With round six on our doorstep, it is billed to be another weekend of suspense and drama. Outside of the top four sides looking to continue their form, Old Crescent, Ballymena and Malone all look to get win’s near the bottom of the standings.
UL Bohemian v Ballymena, Saturday 18th November, Annacotty, 1pm
2A kicks off this weekend with an early meeting on the banks of the Mulkear River as UL Bohs welcome Ballymena.
The Red Robins remain in the top four despite defeat last weekend hoping to avoid a second setback in a row this time around. Not the result they imagined heading to Tipp last weekend for a second Munster derby of the campaign and now facing a side towards the bottom of the standings, they will hope of fighting for third spot should Cashel do them a favour this weekend.
Ballymena travel south looking to end their recent losing streak and claw themselves out of the relegation zone, having won their last three meetings with UL, they are well accustomed to defeating the Robins. They will need to take their scores as last weekend Nenagh just took the game and went with it.
Live Audio Commentary of this fixture can be found here.
MU Barnhall v Cashel, Saturday 18th November, Parsonstown, 2:30pm
A top four clash in Kildare with MU Barnhall welcoming Cashel to Parsonstown in a game that could well be a high scoring thrillride.
Barnhall started the year on the losing front but three wins in succession has them back in the top four battle, a place they aimed to be once the season began. Having briefly topped the standings in 2A last term, the highflyers from Leixlip are determined to be there once again this season and a win over Cashel would be another step toward the summit.
Cashel themselves have been a team that have eyes on the prize over the years for a shot at the title and indeed promotion, having finished second numerous times and failed to get promoted, last year became a first time since 2017-8 where they finished outside the top four. With four wins in a row, can the fifth win combined with a Nenagh loss drag them closer to their neighbours or even top the standings this weekend.
Navan v Greystones, Saturday 18th November, Balreask Old, 2:30pm
The aim of ending a three game losing streak will be on the minds of Navan and Greystones this weekend as they meet at Balreask Old.
Maven will have last weekend’s one point loss playing on their minds all week but need to forget that as Greystones provide their next test. Winning their opening two games the Meath outfit were looking strong but three defeats of varied margins have followed and they sit two points outside the drop zone.
Greystones are a point ahead in the standings and have had a similar fate of results since their promotion from 2B. Winning their opening two games and like Navan have had three varied defeats, notably a two point loss to UL where they could have stolen it at the death. Another team with quality in their ranks similar to Navan, an all Leinster showdown that could be an intense affair from start to finish.
Nenagh Ormond v Banbridge, Saturday 18th November, New Ormond Park, 2:30pm
Nenagh look to go six games unbeaten as they welcome Banbridge to New Ormond Park, teams who had contrasting season’s last year.
Having narrowly missed out on a spot in the promotion final last year, Nenagh have started the year as they mean to go on, five strong performances taking them to the top of the standings. The Tipperary outfit continue to impress with Conor McMahon a leading light for them this campaign.
Banbridge come into this weekend’s meeting off the back of a narrow loss to Old Crescent last time out. A win snatched right at the death as they fell to a third defeat this one by just one point. The Ulster side certainly want a swift return to 1B and will need to get some wins under their belts to keep that mentality going, with just a point separating them from fourth spot, the leading pack could elude them if they take another loss this weekend.
Old Crescent v Malone, Saturday 18th November, Takumi Park, 2:30pm
After their last gasp win last weekend away from home, Old Crescent return to Shannonside hoping they can move further away from the drop zone.
Jed O’Dwyer who has been making a name for himself over the last few months crossed in the burning embers of the contest, Ronan McKenna’s conversion sealed the deal to earn Crescent a second win of the campaign and certainly boost their spirits. Ending a three game losing streak in the process.
Malone too have confidence renewed after taking a narrow opening win from Navan last weekend in Belfast, having started in a rough patch following their relegation from 1B last season, will that win last weekend be the turning point that Malone needed to move back up the table.
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.