Clontarf aim to remain the only side unbeaten in 1A as we approach round 5 of the season. Battles for top four and to escape the bottom half of the table complete the weekend line-up.
Clontarf v City of Armagh, Saturday November 11th, Castle Avenue, 2:30pm
Leaders Clontarf are top of the table as the only unbeaten side left in 1A but City or Armagh could be out to cause an upset this weekend.
Tarf have started the campaign strong and look in great form in these early weeks. Four wins taking three bonus points they have shown their strength having suffered defeat in last term’s final. Despite Dylan Donnellan being unavailable due to Leinster commitments, other places have stepped up. Ivan Soroka, Declan Adamson, Matt D’Arcy, Louis O’Reilly and Aitzol King all crossed in their 44-39 win over Young Munster last weekend.
Chris Parker’s charges will be out to produce another impressive performance as they have held their own in the top division in their first outing. Sat fourth with a 50% win ratio they have made a splash in the division. Last weekend they narrowly overcame Trinity but survived in the end, while two rounds before they left on the end of a narrow defeat to Lansdowne. Don’t be shocked if they manage to get a result from this one.
Dublin University v Ballynahinch, Saturday November 11th, College Park, 2:30pm
Ballynahinch are eying a spot in the top four should they take the points against bottom placed Trinity and results elsewhere go in their favour.
Trinity are in desperate need of points coming into round five. Taking just one by way of a losing bonus result in a 25-23 defeat to City of Armagh. While they have had a narrow defeat twice this campaign they have struggled in other games to take points. It’s a return to their College Park faithful this weekend. Can they overcome a strong prospect in Hinch?
The Ulster outfit are yet to record an away win this campaign, with both of their defeats coming on the road in the capital. Hinch did bounce back well to outclass Shannon 31-5 last time out, now they meet Trinity hoping to win their second meeting in their last five games, they lost this contest last season and the year prior, but did with their most recent encounter on home soil.
Shannon v Cork Constitution, Saturday November 11th, Thomond Park, 2:30pm
A Munster Derby on Shannonside as third placed Con look to continue their top four charge against sixth placed Shannon.
The Limerick side looked very strong in the opening weeks but with two defeats in recent weeks they are in need of a turnaround to their form. While they performed well against Armagh in round 3 they still suffered a 12 point defeat and last weekend were defeated 31-5. Last season they were defeated twice by Con. Can they break the streak this weekend?
Con ended the streak of Lansdowne last weekend and will be out to further than and keep their winning run in tact. Aiming for a third win they will need to be at their best as Shannon can certainly be a thorn in the side of anyone in the division when they play to their strengths. Form is with the visitors and they will be favoured to take the points.
Terenure College v Lansdowne, Saturday November 11th, Lakelands, 2:30pm
A meeting of two historic Dublin clubs in Lakelands with Lansdowne hoping to make up for last weekend’s defeat ending their unbeaten start.
Nure picked up their second win of the campaign last weekend if they can build on that result they could well move further up the standings this weekend. After not managing a single score against Con they bounced back well last weekend, Lansdowne will be a tricky test but one they will have to overcome.
Lansdowne look to end a recent four game losing streak to Terenure this weekend if they can use their recent form to keep their confidence levels high. Lansdowne have not beaten Nure since October 2021 in the AIL and look to end that streak to their Dublin neighbours this time around. Having lost ground to Tarf last weekend should Armagh do them a favour they might regain top spot with a win in Lakelands.
UCD v Young Munster, Saturday November 11th, Belfield, 2:30pm
A bottom of the table fixture in Belfield that will serve as a relegation eight pointer as both sides are currently at either side of the relegation battle.
UCD are outside of the drop zone in eight by virtue of score difference. The students have lost their last two games making it three defeats from their opening four encounters. They can bring some serious danger when they get motoring, Michael Moloney will continue to be a key weapon for UCD as he has been a consistent scorer in recent weeks.
The Cookies only win this season has come in the shape of defeating another Dublin based University in the form of Trinity. On their return to the capital can they overcome the test of UCD, Young Munster aim to make it five games in a row unbeaten against UCD should they take the points this weekend. A dark cloud has been over the Limerick club this week following the tragic death of former player Darren Ryan who passed away last weekend. Thoughts of all are with the club and Darren’s friends and family in what has been a tough week for all.
More Info on Division 1A available here.
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.