While the top three have built out a lead in Division 1A of the Energia All Ireland League, the race for that fourth spot is an entertaining one. Of those chasing pack Lansdowne host Clontarf and Cork Con host St Mary’s in two game of the week contenders.
Ballynahinch v UCD, Saturday November 15th, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm
It has been a remarkable start to the season for Ballynahinch and before the league will pause for a few weeks, they aim to keep that first place secured with a home tie against UCD.
Far from an overnight success story, Hinch have been building to fight at the top half of the table for the last number of seasons and are reaping the rewards so far this season. In their last four games they have had some bruising battles and narrow wins, this weekend they look to make it five unbeaten.
While Hinch are flying at the top end of the table, UCD sit second from bottom, after getting the better of Garryowen last weekend. Points for them would be crucial at this point as it helps them gain ground into the cluster of teams who are both fighting for top four and sit just outside the drop zone.
Cork Constitution v St Mary’s College, Saturday November 15th, Temple Hill, 2:30pm
Defending champions Cork Con will be looking to put a winning run together this weekend, to help propel them back into the top four as their title defence has been a tricky one so far. The visit of high flying Mary’s will for sure be an entertaining one.
Con picked up the points last weekend in a real battle with City Of Armagh, getting them back on track after two prior defeats. One of which was at home, they have won two games previous at home and will look to use that home advantage to pick up further points.
Mary’s have shown no signs of slowing down in 1A, while they lost in dramatic fashion on the opening day to Clontarf and narrowly to Hinch, they have done very well outside of those to win their other four games. This weekend they aim for four wins in a row and fancy their chances.
Lansdowne v Clontarf, Saturday November 15th, Aviva Stadium, 2:30pm
A massive Dublin Derby at headquarters, as Lansdowne look to climb the order from eight against third placed Clontarf.
Form has been a tough one for Lansdowne in recent weeks, while they delivered a powerful showing to defeat Cork Con, they failed to replicate that against Young Munster a week later and narrowly lost last time out at home to Hinch. Prior to last weekend, they had been flying it on home soil, they will be a tough challenge regardless.
Clontarf on the other hand are aiming for a third win in succession this weekend, and are yet to suffer a defeat on the road. Andy Wood’s charges have delivered some strong results since the start of the season to stake their claim for a title, this is another game they will aim to win to keep this momentum going.
Terenure College v Garryowen, Saturday November 15th, Lakelands Park, 2:30pm
With plenty of teams chasing them down in fourth spot, Terenure are hopeful of picking up the points at home to bottom placed Garryowen, but will know the visitors are not to be taken lightly.
A first meeting since March 2023 between the pair, Terenure roared home to a 52-0 win, crowned champions later that year as Garryowen were relegated. Form this year has not reached the heights of that season, Nure have suffered consecutive defeats and are out to change that this weekend.
As mentioned Garryowen have had difficult results on the road in Lakelands, losing both of their last two trips. Losing their last five games, they will be out to pick up the points here this weekend as they turn attention to the Bateman Cup next weekend, a win here will boost their confidence for sure.
Young Munster v City Of Armagh, Saturday November 15th, Tom Clifford Park, 2:30pm
Two sides who are looking to stake a claim for top four this season meet at Tom Clifford Park, fifth placed Young Munster taking on City Of Armagh who sit seventh.
The Cookies have struggled to get a winning run together since the opening two rounds, off the back of a narrow defeat to Clontarf on the road last weekend, they will be out to take the points when it is very tight around that part of the table, every point now is massive in this race.
City Of Armagh have been one to keep an eye on this year. A sleeping giant may be starting to awaken as Chris Parker’s men have been putting in some impressive results this season. Four adrift of the top four, they defeated Terenure and almost got the better of Con last time out, when they last went to Limerick they left nearby Dooradoyle with a win, can they do similar up the road?. Last year ended in a loss but they will fancy their chances just under 12 months later.
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.