Things are really heating up in the top Division of the AIL as home semi-final seeding is very much the thoughts of the top four, while at the bottom, City of Armagh and Shannon are locked in a battle for safety.
Ballynahinch v Dublin University, Saturday February 17th, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm
Ballynahinch will look to keep their hopes of a spot in the top four alive if they can overcome Trinity this weekend.
Hinch have had a rocky run of results in recent weeks, unable to put a string of wins together since the new year, three wins and two losses in their last five as kept them adrift of Terenure, they will want to cut the gap in these coming weeks.
Trinity are eight behind Shannon as things stand at the foot of the table, with just five games left including this weekend the race for survival is on. Just one win this entire season, they came so close to making it two wins last weekend and will want to get over the line this weekend.
City Of Armagh v Clontarf, Saturday February 17th, Palace Grounds, 2:30pm
Just sat outside the drop zones, City of Armagh will fight to pull away this weekend as they host the Division leaders this weekend.
Chris Parker’s side have taken just one win in their last five games and with just a few games left, need to turn the tide to stay at the top table for another year. Tarf won the reverse tie 35-17 and it could well be another defeat unless City of Armagh can overcome last year’s runners up.
Tarf remain as the top seed in 1A and will aim to stay there as we pause for a week break. Despite hitting a rough patch last month suffering consecutive defeats they put on a show last weekend on home soil and will aim to replicate that as they head to Armagh.
Cork Constitution v Shannon, Saturday February 17th, Temple Hill, 2:30pm
A game concerning matters at both ends of the table as title chasing Cork Con host relegation threatened Shannon in a Munster Derby.
Con are on a four game winning streak looking to make it five straight wins this weekend, sitting in second place they have been a strong contender for the title all season and look to keep that momentum going at home to Shannon.
The visitors are in need of points, two losing bonus points would be enough to put them eight should City of Armagh fail to take points from Tarf. Shannon are winless in five games and with the same amount left of this season, they need to turn it around or risk the play-offs for consecutive seasons.
Lansdowne v Terenure College, Saturday February 17th, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, 2:30pm
A massive all Dublin affair between two heavyweights in the shadow of the Aviva Stadium, holders Terenure taking on Lansdowne.
Lansdowne are separated by just three points on score difference from Con in the standings, should both take wins this weekend it would make for interesting viewing for those seedings in the coming weeks, Lansdowne are ten clear of fifth place and with Terenure right behind, they will not want to squander their place.
Nure have been on the upward curve over the last few weeks and when it looked like they were struggling to make it to that fourth placed spot they have absolutely shone in recent weeks. Seven straight wins, the side in red hot form coming into this weekend’s action, looking to claim another important win against a side looking to take the title away from them.
Young Munster v UCD, Saturday February 17th, Tom Clifford Park, 2:30pm
With the top four a little far away for both sides, Young Munster and UCD will aim to finish in the mid table places in the coming weeks and secure their safety for another season.
The Cookies have lost their last two fixtures and back in Tom Clifford Park, will look to put those away defeats behind them. Having finished fourth last year the side has struggled to replicate that form, but can build for next season should they nail down their safety.
UCD are in a similar position but had just four points between them and the drop last season, they are in seventh as things stand and want to further that gap between them and City of Armagh.
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.