With just three rounds of the regular season left in the AIL, the title race in 1A is starting to heat up, Cork Con meet Terenure in the game of the weekend. Ballynahinch need to beat Lansdowne to keep their hopes alive to make a semi-final. At the bottom City Of Armagh and Shannon meet in a big relegation battle.
Ballynahinch v Lansdowne, Saturday March 23rd, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm
With Hinch just outside of the title picture, Lansdowne not only stand in their way for points this weekend but sit seven ahead in the title. A real eight pointer is in store in Ballymacarn Park.
The Ulsterside have fought well throughout the campaign and are still going to fight till the very end to make the 1A semi finals. Despite losing last time out to Shannon they still are in the race, a mixed run of form in their last five has kept them just off the pace.
Lansdowne will know Hinch are the main threat from stopping them making a semi final this season, if they can take the spoils then they are assured of that spot in the semi finals, depending on the way bonus points sit in this contest. 11 clear with a win and with just 10 points left in the season, Hinch need bonus points if they suffer defeat to remain in the hunt.
City Of Armagh v Shannon, Saturday March 23rd, Palace Grounds, 2:30pm
Survival is the aim of the game as City of Armagh and Shannon lock horns in Palace Grounds, both locked in the relegation battle hoping to out muscle the other this weekend.
Score difference is keeping City Of Armagh safe for the time being, while they have a negative score difference it is proving a valuable asset right now. As they face the side beneath them they have to win to put some breathing room in place.
The Armagh men have lost their last three games and face a Shannon side off the back of a win against Hinch hoping to propel their way to safety. Shannon were in the same situation last year and had to fight in the play-offs, a win here would further their hopes of automatic survival.
Cork Constitution v Terenure College, Saturday March 23rd, Temple Hill, 2:30pm
A massive game is in store in Temple Hill, second hosting third as reigning Champions Terenure face Cork Con.
Cork Con sit second in the standings and two points off being the top seed ahead of this year’s semi-finals. The Leesiders are unbeaten since the start of the new year and will look to increase that record against Terenure this weekend, increasing their odds of a home semi final.
Nure also have an impressive winning streak and will not want that to end anytime soon. This weekend could mark a tenth straight win in the top Division as they look to nail down a home semi-final and defend their crown this season. A real meeting of the Super Heavyweights in this one.
UCD v Clontarf, Saturday March 23rd, Belfield, 2:30pm
Leaders Clontarf are hopeful of keeping up some strong momentum in these final weeks as they meet fellow Dubliners UCD in Belfield.
UCD mathematically are not safe from a relegation battle. Seven points ahead of City Of Armagh and Shannon, they could easily fall into that battle this weekend if they drop points. Trinity and Shannon both offer a challenge in the coming weeks that can determine whether they stay up or find themselves in the drop zone. A win here will go a long way.
Tarf meanwhile are the number 1 seed as last year’s beaten finalists are out to avenge that this year. The Bulls have won their last three games in this competition and are hopeful of adding more wins to their record in these coming weeks to make next month’s decider.
Young Munster v Dublin University, Saturday March 23rd, Tom Clifford Park, 2:30pm
It is a must win scenario for Trinity if they are to avoid the drop, five points from safety it is their hands to beat a Young Munster side with little to play for.
The Cookies are 14 points from the drop and also cannot fight for the title so it looks like a mid table finish is on the cards, they will want to win this game in front of their home supporters and build for the campaign next term.
Trinity cannot afford to slip up here, with Shannon and City of Armagh in a battle elsewhere they have the chance to claw back the deficit to one or both of those teams depending on the result elsewhere. Beating City of Armagh last time out will give them the confidence to end this year on a high point and survive.
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.