With a six game winning streak under their belts, Galway Corinthians are the team to beat in Division 2A of the Energia All Ireland League. They face a stiff test at home to Cashel this weekend to preserve top spot, elsewhere Navan will look to build off their first win last weekend to move out of the drop zone.
Instonians v MU Barnhall, Saturday November 16th, Shaw’s Bridge, 2pm
Another big clash between top four sides this weekend is the meeting of Instonians and MU Barnhall. Second placed Instonians, hoping to continue breathing down the necks of Corinthians, could snatch top spot if results go their way. Kick off in Shaw’s Bridge is at 2pm.
This will be the first meeting of the pair since January of 2013 when Barnhall took the spoils with a 53-11 win in Parsonstown. A first meeting in Shaw’s Bridge however since October 2009, where Instonians came out on top with a 19-3 win. Off the back of a 35-17 win over Old Crescent last weekend, they will have confidence. Hugo Ellerby crossed twice that day, while Josh Eagleson converted all four tries.
Barnhall suffered their second defeat of the season last time out to Corinthians, a first double digit margin of the campaign for the Kildare side. Now they look to bounce back against a tram they have not faced in 11 years. Adam Chester remains in good form for Barnhall, crossing for a try last weekend adding to his strong kicking form.
Galway Corinthians v Cashel, Saturday November 16th, Corinthian Park, 2:30pm
Corinthians have been in remarkable form this campaign to date, top scorers with the best defensive record to boot, Michael Harding’s men have put the rest of the Division on notice since their promotion.
Sean Naughton is kicking points for fun and the likes of John Devine, Orin Burke and Tomas Farthing are all well able to cross for tries. Just once so far this season they failed to secure a bonus point, one try away from doing so against Instonians.
A first trip since November of 2017 for Cashel to Corinthian Park, they suffered a 19-8 defeat that day. The Premier men are coming off the back of a narrow defeat to Cashel and for the first time season they are seeking to bounce back from a loss. Tom Tobin and Ben Twomey are their top scorers looking to propel them to a win this weekend.
Greystones v Buccaneers, Saturday November 16th, Dr Hickey Park, 2:30pm
If Barnhall were to falter again this weekend, Greystones will be primed to close the gap to fourth place if they can get another win on the board this weekend, they welcome bottom placed Buccaneers to Dr Hickey Park.
Greystones are much improved from last year after six rounds of action. At this point last year they had four defeats and two wins, but did leave Round 7 with a win at home. Three wins on the board from six, they bounced back from defeat a week prior to get the better of Banbridge last weekend, the right side of the same 25-22 scoreline from defeat at home to Cashel a week earlier.
Buccs winless in six, have seen the gap slowly grow ahead of them to get out of the relegation zone. Losing to Ballymena a team also at the foot of the table last weekend, was a tough one, to add to that Navan getting a win has made the need for a first win for the Athlone men far greater, we will have 11 more rounds after this weekend but Paul Byrne’s side need a win regardless to get the form back.
Navan v Banbridge, Saturday November 16th, Balreask Old, 2:30pm
Banbridge are back on the road this weekend, looking to return to winning ways after the narrow defeat last weekend. Away form has not been overly positive for the Rifle Park faithful, however after two prior defeats they did win their last away trip over Ballymena. Jack Hart has been their main scorer this campaign, he added a try last weekend but also has an exceptional eye for the posts from the tee.
Navan, motivated by last weekend’s triumph on the road in Cashel, will be looking to pick up consecutive wins as they return to Balreask Old this weekend. Navan have been fighting to put those points on the board in recent weeks and were rewarded for their efforts last weekend. It is a big season for the Meath men as they celebrate 100 years, Jason Harris-Wright’s men have the confidence to get another result this weekend.
Old Crescent v Ballymena, Saturday November 16th, Takumi Park, 2:30pm
Seventh hosts eight on Saturday afternoon, as Ballymena head south to face Old Crescent. A venue that has not been a happy hunting ground for Ballymena, who have lost their last three trips to Takumi Park.
Old Crescent are another team that can gain ground to fourth spot this weekend if they can get the win over Ballymena. Crescent had three wins on the board at this point last season, versus the two secured so far, coming off the back of a defeat can help right the wrongs, they finished with a flurry against Instonians and will fancy their chances to return to winning ways and pick up a third straight home win.
Last weekend was the first time this season Ballymena secured a win, they did in style over Buccaneers and can use that performance to get a winning run going and challenge at the top end of the table this season. Callum Patterson continued his impressive kicking form, while James McClean crossed twice last weekend in his first appearance of the season.
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.