2A remains a dogfight, Queens, Blackrock, Nenagh and Barnhall are the top four chasing the title, while at the bottom UL Bohs have Old Crescent and Navan in their sights as they hope to stay up.
Blackrock College V Dolphin, Sat 1st April, Stradbrook, 2:30pm
Blackrock will aim to keep their challenge at the 2A title alive as they host Dolphin in Stradbrook.
The race for the title has been an amazing watch this season if you are not involved with any of the clubs, Blackrock have been on top and now eye up Queens as anything that can happen has happened, they were successful last weekend and will aim to keep the pressure applied.
Dolphin mathematically are not relegated yet, but a loss here and it will be assured, they still have a chance of making the play-off’s but will need UL to lose and pick up a win on the road, when they met in October Dolphin were big winners in Musgrave Park, this game almost has a title at stake for both.
MU Barnhall V Nenagh Ormond, Sat 1st April, Parsonstown, 2:30pm
Nenagh are assured a spot in the top four but if they can snatch second from Blackrock it would put them in a better situation, Barnhall meanwhile also need a result.
The hosts are 7 points ahead of Cashel in fifth, but are not quite guaranteed their spot in the promotion play-offfs yet, they have three wins from their last five, but last week’s heavy defeat to Queens may have just knocked their confidence.
Navan V Ballymena, Sat 1st April, Balreask Old, 2:30pm
Both Ballymena and Navan put a gap between them and the drop last weekend, this weekend Navan will look to put that threat to bed.
Navan sit in seventh two behind Ballymena, with a nine point gap between them and UL, the maths say two bonus point wins for UL and two Navan defeats without bonus points would see them tumble but a win here and they are safe, this division has coughed up big upsets in the past.
Ballymena are safe as UL cannot catch them they will want to still put in a strong showing here but the result for them is not as life and death as the side they are up against.
Queens University V Old Crescent, Sat 1st April, Dub Lane, 2:30pm
Queens will want the advantage in their corner going into the final round in two weeks, if they can overcome strugglers Old Crescent at the Dub.
Queens last season looked all but assured they would run riot in the play-offs and advance, but in the end they had to remain in 2A, having looked strong they need to showcase their form like we saw in last week’s empathic win over Barnhall to secure their crown.
Old Crescent meanwhile could slip into a relegation dogfight with their Limerick neighbours UL, seven ahead of the Robins they will have to get something here and hope Cashel do them a favour on Shannonside, one win in their last four they need a big result this weekend.
UL Bohemian V Cashel RFC, Sat 1st April, Annacotty, 2:30pm
In the Munster Derby it is a must win for both as it concerns life in a new Division for both.
UL are likely to have to contest the relegation play-off, but a win here would make it an interesting final day, the Robins will feel they left a win behind them in Ballymena last weekend, this game is a must win defeat and it’s the play–offs or worse if Dolphin win.
Cashel were looking a solid pick for the promotion battle but now sit fifth off the chasing pack, seven they need a five point haul from this tie and hope their Nenagh neighbours topple Barnhall and hope they do not get any bonus points, a weekend of favours elsewhere makes this league as interesting as ever.
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.