Enniskillen Head Coach Stevie Welsh is aiming for history on Saturday as Skins look to make it through to the last four of the All Ireland Junior Cup when they host Ballyclare at Mullaghmeen.

This is a cup that Skins have been keen to play in for a number of years, and having reached the quarter-finals they want to progress further.

“This is something that two or three years ago there was a big focus among the boys to get into this All Ireland Cup, and it was driving some of the older boys on,” said Welsh.

“Already we have done something that we hadn’t done, which is get to the quarter-final of it, but I know what this team is like on a cup run – they get the bit between the teeth, and to make a bit of history would be fantastic.

“To say you are one of the top four teams in Junior rugby in Ireland would be unbelievable for a wee country club like ours, and it definitely gives us a good incentive to go and try and win on Saturday.”

Indeed, Welsh says that there was a buzz among the players during training on Tuesday night.

“We have just finished training and it was nice and sharp, everybody was focused and there was a good bite to it.

“There is definitely a buzz about the place. I think the boys are also looking forward to a home game, because it has been a while,” he added.

In terms of injury, Matty Dane has been ruled out for Skins, but a couple of others are set to shake off knocks to take their place.

“Mark O’Shea had an elbow injury but he came through training, and Michael Rooney hurt his ankle, but we’ll nurse him this week and he should be good for Saturday.

“Unfortunately, though, Matty Dane picked up a concussion in the last game and with the protocol, that will be him out for a few weeks.

“It’s a shame, because he has really grown as a leader at 9, and is a popular member of the squad, but that is the nature of the beast and we’ll just move on from there,” said Welsh.

Ballyclare and Enniskillen have been regular opponents in cup competitions and Welsh is expecting another tight contest.

“We seem to get Ballyclare in a couple of cups every year so we know them well and it will be a close call.

“I know we haven’t done as well in the last couple of encounters, but if you look at the three years before that in cup games, whether it was finals, semi-finals or quarters, we have turned up and played and they couldn’t cope with us.

“It will be a tight one on Saturday, no doubt, and I think whoever makes the least mistakes and maybe is the bravest will win it.”

And he knows it will take a big performance to come through on Saturday.

“It is a big game and we will have to have everyone from 1-20 right on the money, and totally focused, and go at them because Ballyclare are a quality team.

“But I fully back the boys – if they turn up and play, they will get over the line,” added Welsh.