Hinch target Galwegians scalp in Bateman Cup

Derek Suffern’s men had a comprehensive 33-16 win over the Connacht side last Saturday in the league at Ballymacarn Park but are affected by representative call-ups.

Hinch are the only Ulster club to win the cup in its current guise after the competition was reinvented in 2006.

The Co Down side beat Cork Con 17-6 in the 2009 decider and lost narrowly in last year’s semi final at home to Clontarf.

“We’re looking forward to it after our win over them on Saturday, there is now less pressure after that result and with Ulster A taking players it’s a chance for a few others to get a game,” said Suffern.

“We also see it as an opportunity for a few of the local club guys to play on this stage and to see how they fare at All-Ireland level but we’re up for it - after all it’s a semi-final and a chance to play in an All-Ireland final.

“Last year, Clontarf pipped us at our place. It’s not one of our deliberate targets though we did target the Senior Cup final.”

Hinch have won two of their last three AIL games and Suffern is hoping they can maintain their recent good run, which also included beating Ballymena in the Ulster Senior Cup final.

“It’s an opportunity after beating Galwegians but it’s going to be tricky going down there even though they are being hit by Connacht Eagles,” he said.

Hinch are without forwards John Donnan, Peter Browne, Connor Joyce and Lorcan Dow, who all start for Ulster A on Friday night.

Ruaidhri Murphy, Jonny Murphy, Jonny Simpson and Paul Rowley are all on the bench.

Johnny Blair, Zack McCall and Craig Trenier start in the front row, John Madden and James Simpson are in the engine room.

David McGuigan, Paul Pritchard and Michael Graham complete the pack.

Aaron Cairns is with the Irish 7s squad and Blane McIlroy has returned to America, so Chris Gibson is at scrum half with Richard Reaney at No10.