After last week’s narrow defeat Queens University will look to return to winning ways, with Dungannon and Navan both within reach of the leaders.
UL Bohemian V Old Crescent, Sat November 5th, Annacotty, 2pm
In the Limerick derby on Shannonside, the bottom two sides in the table go head to head in Annacotty hoping to find form.
UL rose above their opponents after bonus points went in their favour after losing Dolphin, leaving them a point ahead of their neighbours going into the weekend.
Crescent suffered a fourth loss in a row as they fell to Navan in a tight affair at Takumi Park, they worked hard to come back but scores proved hard to come by as Navan kicked a late penalty to ensure the win, a win would kick start their season if they can perform well.
Cashel V Ballymena, Sat November 5th, Spafield, 2:30pm
Cashel will hope to regain their spot in the top four, having lost their spot to their opponents this weekend Ballymena.
Cashel suffered defeat to Barnhall losing by just a point in the end after a strong second half by Barnhall, they were ahead at halftime but struggled to put the game to bed as Banrhall were victorious, they will look to regain ground this time.
Ballymena got their third win of the season last weekend despite a nervy ending against Nenagh, it could be a case of deja vu if they are to falter against a Tipperary side in 2A.
MU Barnhall V Blackrock College, Sat November 5th, Parsonstown, 2:30pm
Second placed Barnhall hope to win a third consecutive game as they meet Barnhall who have found their feet in the last week.
Barnhall even last year had form that dipped and rose at times, defeat two weeks ago however it was narrow and a win last time out, shows they lack some consistency, a second win could see them get a streak going.
Blackrock produced the wildest finish to a game in 2A, defeating Queens with a last minute drop goal having conceded one minutes earlier, if Queens struggle this weekend they will aim to snatch first spot should they get over Barnhall.
Navan V Queens University, Sat November 5th, Balreask Old, 2:30pm
Leaders Queens need a win to keep onto first spot and not see heads drop after defeat last weekend, Navan sitting in third could drop them down further in the table with a win, it really becomes winner takes all.
Navan had a low scoring tight affair on Shannonside but were happy to leave as winners, now Queens pose a big threat in their backyard they could claim a huge scalp as Queens may struggle this weekend.
The game against Blackrock wou;ld have left you breathless, both displaying quality scoring in a close knit game, Queens felt they had done enough but defeat wa sadly what they ended up with, now they have to pick themselves up as the bonus points last weekend kept them in first, but now they need to focus and return to winning ways
Nenagh Ormond V Dolphin, Sat November 5th, New Ormond Park, 2:30pm
On a weekend where a lot of teams meet a side close to them, Nenagh and Dolphin make up the rest of the bottom four in the table, with little separating them.
Nenagh have a much better scoring difference -2 which sees them ahead, Nenagh dropped points despite a quality showing last weekend and if they can produce a similar performance they will be a tough opponent.
Dolphin defeated their Munster rivals UL last weekend but gained no major ground only to claw Nenagh back in the table, they did the job well in defeating UL next the side above them if they want to put ground between them and a relegation dogfight.
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.