Harry Williams has resigned his position as coach to Bective Rangers. The former Ireland A coach cited personal reasons for his decision to step down just two games into the new season. "I don't really want to discuss the matter other than to say that I have resigned for personal reasons," he said. Williams confirmed that he had "no immediate plans at the moment."
Bective have made a poor start in Division Two of the AIB League losing both their opening fixtures and finding themselves propping up the table. Director of rugby Ben Kealy admitted that he was saddened by Williams's departure. "I think it is very unfortunate. We did not want to lose a man of his calibre. I couldn't persuade him to stay and that was disappointing." The Donnybrook team face tough times ahead, starting with Saturday's trip to Cork where they take on UCC, a task they must perform without former rugby league player Phelim Commerford, who has hernia problems. Ryan O'Donnell deputises.
While Bective face a bleak Christmas, three-times champions Shannon are full of festive cheer after extracting maximum points from their first two outings in Division One.
They make just one change for Clontarf's visit, Jason Hayes is preferred to Billy O'Shea at full back. The north Dublin club can hardly relish facing a side that rattled up 50 points without reply against Old Crescent - the latter were unlucky to lose to Clontarf in the opening week of the season.
Crescent have announced that former supremo Jed O'Dwyer will resume the coaching duties from second row Len Dinneen, who acted as player-coach when the club parted company with New Zealander Peter Eglington before the season started.
Cork Constitution reshuffle their back line for the trip to Rosbrien on Sunday. Matthew McLoughlin comes in at full back, Kenny Murphy switches to the left wing with John Kelly moving to the centre. Niall Murray loses out. In the pack, Ian Murray replaces Philip Soden with Jerry Murray's return offsetting the loss of Ultan O'Callaghan through injury.
Mary's have been left to rue the cost of 80 minutes' rugby at Lakelands last Saturday in more ways than one. Aside from losing to Terenure, they suffered a litany of injuries. Half-backs Conor McGuinness (stress fracture), Craig Fitzpatrick (broken thumb) and John McWeeney (hamstring) are definitely out, while Trevor Brennan, Mark Reilly and Emmet Byrne are very doubtful.
Terenure did not escape unscathed with hard-running left wing David Coleman receiving a bad ankle injury that will keep him out until well into the new year. They have delayed selection for Sunday's game against Lansdowne pending a fitness report on Paul Hennebry. Their opponents are also awaiting medical guidance on injuries to Leinster captain Kurt McQuilkin and promising young centre Shane Horgan.
Blackrock are unchanged for their journey to Stevenson Park. Dungannon have left a vacancy in the back row pending a report on Paul Curry. Garryowen, Old Belvedere, Dolphin and Young Munster won't release teams until later in the week.
In Division Two, DLSP are hoping that Leinster interprovincial Declan O'Brien will be fit to resume at blind-side flanker. Dave Owens will once again deputise if O'Brien is ruled out. Ciaran O'Molloy keeps his place in the front row for DLSP's trip to Skerries. The home side are unchanged from that which was narrowly defeated by Wanderers last weekend.
Old Wesley welcome back out-half Paul Allen after illness, Simon Mitchell switches to the wing, with Colin Younger dropping out because of injury. Mark O'Driscoll takes over from the injured Chris Pratt in the back row.
