Cloughan men ranked outsiders for Towns' Cup

BALLYCLARE will be rated as rank outsiders in this weekend's Towns' Cup clash with City of Derry.

Not only are the Derry men a top Qualifying League Section 1 and former All Ireland League (AIL) outfit, but they also have home advantage in this first round tie.

After having been relegated from the AIL a couple of season ago, they came within a whisker of returning to the big time last season, so they will start as odds-on favourites against Colly Morrow's men.

The long-range weather forecast indicates that the pitches throughout Northern Ireland will be frost-bound again this weekend, but weather permitting Ballyclare are likely to select from: Byers, P Morrow, Weatherup, Baird, Jackson, McKnight, Russell, C Morrow (C), Henderson, Smith, Wylie, Montgomery, Boyd, McKinstry, Coburn, Moore, Logan, Armstrong, Heaney, Wright.

The 3rd XV are scheduled to make the long trip across the Border to play Inishowen, while the 4th XV may have a McCambley Cup tie to fulfil.

The only fixture down for decision last weekend was the 4th XV's away Minor League game against Ulster Titans, but this one was postponed because of frozen ground conditions.

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