Division 1B of the Energia All-Ireland League proved to be as competitive as billed on the opening weekend, the second weekend will certainly be the same.
Buccaneers vs Old Wesley, Saturday October 8th, 2:30pm, Dubarry Park
Buccaneers welcome Old Wesley to Dubarry Park for their first home game since being promoted back to 1B. Buccs will be looking to build on last week’s performance where they narrowly came out on the wrong side of a very competitive two-point game.
They’ll be hoping scrum half Frankie Hopkins can grow his influence on the game. He was a standout player for them last week and he’ll undoubtably be leading the challenge for this game.
Old Wesley makes the journey to Athlone after putting to bed any doubts about them suffering any sort of hangover from last season’s surprise semi-final defeat to Naas. They got their revenge in style, winning 37-7.
They played at a high tempo, full of attacking rugby, which is something they’ve become known for in recent seasons. Front rowers and brothers Howard and Harry Noonan looked sharp with Sam and Reuben Pim putting in solid shift too.
The men from Donnybrook will definitely fancy their chances of making it two wins from two. Early signs suggest that they’ll be a force to be reckoned with again this season.
Naas vs Highfield, Saturday October 8th, 2:30pm, Forenaughts
Former Leicester Tigers and Munster player Johne Murphy will be demanding a reaction from his players when they host tough opposition Highfield.
One thing is for sure, Murphy would have put his team through their paces in training this week after that disappointing defeat to Old Wesley. A Ryan Casey converted try was the only thing they had to show from that game. Last season’s runners up have a blend of experienced and young players. We should expect a better performance from them on Saturday.
Highfield did what was required of them last weekend, securing all five points in a tough battle against Banbridge. However, they’re definitely capable of more. It’ll be interesting to see if former Munster centre Cian Bohane can add to his two tries, he scored last weekend.
Highfield are probably slight favourites heading into the contest. It’s arguable the fixture of the round.
Banbridge vs Old Belvedere, Saturday October 8th, 2:30pm, Rifle Park
Old Belvedere looked great in patches in their game against St Mary’s they’ll be looking for consistency when they travel up north to face Banbridge.
There was plenty to please the new Old Belvedere head coach Ben Manion. They secured all five points. They dominated the game for much of the opening hour. Centre Jayden Beckett looks like the real deal. But, the big for them is proving that they can back up that performance with a win on the road.
Banbridge looked very good in spells at Highfield. Ulster academy out-half Jamie Humphrey’s contributed 10 points on the day. He kicked a late penalty which secured them the all-important losing bonus point.
They’ll fancy their chances in getting their first win of the season this weekend.
St Mary’s College vs Malone, Saturday October 8th, 2:30pm, Templeville Road
St Mary’s will be looking to register their first win of the season when Malone make the trip to Templeville Road on Saturday.
Even though former Irish international Sean Cronin didn’t get off to a winning start last week against Old Belvedere at Ollie Campbell Park, he’ll be happy that they managed to come away with two bonus points.
Malone might struggle in this contest. They’ll be aiming to do better than they did last week against a very good UCC.
University College Cork vs City of Armagh, Saturday October 8th, 2:30pm, The Mardyke
University College Cork will be looking keep their 100% record when they face a City of Armagh outfit who are also coming off the back of a win.
Michael Bradley who is the new director of rugby at UCC would have been pleased with their 36-12 victory over Malone last week. Half-backs Aaron Quirke and Andrew O’Mahony both looking good.
City of Armagh will be hoping to provide an upset. They did well to win last week, after multiple yellow cards and a few injures in their game vs Buccaneers. Winger Dylan Nelson and James McCormick are their players to watch.
