Both of tomorrow's protagonists won the first of their three round robin matches last weekend, Portadown by a bonus point-earning 24-10 margin in Galway against Connacht champions, Monivea, and Kildare by beating their guests from Munster, Cashel, by a slender 10-5.

Those results mean Portadown lead the group of four going into the second of the three matches. Simultaneously, Cashel and Monivea will do battle at Spafield in County Tipperary.

Pointing to the fact that last Saturday's showdown in Connacht had been particularly bruising, Portadown coach, Hika Reid is predicting another equally hard match against Leinster rugby's junior champions.

"Monivea said Saturday's match was the hardest they'd been involved in for a very long time," he said. "That cuts both ways. Our guys were pretty sore, too, believe me. We picked up a lot of bumps and bruises. There was nobody hiding out there.

"Before the game Jonny Holden was the one member of the side who said he wanted to play in the Towns' Cup final on Easter Monday. He changed his mind afterwards, though. He pulled out, too, because he was too sore to play so soon afterwards."

And flanker, Alistair Scott, was unable to train on Tuesday night, such was his continuing discomfort in the aftermath of the Monivea battle. He will be fit to face Kildare, however.

Switching his focus to tomorrow's match, the Portadown coach said, "Kildare are very mobile and, like us, they like to move the ball. But before you can do that, first you have to win it. So I'm expecting another very tough battle up front.

"They have a left winger who scored two tries last weekend against Cashel. But we've a winger who can do a bit of damage, too; Nicky Jackson has scored 27 tries this season, which is magnificent.

"The try he got at Monivea - our fourth and the one that gave us the bonus point - was down to sheer strength and determination. He bulldozed his way through a tiny gap. He'd no space to work in, but somehow he made it through."

The coach and players alike are committed to serving up a memorable performance in front of their own supporters.

"The instructions will be straightforward - stick to the game plan, make your tackles and take your chances," Reid added.