The Energia All Ireland League returns this weekend after a brief two-week break. With just three games remaining until the Top 4 begin their semi-finals, there are still some huge matches still to be played.
League leaders Greystones face Galway Corinthians while Belfast Harlequins will be eager to remain inside the Top 4 with a win over Ballina.
Ballina v Belfast Harlequins, Saturday 26th March, Heffernan Park, 2:30pm.
The Deramore Park outfit are sitting in third place in the standings but a win could see them move to within three points of leaders Greystones if results elsewhere go their way. Quins find themselves in a great run of form after defeating Blackrock College 23-20 last time out. Ballina find themselves in 9th position with just two wins all season and they will be keen to end their campaign strongly.
Malahide v Sligo, Saturday 26th March, Estuary Road, 2:30pm.
Malahide is a side in form with four wins in their previous five games. That lone defeat fell at the hands of fifth placed Wanderers last time out. Sligo began the campaign as early promotion favourites alongside the likes of Greystones and Blackrock College. Sadly, for the Connacht side, their form has slumped in recent weeks and are now almost mathematically out of the running for promotion and sitting in sixth place.
Galway Corinthians v Greystones, Saturday 26th March, Corinthian Park, 2:30pm.
The clash of the weekend comes at Corinthian Park where it’s first versus second. Corinthians have been a side that have kept pressure on Paul Lennon’s side throughout the campaign and a bonus point win will see them move within two points of the once run-away leaders. Stones have welcomed No.8 Danny Kenny back to the side after injury and top try scorer Ferdia Kenny also returns for the Dr.Hickey Park outfit.
Dungannon v Wanderers, Saturday 26th March, Stevenson Park, 2:30pm.
The Chaps will be eager to get back into the top four and a win over Dungannon could do that for the side from the capital. Wanderers beat Malahide 45-15 last time out to seal an important bonus point victory while Dungannon fell to a disappointing loss away to bottom side Galwegians. Dungannon find themselves in seventh place and will be hoping to end the season with a decent run of form.
Blackrock College v Galwegians, Saturday 26th March, Stradbrook, 2:30pm
Rock remains well in the hunt for promotion and will be confident of beating Wegians this weekend. Blackrock have won 9 of their opening 15 games this season while Galwegians have won just two of theirs. Rock fell to a narrow and disappointing loss against Belfast Harlequins last time out which saw their promotion rivals leapfrog them in the table.
Luke Delaney
Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.