New ambition facing old nous

A LACK of professionals and contracts does not mean an absence of ambition. In Division Four, there is a lot at stake for clubs who want to stretch themselves.

Four of the sides Suttonians, Ballynahinch, Creggs and Richmond - are all dipping their noses in the AIL trough for the first time having won their qualifying leagues in the respective provinces. Five of last year's top division four clubs have been promoted, leaving only Armagh, Sligo, Ballina, Ards and CIYMS who know anything about the taste of Division Four rugby.

Theoretically, that should put CIYMS and Ards in strong positions, as they both finished on six points last year and just missed out on the promotion places.

But dismiss the debutantes at your peril. Many clubs canvassed have already added Leinster's Suttonians, who have won the Leinster junior league for the past three seasons, and Ulster's Ballynahinch as other sides to watch. Neither club particularly likes been hoisted up on a pedestal before a ball has been kicked, but there is some justification for it.

The Ulster team have already beaten City of Derry and Instonians and have drawn with Malone. They have also defeated CIYMS and Armagh. A home game against Limerick's Richmond at Ballymacaran Park in this weekend's opening match is likely to be a forward battle.

Richmond have recruited five players from other Munster junior clubs and see their first game as a crunch match. Followed up by another critical test at home against Suttonians, Richmond will be able to see the shape of their campaign even before Christmas.

Richmond, who claim to play a typical `Munster style' of rugby, were unbeaten in their Munster junior league campaign last season.

CIYMS are taking a low key but sensible attitude towards the new era. Lashing out money to attract players is outside their capabilities so they refuse to get into the market. They intend to build up the club and grounds in a structured way rather than hastily diving in. As a result, their ambitions have to be tempered, despite the fact that they too have been suggested as a side who could end up in the final shake-up. Last year's placing would seem to suggest that this. club know exactly what they are doing.

Armagh have had a difficult Ulster League campaign and will worry about their prospects.