Enniscorthy's Dominic Morycki celebrates after scoring a try during last April's promotion play-off final victory over Skerries ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
There have been a number of coaching changes in Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B. It adds another layer of intrigue to some of Saturday’s first round clashes.
Energia AIL Match Day Live Returns For 2022/23 Season
Saturday, October 1
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
Belfast Harlequins head coach John Andress has overseen an influx of youth across the summer months, with the new arrivals at Deramore Park including Cameron Doak, younger brother of Ulster starlet Nathan, and Ulster Under-19 captain Zac Solomon.
Ahead of the league opener against Sligo, ‘Quins out-half Paul Kerr said: “The boys are looking forward to getting back into the AIL against a physical side. It’s vital we get off to a winning start, playing with tempo and taking our chances.”
Following Josh Reeves’ appointment as Brazil’s director of rugby, New Zealander Paddy Pearson is back for another spell as Sligo’s head coach. Euan Brown and Kuba Wojtkowicz stood out for them against Buccaneers in the recent Connacht Senior League decider.
Two new head coaches at the helm here as Dungannon entertain a Galwegians team that narrowly avoided relegation last April. Jonny Gillespie is now in charge at Stevenson Park, assisted by Jonny Patton and Jonny Graham.
Last week’s 45-19 defeat to Instonians would have knocked ‘Gannon’s confidence a bit, but they did win their previous three Ulster Rugby Premiership games. James McMahon, Andrew McGregor and Matthew Montgomery remain key players.
Brendan Guilfoyle heads up Galwegians’ new coaching team which includes Shane O’Brien, who has also ventured west from Malahide, and Connacht back rower Jarrad Butler. “I believe we have everything we need to be in the fight for promotion at the end of the season,” said Butler, their defence coach.
Enniscorthy native Declan O’Brien leads the club into their next challenge of stepping up to Division 2B rugby. In the other corner this weekend is Greystones player coach Danny Kenny, who has replaced the long-serving Kevin Lewis in the hot seat.
Former Connacht prop Stewart Maguire is now on board with ‘Stones as a player/forwards coach. Eoin Marmion, who succeeds his brother Killian as captain, said: “We’d like to rectify what happened last year (in the play-offs) and go up into the league above.”
Promoted ‘Scorthy have a talented and ambitious squad, although there are big boots to fill with veteran players Ivan Poole and Ivan Jacob having both retired. Lynchpin number 8 Timmy Morrissey is their 2022/23 captain.
Tipperary native Michael Harding is Galway Corinthians’ head coach for their fourth successive season in Division 2B. Their promotion bid fell short at the semi-final stage last April, but Harding feels they have ‘built a squad that can take us to the next level’.
Pat Cunningham has come back from Creggs to assist Harding as forwards coach, their pack led by former Connacht Academy back rower Cian Huxford. Fiachna Barrett, their tighthead from Belmullet, has been gaining experience with Connacht Eagles.
Rainey Old Boys are determined to put last season’s relegation behind them. Ex-Ulster lock Tim Barker is now part of their coaching ticket, while young Kiwi full-back Moli Faiva, who has already get amongst the tries, is an exciting signing.
A Dublin derby that should be a lot closer than last season’s meetings, which Wanderers won by 30 points on both occasions. Malahide look in better shape this year with Ray Monaghan, their new director of rugby, back at the club.
Captain Dan Hayes feels that Monaghan’s ‘vision for Malahide for the next few years will be transformational’. They certainly have a solid coaching base and will benefit doubly from Ben Woods and Dean Moore as player coaches.
One of Malahide’s former players, Mick McGrath, could face them this weekend. He helped Wanderers to win the Leinster Senior League Division 2 title. Fergus McFadden is now assisting Eoin Sheriff, looking after the Chaps’ back-line.
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