Across the lands in 2B this weekend we could see calculators out to determine the standings by Saturday evening, a host of teams can gain and lose ground this weekend as once again 2B is a competitive minefield.
Instonians v Dolphin, Saturday 20th January, Shaw’s Bridge, 2:30pm
Leaders Instonians have their third consecutive game in Belfast this weekend as Dolphin make the long journey to Shaw’s Bridge.
Coming off the back of home and away futures with local rivals Belfast Harlequins, Stones are back on home soil looking to pick up their 29th win in a row since coming back to the AIL at the beginning of the 2022-23 campaign. These two have history from the early days of the AIL and when they last met Stones won 69-21 to continue their winning ways against the Cork side. It’s bottom against top and the hosts will be red hot favourites to take the win in this one.
Dolphin ended a three game losing streak last weekend and with three teams deadlocked at the bottom of the table, a win here would go a long way to safety. It will be a massive test against a team like Instonians when they were well beaten back at the start of December in the home meeting. Dolphin have beaten sides who are contesting the top of the division before, they will need to be at their sparkling best to end this monumental run the hosts have.
Malahide v Dungannon, Saturday 20th January, Estuary Road, 2:30pm
Dungannon will aim to close the gap to Sligo this weekend if they can overcome an out of favour Malahide.
The Dubliners have one win in their last five outings and will be looking to rectify that slump in form this weekend with a home tie with Dungannon. Defeating Dolphin prior to the Christmas break it looked like they would kick on and move further from safety, now just a point separates them from the relegation zones. It will be an important result for the hosts as all three teams beneath them also face tough opponents this weekend.
Gannon bounced back from a round nine defeat to overcome Rainey last weekend, their second win in five meetings, the first a 20-5 win over Malahide in Stevenson Park. It continues to be an up and down season for Dungannon in terms of results, with the play-offs in sight this is their business end to get results and challenge for a spot, it all starts this weekend to keep that winning run going.
Rainey Old Boys v Corinthians, Saturday 20th January, Hatrick Park, 2:30pm
Galway Corinthians head north looking to continue to stay in pursuit of leaders Instonians, Rainey will provide stiff opposition at their home venue.
Defeat last time out saw Rainey lose ground in the race for the play-offs, form for them has been mixed of late winning two of their last five. Certainly a team that can compete from the first whistle to last, they will not look to squander any points that can take them to a play-off place. While Corinthians stormed home 35-7 winners in December, Rainey will aim for a better result this weekend.
Corinthians are high flying of late and with seven points between them and Instonians, they want to stay right on their coattails before they meet later in the second half of the season. Looking for their ninth win in a row this weekend, Corinthians will bring danger all over the park, a squad oozing talent as they look to get promoted this season.
Sligo v Skerries, Saturday 20th January, Hamilton Park, 2:30pm
Sligo seek a first win since early December this weekend hosting a Skerries side looking to propel themselves out of the relegation battle.
Sligo were left heartbroken not once but twice by Galway Corinthians in recent outings, suffering 10-7 and 15-11 defeats as they could not add a late score to swing the game in either case. Having drawn with Skerries 14-14 the last time these two faced off, Sligo have failed to take four points in three outings and could lose their fourth spot if this continues.
Skerries meanwhile have taken a bonus win and share of the points with Sligo in their last five, however coming off two heavy defeats to Wanderers, they are in poor form. Not scoring last time out was a disappointing scenario to face, they cannot dwell on that and can a week make all the difference, can Skerries come back from that and really test Sligo, they did it just over a month ago.
Wanderers v Belfast Harlequins, Saturday 20th January, Merrion Road, 2:30pm
Should Galway Corinthians slip up this weekend, Wanderers who sit a point behind may land second spot in the standings, they host second from bottom Belfast Harlequins at Merrion Road.
For Wanderers there are numerous scenarios which could see them take second place, all three do revolve around a win in this tie. If they win and Corinthians lose then second place is secured, if they win and Corinthians win it remains as you were, should they take a bonus win and Corinthians win, they would need a 22 point differential to land second spot, if Corinthians also win by a bonus it remains the same scenario as a normal win for both.
The Chaps have worked tirelessly to get themselves in the play-offs and look a dead cert to book a spot, the seeding will be important and that second palace looks all the more valuable as Instonians look tough to catch. Five from five with bonus points to boot, this team looks incredibly strong and having won 41-12 up in Belfast, they know the recipe for success against the Ulstermen.
Harlequins will aim to turn around that result from early December as they are in a dogfight to stay up. Losing each of their last five games, form is not with the Belfast men and they need results sooner rather than later. Last time out they gave Instonians a real battle, a performance that on the outside you wouldn’t think they are a team fighting for survival taking on the leaders. Harlequins when on form are incredible and can battle any team, they need that mentality to return going into this weekend, time will slowly run out if they fail to take points.
More Info on Division 2B here.
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.