1B will be headlined by two massive top four clashes this weekend, leaders St Mary’s taking on Old Belvedere, while Blackrock College host Garryowen. UCC and Old Wesley also has the recipe to be an incredible game near the foot of the standings.
Blackrock College v Garryowen, Saturday January 27th, Stradbrook, 2:30pm
A big contest in the top four at Stradbrook as third placed Blackrock look to move further up the order as fourth placed Garryowen provide the opposition for what look’s to be an absolute classic.
Blackrock have built well over the last number of years and will be aiming to go again at promotion and dine at the top table next year. Certainly a side with the quality to do that, ending Mary’s unbeaten run last weekend in the burning embers, showed they are a serious prospect and will look to continue their recent winning streak with this home tie against Garryowen.
Garryowen are looking to make it six games unbeaten as they head to the capital to face a Blackrock side who they toppled in December to begin this unbeaten streak. Garryowen have assembled a strong team since their relegation last term and will be poised to make it a short stay in 1B, with how well they are doing of late they will be hopeful of further points with plenty of competition behind them for their fourth placed spot.
Buccaneers v Naas, Saturday January 27th, Dubarry Park, 2:30pm
Naas can keep on the promotion hunt if they can take a win over bottom placed Buccaneers at Dubarry Park.
The hosts slipped back down to the foot of the standings having suffered consecutive setbacks last weekend going down 33-17 to Garryowen. A fourth defeat in their last five games and Buccs certainly need to return to winning ways if they are to stay in 1B for another season. In recent weeks they have had close battles and did beat Blackrock along the way, while Naas beat them 35-29 they have shown their quality, this is no doubt a must win to claw them further to safety.
Naas certainly have staked their claim to make a push for promotion this season, having finished seventh last year just above the drop zone, Naas can for sure say they have improved this year to the point where a win here and results elsewhere going in their favour they could move fourth. Form has been good recently a one point loss to Highfield certainly hurt them and the 50-12 defeat which followed to the same opposition was not the desired start to 2024, winning last time out they need to continue that if they aim to be one of the promotion contenders.
Highfield v Queens University, Saturday January 27th, Woodleigh Park, 2:30pm
Promotion chasing Highfield lost ground in the race last weekend, back on home soil they look to return to winning ways against second from bottom Queens.
The Cork men have largely contested the promotion race this season, at times they have slipped out of the top four but fought back to regain their place. Now once again they must do the same and with Garryowen and Blackrock who sit just ahead of them fighting for points this weekend, they are in pole position to move back into the top four with a win and result there will go in their favour.
Queens on the other hand have lost their last seven games in a row and are a side out of form badly needing a win. Performances however certainly have warranted results, losing by three to Belvo in the Dub last weekend and five to Mary’s in the same venue prior to Christmas. Those games showed their quality but other times they have been up against it, they will need a strong result this weekend to fight for their safety.
Old Belvedere v St Mary’s College, Saturday January 27th, Ollie Campbell Park, 2:30pm
A big Dublin derby for the second top four tussle of the week as leaders St Mary’s look to bounce back from their first defeat last weekend with an away trip to Old Belvedere.
Belvedere responded from defeat in round ten to tackle a tough Queens test last weekend in Belfast, back in Ollie Campbell a place where they lost their winning run since the start of December, they will be hopeful of a better showing from that 20-3 defeat to Wesley. When the pair met in December Mary’s won 34-27 and Belvo played well that day and bounced back and only for that Wesley game they would be a lot closer in the standings.
Mary’s still have 16 points to spare in the title race despite their unbeaten run coming to an end last weekend and can strengthen that gap if they can overcome Belvedere. It will not be easy none of these games are, Mary’s do bring savage threat and will no doubt be looking to wrap up this game and not endure a late defeat like last weekend. They are a real force and look set to take the 1B title, winning this one will keep that dream alive.
UCC v Old Wesley, Saturday January 27th, The Mardyke, 2:30pm
With six points between them and the drop zone, UCC are looking for a strong result to avoid another relegation dogfight this season.
The Cork side have failed to take a win in their last five games, a draw and four defeats in that time, the most painful of those defeats coming in a 27-26 loss to Wesley at the start of December. UCC are not in danger at the moment but if the streak continues they could well find themselves having alarm bells ringing in the coming weeks. A side packed with potential they have lost key players and will look to others to step up as we really enter the business end.
Wesley have started 2024 with an unbeaten start and will look to continue that this weekend as they travel from the capital to Leeside. With strong wins over Highfield and Belvedere, they have beaten teams ahead of them in recent weeks and look to make a push for promotion, Had the points deduction not occurred they would be fighting for the top four and having been in the bottom two for a time they have done heroic work to turn the tide of their season, confidence is with them heading to this big meeting a the foot of the table.
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.