Ballyclare ‘fun place’ for year’s AIL home wrap-up derby date against Belfast Harlequins
Mike Orchin-McKeever wants Ballyclare to bring the feelgood factor generated from last week’s win into their final home All Ireland League game of the year against Ulster rivals Belfast Harlequins at the Cloughan.
That victory in the clash of the bottom two put Ballyclare eight points clear of Malahide and they are three points behind today’s visitors, who sit sixth.
“It is absolutely huge for the club, our community and sideline support is incredible,” said coach Orchin-McKeever. “They've stuck with us very well during a lot of losses, which they haven't been used to...when the crowd at Ballyclare get behind us, it generally gives a strong lift to the players.
“There's a lot of Christmas joy for people to reconnect on the sideline but the other thing is Christmas can be a tough time for some too...what makes Ballyclare special is the way we look after each other, it's a fun place.”
“It's where we connect, it's a real community spirit...everybody looks out for each other.
“It's needed for everybody on the sideline, it gives them an event to come out and be part of, rugby is the focal point, but I guess there are things to look forward to post-match.”
The win at Malahide was only Ballyclare’s second of the campaign. But with the crippling injury list getting shorter, Orchin-McKeever is hoping his players have turned the corner.
“It's no secret we've been stretched with injuries recently, having Alex Darragh back at out half helped us last week massively,” he said. “Joel McBride, two consecutive games on the bounce, returning to 13 offers real stability from what we've looked like over previous seasons.
“Jack Gamble’s leading the team superbly, he's a brilliant player and he's taken on the challenge of playing out of position...he's a very versatile player, but he's taken that challenge on really well.
"I think a more settled nucleus of a team gives you a stronger chance of a better performance output, definitely.
“Our performances have been strong, we've been very unfortunate in a few game-deciding decisions from our own type of play.
"But it's been a great learning outcome for them, that's part of the challenge and we're embracing it.
“As far as the league goes, Saturday brings us to the halfway point in the league.
"Then we get to reassess who's where and what opportunities are available in the second set of nine games.”
Quins is one of the clubs Orchin-McKeever played for before moving into coaching.
“A club that we've played regularly over the years, from pre-season fixtures to Ulster Senior League and Shield fixtures and All-Ireland last year, it goes without saying, it's a cliché derby form goes out the window,” he said. “You could say anything could happen.
"But the reality is these games are special and they bring a lot more hype.
"We know exactly what Harlequins can bring.
"But, ultimately, our focus will be on ourselves to play a better structured game by us.”
In Division 2A, Banbridge host Greystones while there is an Ulster derby at Stevenson Park as promotion-chasing Dungannon face Ballymena.
An Ulster derby in 2B has second-placed Malone travel to Rainey, plus Clogher Valley entertain Buccaneers.