Adam Craig is relishing a busy day - hoping to lead Sullivan Upper to the Schools’ Cup quarter-finals this morning before a drive to Dublin as Ballynahinch face St Mary’s across the AIL top flight.

St Mary’s are second while Hinch sit seventh in the All Ireland League table.

“It’s a busy day and I’m really excited about it,” said Craig. “Cup in the morning then down the road to Dublin for St Mary’s and, hopefully, picking up two victories.

“These are the days that you want to be involved in...the Schools’ Cup is the pinnacle of the schools’ game and we’re certainly excited to enter in at the last 16 round, plus it is nice to be a home.

placeholder image — Ballynahinch's Ben Moxham. (Photo by Stephen Davison/Pacemaker)

“The St Mary’s game...we’re excited about playing someone sitting up at the top of the table that put one over on us at home so, hopefully, we are going to go down there and do a job.”

Despite losing their last four AIL games, Craig feels the players haven’t been too far away.

“The last few games the results have probably been a little bit disappointing...we have been playing first, second and third in the league and then obviously we flipped the reverse to those fixtures,” said Craig. “But we've been in the fight for most of the games, which is what we want.

“The two Clontarf games...we were leading there up until the 72nd and 73rd minute, we just have to make sure we keep a composure for the whole game and don't let it slip.

“St Mary’s are a fantastic side, they've obviously signed really well over the last couple of years and brought in a lot of ex-professional rugby players, they've got a lot of good coaches down there and we have a lot of respect for them.

"But certainly they are a team we will feel like we have the tools to get at so we'll hopefully put those together for Saturday and come away with a win.”

The Hinch backline includes Ethan McIlroy, Ben Moxham playing his first game in 13 months and Aaron Sexton.

“The backline has a lot of talent in it and, hopefully, the weather will allow us to play some rugby,” said Craig. “We always endeavour to see where the space is and take the ball there, I think we are going to be moved onto the 3G pitch at Terenure so hopefully that surface will suit us.

“t's great to see a guy like Ethan play...he obviously played in the Senior Cup final for us I'm sure it was nice for him to get a win with Ballynahinch, the family have been about the rugby club for a while.

“I'm sure there's a lot of pride for him in pulling on a Ballynahinch jersey and getting back to full match sharpness so he can push on for a white jersey for Ulster.”

Craig knows a run of wins could propel Hinch back into the play-offs.

“I think this league is fairly tight this year, I think if you speak to any of the coaches they'll feel the standard is probably the highest it's been across all the teams,” he said. “Two wins in two games will leave you in a really good place, two losses in two games will obviously make you start looking downwards...we've got a couple of games coming up at home we'll really target.”

In Division 2A, Banbridge host Ballymena and Dungannon welcome Old Crescent.

In 2B, Clogher Valley host Skerries, Rainey entertain Buccaneers and Malone travel to UL Boh’s.

Ballyclare face Malahide in 2C, with Belfast Harlequins at Bective.