Enniscorthy’s Rugby Club Seniors begin life in AIL Division 2B next Saturday when they make the long journey to East Belfast to play Malone. It will be new territory for them having secured promotion from 2C last season winning their final match against Belfast Harlequins which was really rewarding because they had lost their opening 4 matches and also losing their Captain Tony Ryan through injury for the later half of the season. Ryan had returned to his native club after 10 years with Clontarf and has been a massive presence. His leadership qualities and his experience of having played at the top of Division 1A presence was significant in gaining promotion. He has recovered from his knee injury and his leadership and playing qualities will be a boost but he may miss the 1st few matches as he doesn’t want to rush back. 

The squad has been boosted by the return of some local players who had come through the underage system. 20 year old Lawrence Power, Marco Byrne and Conal Kervick. Fred Hemmingway is also a new recruit. Ben Kidd is back after missing last season through injury. James Doyle is also back after missing the latter half of last season when he spent some time in New Zealand. Mickie Nolan is also back after missing the last 2 seasons. David O’Dwyer and Angelo Todisco have retired whilst one of their more influential players Nick Doyle is in Australia along with Liam Stamp. Daniel Pim will also miss most of the campaign after picking up a long-term knee injury.

There are a number of the players still unavailable because of GAA Commitments including Jim White, James Doyle and Fiachra Hourihan. There is also a positive that Bret Igoe returns as head coach and again assisted by Declan O’Brien. 

The opposition on Saturday Malone are a very experienced AIL team having come into the league in the 2001/2002 season and finished 7th in Division 2B last season. They were founded in 1892 by the residents of Malone Park Belfast and have won 50 Cups at all ages in Ulster. Denis McBride, Maurice Field, Neil Best, Tom Court and Chris Henry are notable players who were capped for Ireland.

Enniscorthy will put up a lot of milage with Buccaneers, Clogher Valley, Galwegians, Navan, Skerries Rainey, Sligo and UL Bohemians.

The Match kicks Off at 2.30pm.