Blackrock and MU Barnhall compete in the game of the weekend in 2A, Queens look to return to winning ways and claw them back, while Nenagh look to keep their promotion push intact.
Ballymena V Cashel, Saturday 25th February, Eaton Park, 2:30pm
Cashel look to return to the top four in the division as they travel north to face eighth placed Ballymena.
The Ulstermen suffered their seventh loss of the season last weekend as they fell to Barnhall, it could be another tough afternoon at the office for them but they do have a quality squad and can finish as high as sixth spot this season.
Cashel meanwhile had to salvage a draw with a late comeback seeing them finish level with Dolphin 10-10 in Spafield last weekend. Now just a point outside the top four, they’ll hope a win is on the cards this weekend after having an impressive season.
Blackrock College V MU Barnhall, Saturday 25th February, Stradbrook, 2:30pm
Barnhall have really come good in recent weeks but this tie will be a test to see who is top dog by Saturday evening, as Blackrock look to go top once more.
Blackrock were composed last weekend to hit two late tries in Navan to secure a bonus point win, with Queens losing ground they now can mount a charge on top spot if they overcome Barnhall.
In this all Leinster affair, the Kildare men will look to show just why they have slowly mounted a charge into top spot and overcome Rock, they finished sixth last season but have been very impressive in mounting a challenge for the top this time around.
Dolphin V Nenagh Ormond, Saturday 25th February, Musgrave Park, 2:30pm
A Munster derby on Leeside will look to bring fortune to nenagh’s promotion hopes, while the hosts have a 12 point gap to claw back to get out of the bottom two.
Dolphin picked up points last weekend but will need plenty more of them to claw back Ballymena and jump out of ninth spot, wins are rare for them this season but they badly need to get one this weekend.
Nenagh have been flying high over the last couple of weeks now, a late try in their dispatching of Old Crescent ensured a bonus point and that meant they jumped above fellow Tipp side Cashel, keep that form going with five games left could see them in promotion contention.
Old Crescent V UL Bohemian, Saturday 25th February, Takumi Park, 2:30pm
An all Limerick affair in Takumi Park, as bottom placed UL Bohs make the short trip to take on Old Crescent.
Crescent are seventh in the table and hoping to end a three game losing streak, well beaten last weekend they hope confidence is much better to tackle their neighbours.
UL claimed a huge scalp in Annacotty last weekend as they toppled Queens 31-19, just their second win of the season, it leaves them still at the bottom of the table, but after such an emphatic performance they could muster same late form to end the season off.
Queens University V Navan, Saturday 25th February, Dub Lane, 2:30pm
After falling to their fourth defeat of the season last weekend, Queens look to bounce back if they want to fight for top spot, as they host an out of form Navan side.
Queens will be disappointed by last week’s result that saw them drop to third in the table, not the first time they have had to claw back the lead in 2A but a win this weekend would help as Barnhall and Blackrock tussle elsewhere.
Navan are very much out of form of late, a late red card saw them suffer defeat to Blackrock last weekend, they lost by a point to Barnhall the game week prior, a win over UL brought points but only a win in five and a draw has seen points come their way, this weekend will need a big performance to topple Queens.
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.