1A is back for a blockbuster round 15 of action this weekend, the relegation battle heats up at the foot of the table while Lansdowne and Cork Con meet in the game of the weekend in the race for top four.
Clontarf v Young Munster, Saturday March 2nd, Castle Avenue, 2:30pm
With semi-final placement very much on their mind, Clontarf will aim to keep top spot secured this weekend as they welcome Young Munster.
Tarf either way will have a tough semi final ahead unless they capitulate in these final weeks and drop down the order. Points this weekend not only would keep them top depending on how many they score, but also in that promotion hunt. After hitting a rough patch they have settled winning their last two games and look to continue that run this weekend.
With 20 points on offer in these final four games, The Cookies would need all 20 points and hope Ballynahinch and Lansdowne fail to score many points to make those play-off places. It is possible for sure but very much a tough task ahead of them, winning last time out will give them confidence to kick on.
Dublin University v City Of Armagh, Saturday March 2nd, College Park, 2:30pm
A massive eight pointer at the basement end of the table, City of Armagh looking to move further to safety with a win in the capital.
Trinity have taken one win this campaign and with very little time left need to add more wins sooner rather than later. Boy have they come close, while it has added a losing bonus point to their haul, they need to win those close encounters, with their last two fixtures having four point margins or less.
Chris Parker’s charges have found that step up testing at times but have fought in every game to be competitive and cause teams torment, enough to see them sit eight hoping to spend another year at the top table. Armagh have lost their last two meetings and are hopeful of a win to end that this weekend.
Lansdowne v Cork Constitution, Saturday March 2nd, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, 2:30pm
Lansdowne lost ground in the top four race last weekend slipping to fourth, they hope to bounce back with a win over second placed Cork Con in a blockbuster game in 1A.
Little separates those currently in the top four, while Lansdowne can indeed move further up the standings, they have to be cautious as dropping points invites Hinch and even Young Munster to possibly take that spot in the coming weeks.
Cork Con have won their last five games and are in red hot form ahead of this showdown of these two heavyweights. Con won the reverse fixture this season 23-17 but did suffer defeat on their last trip to face Lansdowne at this venue, a blockbuster game that will be tough to call a winner.
Shannon v Ballynahinch, Saturday March 2nd, Thomond Park, 2:30pm
As the relegation battle heats up Shannon will hope to end their losing run and take a big four points this weekend as Ballynahinch provide the opposition on Shannonside.
Losing their last six games, Shannon are a side out of form and will be hopeful of taking something from this game as that gap to Armagh is just two points. It was a hard slog last year for them to stay up in the end, to avoid those play-offs they desperately need a win here and hope Armagh lose to Trinity to out them eight going into the final series of games.
Hinch have eyes up the table, Lansdowne just seven points ahead of them and on paper they looked favoured to take a win in this one. Results have been mixed but they have taken important wins and grinded out a win over Trinity last time out. This could go right down to the wire but Hinch will need to be composed to take the win.
Terenure College v UCD, Saturday March 2nd, Lakelands Park, 2:30pm
Terenure are flying of late and looking to claim a ninth win in succession as they meet UCD in a Dublin derby in Lakelands.
Nure moved to third spot in the last round and if results go in their favour they would move to the summit ahead of those final games before the semi-finals. The current holders have been impressive with the standard of rugby they are producing and at such a crucial point of the season they will not want to lose any momentum.
UCD meanwhile mathematically are not safe, ten clear of Shannon and if both they and Armagh take points this weekend it could move them into that relegation fight. The objective will be to take a win as they have to focus on mid-table as those semi-finals are out of reach. Terenure have been a bogey team in the past losing their last five meetings, that needs to end this weekend.
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.