Carrickfergus Grammar School coach Neal Kennedy predicts his side’s Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup clash against Dalriada School on Saturday will be a “real dogfight”.

The two sides have already met this season, with Carrick going down 31-16 at home, when two late tries for the visitors clinched what previously had been a tight game.

“Saturday’s game is going to be a bit of a dogfight,” said Kennedy, whose side have had an up and down season, losing more games than they have won but also notching up notable victories along the way, for example against Portadown College, Down High School, Jordanhill School from Glasgow and Banbridge Academy.

“I don’t think there will be too many points between the two sides. I am pleased with home advantage but it is going to be a real battle to come out on top because Dalriada are a very good side and their results have reflected that.

“We played them at the end of November and lost 31-16 at home although it was 17-16 down up until the closing minutes of the game and then we conceded two late ones.

“But at least we have had the experience of playing them. I think this is the third time we have drawn them in five years and I am happy with home advantage.

“If we can hit top form I feel we are capable of beating them on the day but we are going to have to play extremely well to do that because they are a good outfit.

The side is captained by Andrew McIlroy, who was the Ulster Under-19s out-half this season and is the heartbeat of the side.

Michael Patterson, the side’s scrum-half, attended the summer training camp at Clongowes.

Kennedy, who played for Ulster Schools Under-19s last year, openside flanker Will Johnston, and had missed most of the season having broken his leg in the first game, is hoping to be fit for the game.

The side’s top-try scorer Adam Moore, an outside centre, has also been out with a knee injury and is a major doubt for the cup game.

Dalriada meanwhile have been benefiting from the coaching knowledge of former Ulster star and European Cup winner Tony McWhirter.

McWhirter, who played in a cup final for Dalriada back is a

dentist based in Ballymoney nowadays. But the former No 8 has devoted many hours of his week to lead the coaching set-up this season along with Richard Hunter and Richard Millar.

Captained by openside flanker TJ McCaw, who has been part of the Ulster U18 Development Squad, Dalriada also boast representative players in Roger Bonnar (2nd Row) U16 Ulster Development Squad, Jonathan McLaughlin (Centre) U17 Ulster Development Squad and Ben Henderson (Out-Half) U17 Ulster Development Squad.

And their results before Christmas of played 14, won 10 suggests they will be a real handful in this season’s competition.

“We played Carrick away, on November 22 winning 31-16,” said director of rugby Peter Davidson.

“It was a tough encounter and we expect this game to be much closer.

“We hope to get into the latter stages of the competition this year alot depends on the draw and avoiding injuries!”