Division 1B of the Energia All Ireland League has been very competitive already this season and is set to provide more drama this weekend up and down the Division. UCC taking on Trinity is a massive battle of the University sides.
Old Wesley v Highfield, Saturday November 15th, Energia Park, 2:15pm
Kicking off the weekend action in 1B, Old Wesley aim to build on from victory last weekend to try and get into the top four places, bottom placed Highfield provide the opposition.
Score difference keeps Wesley just outside the top four, the Dubliners have been playing some good rugby this year and continue to knock on the door to the top four. It is very competitive around them, they also need to avoid a slip up. Ian Cassidy’s goal kicking has been a key output this term.
In their last three trips to face Wesley, Highfield have left on the losing side on all three occasions. Bottom of the table, winless in five, the Leesiders are four adrift of those above and a win this weekend combined with defeats for those teams, could result in gaining ground.
Naas v Blackrock College, Saturday November 15th, Forenaughts, 2:30pm
After their narrow defeat to Trinity last weekend, Naas have allowed plenty of challengers to gain ground in the early promotion race, one of those in Blackrock will be aiming to pick up the win this weekend to stake their own claim.
Naas have been a solid team this season and certainly have aspirations of making that top four. Form has been mixed but they have won two of out three games at home so far this campaign, can a second Dublin team leave with the spoils?/
Blackrock will be poised to replicate the outcome back in February when they left Forenaughts with the points, off the back of the win over Shannon last weekend, they will have confidence going into this one.
Queen’s University v Old Belvedere, Saturday November 15th, Dub Lane, 2:30pm
Leaders Old Belvedere travel to Belfast to face ninth placed Queen’s hoping to further their lead at the 1B summit.
Defeated by second placed Nenagh last time out, the Belfast students will be out to return to winning ways and put a gap between them and the drop zone, where they finished up last term.
Belvo are flying high at the summit, looking to pick up their fourth win in succession to rubber stamp top spot in the Division. Free scoring last time out at home to Highfield, Jack Keating bagged a brace of tries and will be looking to continue his fine form.
UCC v Dublin University, Saturday November 15th, The Mardyke, 3pm
A big colours game at The Mardyke, not only for its historical importance, but also in the race for top four it is a massive eight pointer for these two.
Tomás O’Leary spoke this week of how his side will have to deliver a performance to warrant the occasion. Losing their last two games, including last week at home, UCC are out to deliver an improved showing this week.
A first colours clash for these two since January 2022, where Trinity left The Mardyke with a 53-0 win. A win this weekend would be a boost to fighting at the top end of the table, with just how competitive it is around that section of the table, every point will be hard earned.
Shannon v Nenagh Ormond, Saturday November 15th, Thomond Park, 5pm
The late kick off will be an exciting Munster Derby between two teams with contrasting seasons last term. Shannon relegated to 1B, while Nenagh Ormond crowned 2A champions promoted for the first time to 1B and are flying it.
That form has transitioned into this year, with Shannon sitting just outside the drop zone by virtue of score difference. Shannon lost on the road to Blackrock last weekend, but do make home a tough place to visit, with both of their wins this term on home soil.
Nenagh go in search of their third win in succession this weekend, on the road they have been very efficient, yet to suffer a defeat in their three away trips so far this campaign. They will aim to keep pressure applied to Belvo at the summit.
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.