AIL Preview: Division 2B Round 11

Division 2B of the Energia All Ireland League has been a battleground so far this season and as we have well passed the halfway point, the race kicks into another gear. Five teams can all stake their claim for fourth spot, depending on how results play out across the Division.

Dungannon v UL Bohemian, Saturday January 18th, Stevenson Park, 2:30pm

An all top four clash for Dungannon and UL Bohemian will certainly be an exciting one, and my dropped points here can strengthen Wanderers lead along with inviting teams to join that top four race.

Dungannon are six adrift of the leaders and if they falter this weekend, it could well open a double digit lead at the summit of the table. Gannon lost the reverse tie in Annacotty and in turn lost both their recent meetings with The Robins. After a grueling Ulster derby with Malone at the weekend, where they won by two points, they are battle hardened looking for a third straight win.

Bohs climbed the ranks into third spot last weekend, and while they have had some mixed results this season, they started 2025 on a strong note putting seven tries past Malahide in a high scoring clash last time out. That win in UL did follow a defeat in Malone and they also lost in Malahide a week later. Just once this season have they won away from home, could that change this weekend?.

Malahide v Galwegians, Saturday January 18th, Estuary Road, 2:30pm

After a tough start Galwegians have turned their season around and a win this weekend could well put them knocking on the play-off door. From a seven game losing streak to three games unbeaten, the Westerners remain optimistic as they travel to Malahide.

While they take on a team they were near in the table just a few rounds ago, bottom placed Malahide still pose a big threat. Against UL at the weekend it was not to be another win on the board, it still was a commendable performance. Their last home tie did bring points over the Limerick side, and they have made it a tough place to go this season, defeating Sligo and they also put Skerries under pressure.

Wegians will know just how tough this venue can be, they lost their last three trips here, dating back to 2020. Coming off the back of those three wins will give them that belief, Malahide at home was their first win of the year, and they have not looked back since getting the monkey off their back that day.

Rainey v Malone, Saturday January 18th, Hatrick Park, 2:30pm

It will be a big promotion eight pointer for Rainey and Malone this weekend, with the pair still very much in the hunt for a play-off place. However at the other end of the table, they look to distance themselves from relegation worries.

Rainey were on the losing side when the pair locked horns in Gibson Park, and with a mixed bag of results this season, they did pick up a win just before Christmas. While an Ulster derby was to start 2025, it was not to be this one, another home tie for Tim Barker’s charges to sink their teeth into.

Malone had try scoring machine Dan Kerr make it a nervy end to their clash with Dungannon at the weekend, Kerr has nine tries to his name and Matty Smyth continues to sweep up the points from the kicking tee. Aiming to avoid a third loss in succession, the pair who proved the difference in the reverse tie could well do the same again. Kerr grabbed a hat trick that day.

Skerries v Clogher Valley, Saturday January 18th, Holmpatrick, 2:30pm

Skerries dropped to fourth spot in the table last weekend after their defeat to Wanderers, another defeat could see them fall further down the pecking order, as fifth placed Clogher Valley aim for home and away wins over The Goats.

The seasiders have recorded two wins in their last five, and have taken a dip in the form we saw at the start of the season. By half time last weekend the damage was done against Wanderers, while in the reverse tie in The Cran, Valley dominated in the second half. Skerries will be out for a more complete performance to return to winning ways.

Last weekend served as a weekend off for the Ulster side as their game with Rainey was postponed due to an unplayable pitch. With a game in hand to come next month, Valley are well rested and optimistic to move back up the table as they dropped out of the top four following that postponement. Also coming into this tie off the back of a defeat, Valley will seek improvement to remain in the promotion race.

Sligo v Wanderers, Saturday January 18th, Hamilton Park, 2:30pm

Wanderers remain the pole sitters and could well stretch their lead at the summit this weekend, first on the agenda will be a trip to Sligo, which can be an unforgiving place to go for many.

The Merrion Road faithful will cast one eye on the Dungannon UL Bohemian game, but despite being at the foot of the table, Sligo still pose a huge threat. While they got a win at this venue in October of 2023, it proved even trickier for Wanderers in the past. With some good form on their backs, they are favoured to get over the line.

Sligo meanwhile have seen both of their wins this season come on home soil. Only score difference keeps them ninth in the table, as they sit nine points away from Malone in eight. The Westerners last win arrived in Round 5, points are a must if they are to stay up this season.

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.

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