AIL Preview: Division 1A Week 9

And just like that we are going into the last weekend of fixtures for 2022. Can Terenure make it a perfect 1st half of the season or will Young Munster produce another big performance to upset the applecart. Trinity welcome Cork Con to College Park in an important top 4 clash and Lansdowne play Shannon in a must win for both sides.

Young Munster V Terenure College, Saturday December 10th, Tom Clifford Park, 4:45pm

Could Young Munster be the team to beat Terenure when they meet this weekend?

Gearoid Prendergast’s Cookies have looked well drilled in recent weeks, picking up big wins against Clontarf and Trinity as well as a convincing victory over local rivals Shannon last Saturday. They are a team in form. Can they be the first to beat Nure this season.

Nure got pushed all the way by Trinity in their last game, a late Caolan Dooley gave them a 23-21 victory. They’ve been fantastic this season, a well-oiled machine. Sean Skehan will want to head into Christmas with win number nine.

Dublin University V Cork Constitution, Saturday December 10th, College Park, 2:30pm

It’s 3rd vs 4th when Trinity and Cork Con do battle in College Park this Saturday.

Both of the teams are coming into the game off the back of defeats last week. Tony Smeeth’s Trinity have had heart break in the last two games, losing both of them in the dying moments against Terenure and Young Munster. The game this weekend is a must win for them.

Con suffered only their second defeat of the season last week against Clontarf. If they were to beat Trinity on Saturday, it would put them into the top 3.

Whichever team is beaten, they’ll be leaving the gate open for Young Munster to close the gap.

Lansdowne V Shannon, Saturday December 10th, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, 2:30pm

These are two clubs that are steeped in history. They have 12 AIL titles between them, but this season it’s nearer the bottom end of the table that  they both sit.

Consistency is something that Lansdowne have really struggled to find this season. The loss to UCD would have been very disappointing for the Head Coach Mark McHugh. A win at the weekend would make sure they don’t slide into the relegation places for Christmas.

Shannon did look to be improving with every game, but that heavy defeat to Young Munster last week would have knocked the momentum out of them. Can they bounce back with a win on Saturday, to get them climbing up the table and out of the danger zone?

Ballynahinch V UCD, Saturday December 10th, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm

This will be one of the most competitive games this weekend.

Ballynahinch will be much happier heading into this Christmas, much more so than last year, where they were near the bottom of the table at that stage. They’ll be hoping to finish the year on a high.

UCD will want to back up last week’s performance with another win this weekend.

Clontarf V Garryowen, Saturday December 10th, Castle Avenue, 2:30pm

Clontarf welcome Garryowen to Castle Avenue on Saturday.

Tarf will be strong favourites heading into the game.

Garryowen are yet to register a win. It’ll be hard to see them winning away from home.

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