2A will have action concerning all elements of the standings this weekend, Old Crescent v Greystones and Navan v Cashel are just two of a host of games concerning matters at both ends of this highly competitive Division.
Banbridge v Ballymena, Saturday January 27th, Rifle Park, 2:30pm
Ballymena will look to build on victory last time out to put a bigger gap between them and the relegation zones as they face Banbridge in an Ulster derby.
Another Ulster derby for the hosts having faced Malone last weekend who won that contest 17-12, now for Banbridge could they face a similar fate meeting Ballymena. When they met in early December Banbridge were 40-21 winners, they need points if they are to push for the playoffs.
Ballymena have been looking good of late, certainly having had results that put them in threat of the drop, they have started to get those important wins and look a side in form. Three wins in their last five including two over promotion chasing MU Barnhall, not a side to be taken lightly.
MU Barnhall v UL Bohemian, Saturday January 27th, Parsonstown, 2:30pm
This game is shaping up to be the game of the weekend in 2A, after a 29-29 stalemate over a month ago on Shannonside, we are in for another treat between these promotion chasers.
Barnhall slipped up last weekend as they dropped points on home soil to Ballymena, now with UL making the trip to Kildare, they cannot afford to do similar as it would see them drop to fourth in the standings. A side certainly that has staked a claim to get promoted, they did tremendously well last season leading 2A for a time and in these coming weeks will not want to miss out on the playoffs.
For the Red Robins certainly they are looking ahead in the table, but with Old Crescent five points behind and Banbridge also looking at making a push for the playoffs they are certainly at risk of losing that fourth place spot if results do not go in their favour. Saying that Bohs are capable of taking the results, while they lost both meetings with Old Crescent in the last month, beating Navan last weekend will give them confidence going into this one.
Navan v Cashel, Saturday January 27th, Balreask Old, 2:30pm
Cashel hope to keep on the pace of Nenagh Ormond at the summit this weekend as they visit bottom of the table Navan.
Having lost five games in a row, Navan slipped down the order and now sit bottom of 2A, needing a big turnaround. The Meath men finished in sixth last season and to do that again need to start taking results, not often in those five games have they been blown out of the water. Cashel who beat them 32-18 in Tipp in early December is the only game where they lost by double scores, the biggest margin since a 26-17 defeat to UL Bohs last time out. This is a must win to get confidence back in the squad.
Since the new year Cashel have claimed two wins and in rich form want to keep pressure on Nenagh at the summit, to do so it will be a priority to take points from the side sat bottom. If they showcase their talents and play like they did in Spafield when these last met, it can certainly be achieved. A squad full of talent they are serious contenders this year and having lost out last year fighting at the top of the order, it has been shown just how serious they are this term.
Nenagh Ormond v Malone, Saturday January 27th, New Ormond Park, 2:30pm
Leaders Nenagh Ormond aim to keep their charge at the top of the table active this weekend as they play second from bottom Malone.
With their unbeaten run ended a fortnight ago, Nenagh bounced back with a win last weekend albeit a narrow one over Greystones. Next on the agenda is Malone and with Cashel just five behind they cannot afford a slip up, it would take an 87 point swing and a bonus win for Cashel to take top spot, Nenagh still have the cards to win the title, they just need to keep the momentum going and hit a royal flush in these final weeks.
Malone are bidding to claw their way out of the relegation zone and with two hard fought wins in a row they are doing a mighty job. A task with the leaders will not be easy, Nenagh won 24-10 at Gibson Park back in December and on home soil will have a point to prove by winning this tie. Malone could move out of the drop zone with two bonus points should they fail to win, that is proving Greystones fail to take a bonus point in their tie with Old Crescent.
Old Crescent v Greystones, Saturday January 27th, Takumi Park, 2:30pm
In front of the Takumi Park faithful, Old Crescent will look to keep their promotion push alive as Greystones make the trip to Shannonside.
Crescent will be looking to bounce back from their Munster Derby defeat to Cashel last weekend, they will also remember leaving Dr Hickey Park on the losing side in December when Gresystones won 27-21. Since then in their last four a 50% win ratio has followed and kept them in contention for promotion, they will want to get a result here as Banbridge are gaining behind them and UL Bohs could pull further away in fourth.
Greystone’s objective now is safety. One point clear of the relegation zone, they are far from safe and will need to push on in these final rounds. With Navan, MU Barnhall, UL Bohemian and Cashel all coming in the next few weeks, they do not have any easy games but will need to hunker down and get results. That win in December can give them confidence, a new task that will not be easy.
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.