2B is certainly competitive once again this year and round 12 promises to be another exciting instalment, with matters all over the table yet to be finalised.
Belfast Harlequins v Sligo, Saturday January 27th, Deramore Park, 2:30pm
Sligo will aim to further their hopes of making the playoffs by taking the points with an away trip to Belfast Harlequins.
The hosts now second from bottom are locked in a three way tie for safety, Skerries are marginally ahead on score difference, with Dolphin behind by virtue of the same outcome. If they were to lose this tie, a three point differential could move them out of the drop zone. A win is the desired scenario to boost their survival hopes, it could well make for another interning week at the bottom.
Sligo returned to winning ways with a strong bonus point result on home soil last weekend, can they replicate it at a ground where they have lost their last two meetings. Confidence will be high as of the sides they have the much better or the form, Quinns not winning a game since October losing seven games in succession. It was a narrow one point game when these two met in December, could we see that again this weekend?.
Dolphin v Wanderers, Saturday January 27th, Virgin Media Park, 2:30pm
After suffering a heavy defeat last weekend in Belfast, Dolphin have the chance to jump out of the drop zone but overcoming Wanderers will be another big test.
The Leesiders were on the end of a 86-7 defeat last weekend and will not want to suffer a similar fate against the side occupying second in the table. Certainly crunch time for Dolphin as the weeks tick by they will need a result otherwise we could well see them relegated yet again.
Wanderers are absolutely flying in 2B of late and with second spot theirs since last weekend, they aren’t about to let that slip anytime soon. The Chaps are six games unbeaten, a winning run that saw them win by 40 points when the two met in the capital, certainly the Dubliners will be red hot favourites.
Malahide v Instonians, Saturday January 27th, Estuary Road, 2:30pm
Leaders Instonians will look to hit 30 bonus point wins in a row as they head to the capital to face Malahide.
With just five points the margin between safety and a relegation scrap for Malahide, every game between now and the season’s end is important. Certainly a tough ask to take points in this tie when the opponents have not lost in three years. Having won last time out confidence is there to come and perform, it will certainly be a test to say the least.
Instonians ran out 59-10 winners when the teams faced each other in Belfast over a month ago, we could be in for a similar scenario with how much firepower Instonians are bringing in a squad oozing class. While they have been tested this season, once they get going it is hard to stop, that 2B title will be hard to take away from their grasp.
Skerries v Rainey Old Boys, Saturday January 27th, Holmpatrick, 2:30pm
A game with importance at both ends of the table, Skerries looking to move out of the relegation skirmish, Rainey looking for a place in the promotion playoffs.
The Goats with time slowly running out need the points if they are to remain in 2B for another season at least. Having lost their last three games by big margins, the hosts are in need of a performance to life them at a time where you need to be at your best to survive.
Rainey will hope Sligo fail to take points this weekend in Belfast as the gap currently stands at six points between the two for fourth spot. Defeating Corinthians last time out was a statement that they are certainly ready to stake a claim for promotion and will hope results go their way as the weeks go by.
Galway Corinthians v Dungannon, Saturday January 27th, Corinthian Park, 5pm
A game under lights on Saturday evening for Corinthians as they welcome Dungannon back to Corinthian Park for the first time since their promotion playoff meeting a few months back which Dungannon won.
Corinthians have been fruitful this year in 2B but will certainly rue their two defeats of the campaign which has seen them steer of course and end up in third position. The Tribesmen are very strong and having lost last weekend to Rainey will be determined not to endure a similar fate this weekend.
Dungannon are certainly off the pace of making the playoffs once again, the Ulster contingent must make up a nice point deficit to catch Sligo and unless they improve their score difference they need ten to pass the Connacht side. Results have not been easy to get for Gannon and losing last time out late on was soul destroying, they need to bounce back this weekend.
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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.