The AIL is back this weekend and where do you start in 1A as we pick up for a repeat of the pre Christmas round nine run of fixtures, Lansdowne and UCD once again kick it all off on Friday evening.
Lansdowne v UCD, Friday January 12th, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, 8pm
The Friday night lights will illuminate the Aviva Stadium Back Pitch as Lansdowne go in search of retribution from their defeat to UCD and continue a push for the top four.
Lansdowne are a strong side and were beaten 44-40 in Belfield on the 15th of December, they need to show their mental fortitude to get them over the line and recover from that setback this weekend. With two wins in their last five, Lansdowne certainly need to kick on at the start of the second half of the season if they are to challenge for the title later this year.
UCD were full value for that performance before Christmas and will have lofty ambitions of replicating that as they travel a short distance to HQ. After back to back defeats it was just the spark they needed to pull further away from the drop zones. Three wins in total from their last five and with a strong showing from Michael Moloney who has inspired UCD this year, they can have a great shot at winning this one.
Ballynahinch v City of Armagh, Saturday January 13th, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm
Ulster derby day at Ballymacarn Park and for Hinch they know a win here could prove vital in getting them into the title picture at the start of 2024.
Hinch took the bragging rights and with it kept Terenure under pressure in fourth spot as the race begins for the title. Coming out 29-18 winners, they showcased a skillset that Armagh failed to match and will be hopeful that can be the case again this weekend. Ballynahinch have only tasted defeat once in their last five meetings and that came on home soil, could that be the case this weekend.
City of Armagh do find themselves in need of the points as they bid to claw their way out of the relegation places this weekend, Chris Parker’s charges have found that step up difficult to the top table but still cannot be underestimated. Champions last year they have some serious pedigree and on their day can match up to any side. Can they turn the season around at the start of 2024 with a big derby win.
Cork Constitution v Young Munster, Saturday January 13th, Temple Hill, 2:30pm
After a heart breaking Bateman Cup defeat last weekend, Young Munster are back to 1A action this weekend and face a tricky away trip in a Munster Derby with Cork Con.
Cork Con did suffer defeat in that opening meeting between the two back in December and will want to rectify that defeat as they face on home soil this weekend. Losing ground to Clontarf and that all converted top spot in the Division, they will now want to suffer a further defeat here as Lansdowne and Terenure are all waiting to pass them by.
The Cookies had another final defeat last weekend but can they make it up by closing the gap to a top four place. Going down 22-15 was heart-breaking for the Cookies as they threw everything at winning a coveted piece of silverware. Munsters are in great form in 1A winning all four of their last four encounters and despite that setback will be looking forward to locking horns with their Cork opponents this weekend.
Shannon v Clontarf, Saturday January 13th, Thomond Park, 2:30pm
Can Shannon be the first team to overcome Clontarf this weekend or will Tarf continue their impressive run at the summit of the 1A standings.
Shannon are three points from the drop zone and need a result here to ease their worries google forward into the second half of the season. One win in their last five which came at this very venue, they are a side not in great form, still you cannot underestimate Shannon as they will prove a sticky opponent for anyone in this Division.
Clontarf romped to a 38-21 win in Castle Avenue to celebrate Christmas firmly seeded as the number one side in 1A, winning eight and drawing one of their nine games, they have set the pace and will no doubt be looking to continue that impressive feat this weekend. Dylan Donnellan brings a huge try threat for the visitors and his fruitful nature could see the floodgates open on Shannonside.
Terenure College v Dublin University, Saturday January 13th, Lakelands Park, 2:30pm
Bateman Cup Champions for 2024, can Terenure now drive on and reclaim their 1A title as the weeks tick by until we head to the finals of 1A.
Terenure are not entirely secured a spot in 1A with Hinch just behind applying serious pressure, the side are full of quality and despite the likes of Caolan Dooley and Conall Boomer both departing for the States, they still possess some serious calibre of players to get them over the line in games, as we seen last weekend. Winning 31-14 over Trinity last time out they will be confident of winning the repeat this weekend.
Rooted to the bottom of the table, Trinity badly need points going into 2024 if they are to remain at the top table come next season. Nine straight defeats with their only points coming from bonus points, it had not been an ideal start to the campaign by their standards. While they have had some bitter defeats separated by just a handful of points, they have had some performances to build on, will that break have given them the chance to focus and start fresh in 2024 we will have to wait and see.
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Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.