The Munster derby of Nenagh Ormond and Old Crescent will be just one of a blockbuster card of games in 2A this weekend, promotion and relegation battles to wet the appetite over the coming weeks.
Ballymena v Cashel, Saturday March 2nd, Eaton Park, 2:30pm
Safety is not yet assured for Ballymena, they will need points this weekend to avoid dropping down the basement end of the table.
The Ulstermen have put in some incredible performances to get them out of the bottom two this season but could well end up back in those places again depending on results. Having not lined out last time due to postponement, they are fresh ready to make home advantage count.
As Nenagh did not line out in round 14, Cashel now sit six points behind their Tipp neighbours hoping to keep that pressure applied for a title charge. Cashel will remember just what Ballymena brought to the table having won 19-13 when the pair last met, the visitors in good form, three wins and a draw in their last five.
Banbridge v Navan, Saturday March 2nd, Rifle Park, 2:30pm
Matters concerning different aspects of the table in Rifle Park, Banbridge looking to get a spot in the promotion play-offs, Navan looking to avoid the relegation play-offs.
Losing to Old Crescent last time out certainly put Banbridge’s race for promotion on ice, four behind the Limerick side, they need to take points this weekend and hope the result elsewhere has them back in contention. UL Bohs could also leapfrog them as this race heats up.
Navan are just about outside the relegation zone on score difference, three teams tied on 27 points at the foot of the table with Navan sandwiched between Ballymena and Greystones. Navan lost the reverse meeting and have had some tough defeats in recent meetings, narrow margins in some cases, they need to push on to stay up in these coming weeks.
Greystones v UL Bohemian, Saturday March 2nd, Dr Hickey Park, 2:30pm
Greystones are at risk of ending up in the relegation play-offs this year, with promotion chasing UL Bohemian making the trip to Wicklow, this is a must win game.
With two wins secured in their last five games, Greystones have had a decent run of form, however with three wins all season prior to those successful trips in their last run of fixtures they are sat ninth hoping to stay afloat. Greystones were a strong force in 2B last year and with just a couple of weeks left in this season, they will have to find that form.
It has been a tough time both on and off the field for UL Bohemian in the last month, on the field both of their last fixtures saw defeat by a margin of four points or less. The Red Robins are on a losing streak of late and if they are to make those play-offs they need a win here as it still remains within arms reach.
Malone v MU Barnhall, Saturday March 2nd, Gibson Park, 2:30pm
As Malone are five points behind those other sides sat at the basement of the table, they risk the automatic drop.
It will not be an easy game to overcome Barnhall, the Ulsterside have just four games left to at least take eight points and hope those above score zero in these coming weeks. Malone started the second half of the year with a flying start taking two wins, losing the last three has kept them in tenth spot, time is running out.
MU Barnhall occupy third spot going into the weekend, second could be a possibility if they take a win, however the chasing pack are waiting to catch up if they stumble in these final weeks. Winning their last three games, Barnhall are out to keep that momentum going this weekend.
Nenagh Ormond v Old Crescent, Saturday March 2nd, New Ormond Park, 2:30pm
A colossal Munster derby in New Ormond Park this weekend as leaders Nenagh Ormond take on promotion chasing Old Crescent.
Nenagh have big back to back home game weeks due to their postponement last time out, a tough home meeting with Old Crescent will be a testing outing for their title credentials. Dropped points would be disastrous for Nenagh as Cashel will push them right to the very end. A mixed run of form of late cannot sit on their minds coming into this tie.
For Old Crescent the only way is up of late, despite losing to Cashel early on in the new year, they have taken four wins from their last five games and have become a real contender to land a spot in the promotion play-offs. They look exciting to watch of late and certainly will give Nenagh a battle and make up for that 29-6 defeat back in November.
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.