The final round of action in 1B is expected to be another competitive weekend of action as the battle rages on for fourth spot in the table, Buccaneers and Queens look to pull off results to strengthen their hopes of safety going into the new year.
Blackrock College v Buccaneers, Saturday December 16th, Stradbrook, 2:30pm
Bottom placed Buccaneers head to the capital aiming to turn their fortunes around as the year of AIL action comes to a close this weekend.
Blackrock meanwhile look to remain in the race for promotion to 1A or the title picture but that gap to Mary’s is another mountain in itself. Rock are coming off the back of consecutive setbacks and look to turn that around against the side sat bottom of the 1B standings. A first meeting since the 2015-16 campaign and a lot has happened to both since, Rock will be favoured to take points here.
It had looked like Buccs did enough to turn the screw in the final rounds of November, since then however we have seen the side slump to back to back defeats. A hard fought game with Naas saw the Athlone men fall to a five point defeat, against Garryowen last weekend they were beaten 14-0 at home. This really can be their turning point or another painful weekend for Buccs.
Garryowen v UCC, Saturday December 16th, Dooradoyle, 2:30pm
One of two provincial derbies this weekend in 1B, Limerick host Cork as UCC travel to Dooradoyle for a showdown with Garryowen.
Garryowen have won consecutive meetings and slowly have put themselves in contention for a spot in the top four. That fourth spot has changed hands numerous times this year like a game of pass the parcel, three behind Naas they will continue to pluck away and take results to keep them in the race. UCC will provide a stern test to their hopes of moving up to the top four.
Naas sit in fourth spot on 23 points, Wesley in eight are on 18 points and a heavy congregation are all fighting away to claw that gap. UCC are one of those fighting away and were in fourth not too long ago. Consecutive defeats have seen them slump down the table as 1B is an absolute minefield especially that space between eight and fourth. This a first meeting since October 2021 in the Limerick venue, UCC lost 32-20 that day and do not want another defeat in succession.
Naas v Highfield, Saturday December 16th, Forenaughts, 2:30pm
Naas are flying in recent weeks and with Highfield gunning to restore their place in the top four, this will be a war of attrition between these two.
The Kildare men have made no mistakes in going about their business to move up the table. Three wins from their last five with the side hoping for a third win in a row this weekend, they are certainly ones to keep an eye on. A side showing scars of battle this year, some close battles notably a three point defeat to Blackrock, a same margin win over Garryowen and their recent two games acting as gruelling battles also. Deservedly they are here in the top four and want that to remain going into the break.
Highfield lost ground last weekend, defeated by Wesley on Leeside, one win in their last five is a run of form they want to turn around approaching the new year. Turning it around to defeat Queens at the start of the month they need to find their early round for this weekend to take an important result. Just two points is the difference in the standings, what outcome could we see in this heavyweight tussle.
Old Wesley v Old Belvedere, Saturday December 16th, Energia Park, 2:30pm
The second of the provincial pairings pits the two old boys from the capital Old Wesley and Old Belvedere into battle at Energia Park.
Wesley’s main aim will be points to move further away from the drop zone, those three points dropped for fielding an ineligible player at the start of the season has certainly been a burden. They could be ending the year on course to fight for the top four but have to settle at most just outside that depending on results elsewhere. Coming off the back of consecutive wins, they have found their form at the right time and want to finish the year with a third win in succession.
Belvedere moved to second last weekend and now have to chip away at the 12 point lead set by St Mary’s. Since losing their opening two games, Belvedere have won five of their six games which followed, Mary’s the only side they have dropped points to since the opening rounds. Playing well they are sure to make this an entertaining meeting at Energia Park, they may be slight favourites but Wesley cannot be underestimated.
Queens University v St Mary’s College, Saturday December 16th, Dub Lane, 2:30pm
Leaders St Mary’s look to go none games unbeaten to further their hold on the 1B standings as we pause till the new year.
Queens find themselves four points adrift of safety and with a score difference heavy in the red, they will need a big win here to claw their way out. Looking to end their five game losing streak, Queens will need to be at their best to tackle Mary’s. We have seen Queens deliver but just twice this season have they picked up wins and they came within a week of the other.
Mary’s will be fancied to take a ninth win of the season back with them to Templeville Road ahead of their return fixture in the new year. The Dubliners have been nothing short of impressive this year and have set the standard for the rest of 1B and have built up a string of results to showcase a solid claim for the title. Queens did it last year but faced a nervy end to lift silverware in 2A, could they slow down Mary’s this weekend.
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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.