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BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Ulster aiming for play-off spot in Interpros
Ulster head coach Murray Houston says that his side are aiming for a play-off position as they begin their Interprovincial Championship against Leinster on side finished fourth in the table last year, drawing one and losing two of their three take on reigning champions Leinster, who they beat in a warm-up game last month, and Houston hopes that result will give his side confidence heading into the fixture at Donnybrook."If we play to our potential, we're looking to get into the play-off position and the final if we get things right, but we have to go prove that," he told BBC Sport NI's Nicola McCarthy."It's going to be a really big battle between us and Leinster. They're going to be a much-changed team from the warm-up fixture, and we have to be ready for that challenge." Contracted players' absence may 'level out the playing field' Sunday's game in Dublin is Ben Martin's first as Leinster boss and with many of their contracted players off on international duty with Ireland ahead of the Rugby World Cup, 13 players are set to make their who has named India Daley as captain upon her return from a long-term knee injury, will give first Ulster starts to Ruby Starrett, Lauren Darley, Georgia Boyce and Paige is hoping that the young players brought in as a result of more senior players gearing up for the World Cup with Ireland, can grasp their chance."We'll be missing some of those contracted players, but it's presented the opportunity for players who otherwise wouldn't have had those opportunities," he said. "In terms of the competition, it might level out the playing field with the players that are available. It's good as a province too, to see the depth and see what our club players' levels are like."Leinster beat Ulster 39-14 at the Kingspan Stadium last year, but Houston believes his side have improved in key areas since that result and are better prepared to challenge."We want to be sharper on our transitions, when we lose the ball and we've had a big emphasis on our contact skills, particularly around the breakdown," he added."That is going to be key battle for us, if we can get that right on the day that will put us in good stead."
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Belfast City Marathon live across BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland will have live coverage of this year's Belfast City Marathon across BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster and on the BBC Sport NI website. This year's event expects to see the biggest number of participants with more than 22,000 runners taking part – the largest number in its 43 year history. The BBC coverage starts at 8.50am with presenter Nicola McCarthy meeting some of the runners at the start line at Stormont and later in the day at the finish line in Ormeau Park. Live coverage ends at 2pm. Anne-Marie Wallace, David O'Reilly, Steven Rainey will be at various points of the course catching up with supporters, runners and volunteers while Mark Simpson is joined on commentary alongside former Commonwealth runner, Katie Kirk and John Glover from Athletics NI. Across the five hours of live coverage there will also be stories featuring some of those taking part including the County Antrim Harriers who are one of the oldest running clubs in NI, Fivemiletown Primary School and many others who are running on the day to raise money for charities close to their hearts. And for the first time, this year, friends, family, colleagues and supporters of those taking part will be able to upload messages of encouragement to be heard on air by searching online for BBC Radio Ulster Marathon Messages. KM2
