With every passing week the promotion race in 1B looks even more intriguing, just nine points separates second to eight, knock on effects can both aid and hinder teams this weekend, a standout tie from 1B will be the meeting of Blackrock and Mary’s in Stradbrook.
Blackrock College v St. Mary’s College, Saturday 20th January, Stradbrook, 2:30pm
The big one in 1B this weekend is the meeting of the Dubliners Blackrock and St Mary’s, Mary’s looking for their 11th win of the campaign.
Despite winning last weekend Blackrock lost ground in the top four race. Now with a chasing pack behind them, they will want to take points from the leaders and keep that momentum going towards the latter stages, Oliver Coffey was the hero last weekend, he has been a deadly accurate kicker and has been called up to the Ireland U20’s as a result, his loss this weekend will be a tough one for Rock. This is a big game Blackrock need to win as they could well lose out on the top four this weekend.
Mary’s 11 straight wins is an impressive record, they really have set the standard in 1B and despite some incredibly tight games, they have gotten the result week after week. Toppling Blackrock 20-3 when the pair met in Templeville Road in early December, they will have confidence of taking the local bragging rights over another of the capital clubs yet again, they are oozing confidence and scoring for fun.
Garryowen v Buccaneers, Saturday 20th January, Dooradoyle, 2:30pm
Should Blackrock fall to Mary’s, Garryowen are in a prime position to take that coveted fourth place spot, second from bottom Buccaneers provide the opposition on Shannonside.
The Limerick men have made strong strides to get back into 1A, while the road has not been easy, they could well make the play-off places this weekend, it will all revolve around securing a win yet again over Buccs. When the pair met last time out it was a closely fought 14-0 win for the Dooradoyle faithful, if they can replicate that outcome and Mary’s triumph in the capital derby, it would be the ideal weekend as they meet Blackrock the following weekend. Old Belvedere and Highfield could also run the risk outside of Blackrock should they suffer a defeat.
Buccs almost ran Blackrock ragged for the second fixture in succession last weekend and could well cause Garryowen issues this weekend. Narrowly losing by two points was enough to see them jump to ninth in the table, they are locked in a scrap with a host of teams down there and need to start taking points if they are to stay in 1B next term. Two wins in their last five, they have put in solid performances and will hope that remains this weekend to topple a side of the quality and history of Garryowen.
Naas v UCC, Saturday 20th January, Forenaughts, 2:30pm
With how competitive 1B is shaping up, Naas and UCC can both find themselves still in contention for the play-offs in both promotion and relegation, an important fixture this weekend for both.
Losing their last two games against Highfield, Naas will hope winning ways are restored this weekend against UCC. Against one Cork side last weekend they suffered a 50-12 defeat and now their neighbours who they defeated 38-29 in Cork in December are on the agenda once again. Naas will not be able to make up a place this weekend but can close the gap or stay on the course with those above depending on results, they can also lose ground if they fail to end this recent losing streak.
UCC were a solid shout for fighting for top four and now with injuries and players absent they slowly have toppled down the order. One win in five, a draw also bringing points outside of one losing bonus result, they will want to get back to winning ways as they sit just outside the relegation spots. The Leesiders are closer to the relegation play-offs (6) than the promotion play-offs (7), where can they put themselves in the standings come Saturday evening.
Old Wesley v Highfield, Saturday 20th January, Energia Park, 2:30pm
Highfield will look to extend their recent winning run out to three games, if they can head to the capital and leave with a result at Energia Park.
Wesley climbed up the order last weekend to put them in the relegation spots, one they want to strengthen with a home tie this weekend. A third straight game now for the Dubliners in the capital, last time out at Energia Park they narrowly lost to Belvedere, Wesley make this a tough venue to take a result. Confidence will be high beating Belvo last weekend in strong fashion, they also defeated Highfield on the road in early December, will that run continue this weekend.
Highfield have fought hard to get back into the top four race having lost ground early on in the season, a spot is far from guaranteed, second to fifth are separated by just four points and every point is at a premium for these sides. If this becomes a narrow contest, Shane Buckley could decide the game for the Cork men, his kicking style has been a remarkable asset for Highfield, he shone in their seven try haul last weekend, a game that will for sure have tails up going into this one.
Queens University v Old Belvedere, Saturday 20th January, Dub Lane, 2:30pm
Having slipped into bottom place last weekend, Queens could face the chop this year, unless they can start taking the results in the coming weeks, second placed Belvedere will be a stiff opponent this weekend.
Queens are well gifted with the talent in their squad, results however just have not arrived in their 1B campaign this season. Two wins from ten games, seven games on a losing streak, they are in a rut and need to get out of it before it gets too late. The Ulstermen have had some incredibly close contests including testing Mary’s all the way prior to Christmas. Beaten well by Belvo last month, they will need to be a lot more rigid and keep their concentration or this could be an eight defeat in succession.
Old Belvedere are coming in off the back of a one sided meeting with rivals Old Wesley, three wins in their last five, they have had some less than favourable results and with that top four race heating up, they cannot afford to slip up. The capital outfit are looking sharp and last weekend’s blip is one they do not want to replicate going forward, they looked very strong when the pair met in Dublin early last month, if they can bottle that and display the same hunger and determination, they can hold second for another week.
More Info on Division 1B 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.