AIB Cup Preview: Belfast Harlequins v Galwegians
Belfast Harlequins will hope to continue their recent good patch of form as they seek their fourth straight win in AIB League or Cup competition this weekend, but Galwegians, the only Connacht team left in the quarter-finals, are sure to test them to the hilt.
AIB CUP QUARTER-FINAL: Saturday, February 3
BELFAST HARLEQUINS v GALWEGIANS, Deramore Park, 2.30pm
Referee: Alan Lewis (Leinster)
Previous AIB League/Cup Meetings: Played 7, Belfast Harlequins Won 4, Galwegians Won 3
At Deramore Park: Played 4, Belfast Harlequins Won 3, Galwegians Won 1
Most Recent Game: October 14, 2006 – Galwegians 29 Belfast Harlequins 8, Crowley Park
League/Cup Form: Belfast Harlequins: WWWLL
Galwegians: LDWWL
Belfast Harlequins – Notes: *This is their eighth season in the AIB League competition – they have, in the past, entertained Connacht clubs four times in the league in Belfast and have lost only one (24-14 to Galwegians in November 2002)
*They beat Nenagh Ormond 21-0 in the AIB Cup’s first round at Deramore Park on January 13
*They are the only one of four Ulster clubs to have survived from the first round
*They qualified for this season’s AIB Cup by finishing third in the 2005/06 Ulster Senior League
*They are currently in 16th place in AIB League Division One, but have won their last three league and cup games – they reached the cup’s quarter-final stage last season before losing 41-13 away to Cork Constitution
2006/07 AIB League Top Points Scorer: Niall O’Connor 67 points
2006/07 AIB League Top Try Scorer: Chris McCarey 3 tries
Galwegians – Notes: *They have travelled once to Ulster already this season, losing 25-14 to Ballymena in the AIB League
*They played Harlequins on the opening day of the season, running in four tries for a 29-8 victory, but have won only one of their last five league fixtures
*They have lost their last seven league matches away in Ulster and are currently eighth in the table
*They beat Dungannon 40-3 at home in the first round on January 13
*The reigning Connacht Senior League champions, they are the only Connacht club left in this season’s AIB Cup quarter-finals – they reached the same stage last season before losing 23-6 at home to Buccaneers
2006/07 AIB League Top Points Scorer: Paddy O’Toole 34 points
2006/07 AIB League Top Try Scorer: Conor McPhillips 6 tries