senior League over two higher-ranked clubs, MU Barnhall 28-26 and Malahide 22-10.
Richard McCarter is following in the footsteps of his dad Gerald, as head coach of City Of Derry. Injuries have severely damaged their pre-season plans, as they are taking a ‘back to basics, one game at a time’ approach.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.