After a dramatic opening weekend to 2024 in 2A, this weekend promises to be nothing short of the same, the title, promotion and relegation on the minds across the division this weekend.
UL Bohemian v Navan, Saturday 20th January, Annacotty, 2pm
UL Bohemian are in the precarious position of potentially losing their spot in the play-offs with defeat this weekend, a home tie with Navan is the early kick off in 2A this weekend.
The Red Robins were flying well until Old Crescent won both of their back to back fixtures, the latter coming last weekend was a one sided derby defeat which left plenty of the Annacotty faithful disappointed. A blemish on an overly strong run of games prior, they lost the first tie at home by four points, the only time they have lost at home this year.
Could we see a change of fortune when Navan travel to Limerick who are looking to avoid a fifth straight defeat. Navan had two titanic tussles with Barnhall in their last outings, losing both by less than seven points. UL won by seven when the pair met in Balreask Old in early December, in very much an eight pointer in Limerick, who can return to winning ways.
Cashel v Old Crescent, Saturday 20th January, Spafield, 2:30pm
Having cut the gap to five points to leaders Nenagh in a Munster derby win last weekend, Cashel have another derby on their plate this weekend as Old Crescent travel to Spafield.
Even if Nenagh suffer defeat again this weekend, Cashel will not be able to take top spot unless an 84 point differential can swing in their face, certainly they can apply pressure to their neighbours by taking a result this weekend. The Tipp men have been in great shape this year and losing that derby prior to Christmas was just their second defeat, a side in tremendous form and last weekend could be yet another catalyst.
Old Crescent meanwhile have another derby of their own to contend with also and sitting one point outside of the play-offs this is another game they will hope can result in a win. At the start of December Cashel inflicted another defeat on the Tipp side and they turned their fortunes around with both a narrow and convincing Limerick derby win over UL Bohs. They can almost taste the play-offs, a win here is vital to achieve that, the result in Annacotty will also determine their place.
Greystones v Nenagh Ormond, Saturday 20th January, Dr Hickey Park, 2:30pm
Nenagh have little time to bounce back from defeat last weekend their first of the campaign, they travel to Wicklow for a meeting with Greystones.
It was the ideal start to 2024 for Greystones picking up a hard earned win on the road in Banbridge last weekend, dragging them further away from the drop zone places. Just a second win for Greystones in their last five fixtures, will it be a turning point. They have battled tremendously well in recent weeks, some games this season they will feel they should have done better, their 38-5 defeat to Nenagh at the start of December is one of those games.
Nenagh will be licking their wounds from last weekend’s defeat to their local rivals, they must however bounce back and try to avoid running the risk of falling into a slump as the weeks tick by and we near the latter stages of the campaign. Nenagh were left huffing and puffing last week trying to come back but to no avail against Cashel, a performance similar to that when these last met is needed to keep them on course for a title charge.
MU Barnhall v Ballymena, Saturday 20th January, Parsonstown, 2:30pm
MU Barnhall will continue to make ground in the top four race this weekend as they host eight placed Ballymena.
Barnhall have had some gruelling contests in recent weeks, winning two from their last five and drawing one. Coming off the back of two absolute battles with Navan, bodies will be drained and now they have to face a Ballymena side who beat them by two points a few short weeks ago. Showing last year that they certainly have the credentials to make it in the play-offs, they will not want to squander their position while also hoping to secure a higher seed come the end of the season.
Ballymena on the other hand jumped out of the bottom two places last weekend and will fight tooth and nail to avoid returning. While they lost in painful circumstances by a single point to Malone last weekend, they did manage to jump out thanks to the losing bonus point and score difference. Now the Ulstermen will have to fight to maintain that spot with Navan and Malone not too far behind, every point now is as valuable as ever.
Malone v Banbridge, Saturday 20th January, Gibson Park, 2:30pm
Another Ulster derby for Malone as they face Banbridge at Gibson Park, once again a battle between the two sides that dropped down from 1B last year.
Malone very few times this season have come into a game on the back of taking a win in the game prior, this weekend is another big game for them if they are to avoid another relegation. Battling well to overcome Ballymena narrowly at the weekend, it ended their losing streak and from their standpoint can be a huge turnaround to see them move higher up the table.
Banbridge meanwhile will hope Old Crescent and UL Bohs slip up this weekend to move to fourth place as they breathe down their necks losing last weekend had they taken that win over Greystones we would be talking about them in a different lighting going into this weekend. Having lost ground in that race could they gain a spot in the standings this weekend, it very much is all in their hands to do so.
More Info on Division 2A 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.