It remains a tough landscape in the top four of Division 1A of the Energia All Ireland League, with home semi-finals now the aim in these coming weeks. Clontarf meeting Cork Con is a game of the weekend contender, while Lansdowne and Young Munster is a real eight pointer as both look to press for top four.
City Of Armagh v Terenure College, Saturday February 15th, Palace Grounds, 2:30pm
A tale of two teams at opposite ends of the table, points for the hosts strengthens their hopes of staying outside the relegation zone, while Terenure are chasing a home semi-final.
Chris Parker’s men suffered their eight defeat of the season last weekend, and with UCD closing the gap, are under more pressure to deliver points in these final rounds. Home form was a monkey in the back until they bested Young Munster in Round 12, and eye up home and away wins over Nure.
Four points was the difference in the reverse tie, with Armagh winning 30-26 in the end. Nure did leave big winners last January, a 37-13 result. Sean Skehan’s men are out to keep their unbeaten run going, and could stretch it to eight unbeaten with a result on Saturday.
Clontarf v Cork Constitution, Saturday February 15th, Castle Avenue, 2:30pm
Two heavyweights meetings in Castle Avenue will leave no shortage in entertainment on Saturday, Cork Con have been on an upward curve but face a tough battle away to third placed Clontarf.
Tarf dropping points to Young Munster last weekend saw them drop to third in the table, and with everyone wanting to secure a home semi-final, every point matters in these final rounds. Add that defeat could well open the door to teams like Ballynahinch and Lansdowne and Young Munster to knock on the door for fourth spot.
While Tarf saw their first defeat in four games last weekend, Con have not lost since the reverse tie back at the end of October. Jonny Holland’s charges have built an eight game unbeaten streak and will be hungry to keep that going and avenge that late 20-16 defeat on home soil in the reverse tie.
Garryowen v Ballynahinch, Saturday February 15th, Dooradoyle, 2:30pm
One team looking to stay up, the other chasing a semi-final place, four points goes a long way for their respective seasons.
Garryowen are still chasing a win since the opening round of the campaign, and with ten points to make up to UCD in ninth, and 12 to City Of Armagh in eight, they need a win this weekend.
Hinch on the other hand will hope one of Tarf or Mary’s slip up this weekend and some points here would help close the gap for a top four finish. Conor Rankin continues to perform week in and week out for the Ulster side, and will look to replicate his strong kicking performance in the 33-7 win over Garryowen in October.
Lansdowne v Young Munster, Saturday February 15th, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, 2:30pm
A big opportunity for both to get a result and continue to stake their claim for a top four place. Lansdowne and Young Munster have had some mixed results, but a win here can go a long way.
The hosts delivered in Ballymacarn Park last weekend, Juan Beukes with a pair of tries in a 24-21 win over Hinch. A return to winning ways for them and with a tough block of games, they will want to deliver some results to mount a semi-final charge.
The Cookies also bounced back from a previous defeat last time out on home soil, and they will aim to replicate that clinical performance from October’s 36-21 win, to keep them in the fight. March of 2023 was the last time they won here, Lansdowne took the spoils in a 29-14 result back in October of last season.
St Mary’s College v UCD, Saturday February 15th, Templeville Road, 2:30pm
From one Dublin derby to another, St Mary’s look for points this weekend, after slipping up to rivals Terenure. Off the back of a win last weekend, UCD will fancy their chances of delivering more points.
Mary’s are in uncharted waters as for the first time this season, they are looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats. Mark McHugh’s charges still bring a serious threat despite a dip in form, Conor Hayes was an inspired performer last time out with 19 of their 24 points coming from their talented full-back.
UCD lost by eight points in the reverse meeting, and can take a lot from that contest. The students will have confidence off the back of the win over Garryowen last weekend, and having closed that gap to Armagh, could well jump them in the standings, results depending.
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.