Nenagh Ormond will hope to keep their early lead in 2A alive with a Munster Derby against Old Crescent, elsewhere a top four tussle of UL Bohemian and Greystones is one of the games of the weekend.
Cashel v Ballymena, Saturday November 4th, Spafield, 2:30pm
Off the back of two strong wins Cashel moved to second last time out and look to continue their push against Ballymena.
Cashel started the year on the losing front but two strong bonus point wins has them back where they were last term, fighting for promotion and the title. One of two strong Tipperary based sides, four behind their fellow contingent Nenagh, can they keep their place intact this weekend.
Ballymena moved up the standings to sixth spot following their first win of the campaign two weeks ago 34-10 victors over Old Crescent, after two narrow defeats it was a welcome result for the Ulster contingent to get their first win of the campaign, Spafield is a tough venue to get a result from so this will be a test of Ballymena’s credentials.
MU Barnhall v Malone, Saturday November 4th, Parsonstown, 2:30pm
MU Barnhall coming off their first win of the season will be favoured to make it two wins against bottom placed Malone.
The Kildare outfit started the season on the losing front on both occasions, their last home outing saw a one point deficit handing them a second defeat, six point winners in a 46-40 classic with Banbridge in round three, has the confidence back that they can move up the table. The Blue Bulls looked a solid pick last season and need to find that form once again to challenge for promotion.
Just three places separates Malone from their opponents this weekend but seven points is the gap but Malone scoring zero points so far this term. They have struggled to take points from their opening three encounters, 13, 35 and 12 points have been the losing amounts Mlaone have endured so far this term, they have been competitive in games but need to take points this weekend.
Navan v Banbridge, Saturday November 4th, Balreask Old, 2:30pm
Navan sit just outside the promotion play-off places and will hope to take advantage of a dip in form of their opponents this weekend to move up the table.
Following a 40 point defeat to Nenagh two weeks ago, their unbeaten start came to an end but they cannot dwell on that defeat coming into this tie. Having really struggled in that contest this is a new contest, a new team to face and returning to home soil they can return to better fortunes, Banbridge pose a threat so they will have to avoid being on the complacent side.
Following their drop to 2A, in recent weeks Banbridge have slipped down the standings, defeats to UL Bohs and Barnhall put them seventh in the standings, they could have easily claimed a second win of the campaign last time out instead of defeat, it was a real classic as they journey down to Meath, they need to be confident of returning to winning ways.
Old Crescent v Nenagh Ormond, Saturday November 4th, Takumi Park, 2:30pm
Munster Derby Day on Shannonside come Saturday afternoon, with Old Crescent welcoming highflyers Nenagh.
Crescent dropped into the relegation fight following consecutive defeats on the road in recent weeks, while they narrowly lost in Navan, they were well beaten by Ballymena last time out. Crescent have some young exciting players in their ranks and having won the last two meetings in Takumi Park, the first shy of twelve months ago, that will give them confidence.
Nenagh well and truly are the pace setters in 2A so far, the only team unbeaten after three rounds, they narrowly missed the chance at a promotion final last year and are out to move up this season. Ben Pope has been an incredible player for Nenagh this term, Josh Rowland and Conor McMahon also are potent players to cross the whitewash.
UL Bohemian v Greystones, Saturday November 4th, Annacotty, 2:30pm
Despite needing to win the relegation/promotion play-off final last year to keep them in 2A, the Red Robins have been in great form this year, a top four meeting with Greystones will be another big test for them this season.
UL leapfrogged their opponents in round three with their second win of the campaign, having lost to Nenagh by 24 points in round one it looked like maybe they would struggle again this year. Defeating Banbridge 27-10 and Malone 31-19 in recent weeks they are on for a three game winning streak should they get past Greystones on Saturday.
After their impressive start came to an end in round three to Cashel, Greystones hope to return to winning ways this weekend in Annacotty. It was an impressive start that grinded to a halt two weeks ago but with that said, the Wicklow 2B Champions are well experienced and will not let the defeat get to them as they journey to Shannonside.
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.