The title race in 2A could take another huge twist this weekend, with Blackrock College, Queens University and Cashel all in the mixer to try and take top spot.
Cashel V Blackrock College Saturday December 10th, Spafield, 2pm
What a way to wet the appetite early on Saturday afternoon, 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 weekend 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 December 10th, 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 last weekend, 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, it could very well be the same as last year, where they went into Christmas on top of the table.
Dolphin V Old Crescent, Saturday December 10th, Musgrave Park, 2:30pm
The Shannonsiders head to leeside, looking to put distance between them and the relegation battle, but Dolphin will be out for a big result this weekend.
Dolphin have lost the last four games in the division, with their last win coming back at the end of October against the team below them, in the table, they are at that make or break stage before the Christmas break, if they aim to get out of relegation sooner than later.
Old Crescent have a similar run of form to their Cork counterparts in theory last five, but do look that bit better going into this tie, the win last weekend has given them momentum to utilise going into this bottom of the table clash, a game that can see them go mid-table with a win.
Nenagh Ormond V Navan RFC, Saturday December 10th, New Ormond Park, 2:30pm
Two teams with different outcomes from last weekend meet in a mid table clash in Tipperary, as Navan leapfrogged their opponents last weekend.
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 end to the year for them.
Navan will be boosted by the 15-0 win over UL Bohemian at the weekend, 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 December 10th, 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.