The title race in 2A continues after the enforced weather break, with Blackrock College, Queens University and Cashel all in the mix to try and take top spot.
Cashel V Blackrock College Saturday January 7th, Spafield, 2:30pm
What a way to wet the appetite as 2A kicks back into gear after the weather cancellations, the game of the weekend in 2A as the league leaders travel to meet third placed Cashel.
Cashel have proven to be a powerhouse in 2A and are a bonus point win away from a potential spot at the top of the table, provided Queens suffer defeat, the Tipperary side fell to defeat to Queens last time out in a tight affair in Ulster, they will seek a win this weekend to add more spice to the title race.
The leaders will certainly be pushed to their limits this weekend, with the title race so close at the top, they cannot afford a loss with Queens and even MU Barnhall waiting in the wings to pounce.
Ballymena V Queens University, Saturday January 7th, Eaton Park, 2:30pm
In the Ulster derby Queens know a win could see them overtake Blackrock if they fail to get a result, while Ballymena look to find form against a team who have shown they can be toppled.
Two wins in their last five have seen Ballymena move down the table, far from an ideal scenario being down in seventh, but four points at a minimum could see them gain some ground in the table, a boost for morale is needed if they want to finish high in the table.
Queens made up for their defeat to Nenagh by toppling Cashel in the final league encounter before the enforced break, it keeps them in the title picture just three points behind Blackrock, like an animal chasing its prey, they need to stay with them and strike when they get a chance.
Nenagh Ormond V Navan RFC, Saturday January 7th, New Ormond Park, 2:30pm
Two teams with different outcomes from their last respective league appearances meet in a mid table clash in Tipperary, as Navan leapfrogged their opponents with Nenagh down to seventh after Old Crescent won in the only game to have gone ahead in Round 9 before Christmas.
Nenagh were unable to build on that win over Queens as they suffered a late defeat to Blackrock, despite dominating for a large part of the game leading 14-0, the second half proved not to be in the end, they have shown their ability this season to get results and it would be an ideal start to the year for them.
Navan will be boosted by the 15-0 win over UL Bohemian in Round 8, as they go in search of a second win in a row, in the hopes of finding that early season form which saw them contesting the top four spots in the table.
UL Bohemian V MU Barnhall, Saturday January 7th, Annacotty, 2:30pm
MU Barnhall have worked their way into the hunt for promotion, some great results of late leaves them inside the top four, while UL Bohemians are out to spoil the party in Limerick.
Bohs are facing a ninth straight defeat in the league, but many times this season we have seen them make games highly competitive taking four losing bonus points, which make up a huge chunk of their points total.
Four wins from their last five has Barnhall looking like a strong contender in the hunt for promotion, while some games may have seen a single point separate them for their opponents, they have dominated other ties and based on the form guide this a game they’ll be out to take points from.
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.