The mouth-watering tie of Instonians and Wanderers will headline the action from 2B this weekend, elsewhere all eyes will be on the foot of the table as that relegation battle intensifies.
Belfast Harlequins v Galway Corinthians, Saturday February 17th, Deramore Park, 2:30pm
The race is on for Belfast Harlequins to stay afloat in 2B, they need to take points this weekend but the visit of Galway Corinthians will be a daunting one.
Quins have lost their last nine games and are in desperate need of a return to winning ways, while they are a team who have shown quality this season, it has not warranted results. With four games left after this weekend Skerries, Dungannon, Dolphin and Malahide all await.
Corinthians lost by the narrowest of margins in the dying embers of their contest last weekend, their second defeat in five games. The Tribesmen are very much still a contender for the play-offs but lost serious ground in the title race, they will want to be full of momentum coming into that series of games later this season.
Dolphin v Rainey RFC, Saturday February 17th, Virgin Media Park, 2:30pm
As they occupy second from bottom in the table, Dolphin are still fighting for their survival and meet promotion chasing Rainey this weekend.
The Leesiders have had some narrow defeats in recent weeks taking just one win from their last five games. With the season not far off coming to a conclusion, they need to claw their way to safety, just four points the margin between them and Malahide, their score difference is a worry if that is what separates them between safety and the relegation play-offs.
Rainey are nine behind Sligo with five games left including this trip to Cork. Mathematically they are still in the hunt, playing Sligo on the final day, they will need results to favour them in the coming weeks. For now it all starts by taking a win over Dolphin, they did that already with a 62-17 win in November.
Instonians v Wanderers, Saturday February 17th, Shaws Bridge, 2:30pm
Probably the game of the weekend across the five Divisions, certainly the top game of 2B as leaders Instonians meet second placed Wanderers.
Will the Instonians record be extended or will Wanderers bring their record to a halt. The Ulstermen have been on such a remarkable run, to go an entire second season unbeaten and record another title success is unheard of. Still Instonians could achieve that, when last they met Wanderers it was a close game and this will be the same.
For The Chaps this would be a game they need to win if they are to take a shot at the 2B title. Wanderers are on a strong run of form of late but this is one of their biggest tests as they suffered defeat to Instonians earlier in the year one of two defeats they have suffered this year.
Malahide v Sligo, Saturday February 17th, Estuary Road, 2:30pm
Sligo look to strengthen their hopes of a spot in the play-offs as they travel to Malahide who are on the verge of dropping to the relegation places.
Malahide are four clear of the drop zone and have had a degree of good form in recent weeks with two wins in their last five games. They did suffer a heavy defeat to Wanderers last weekend and are looking to avoid a third straight setback this weekend.
Sligo have been in strong form of late and will hope a fourth win in succession comes their way if they can take the spoils in Merrion Road. Having both ended last year and started this year on the losing front they have turned it around, with just nine points keeping them in the play-offs they will want to keep this momentum going.
Skerries v Dungannon, Saturday February 17th, Holmpatrick, 2:30pm
Both Skerries and Dungannon could fall into the relegation battle if sides beneath them score points and they fail to do the same this weekend, very much an eight pointer in Holmpatrick.
While Skerries moved to six with an incredible win last weekend, they are four ahead of Malahide and are not yet assured of their safety. The Goats have won their last two games, their only wins in their last five so they are on a hot streak facing the side just beneath them in the table.
Having lost their last three fixtures, Dungannon very much need a change of fortune if they are to avoid dropping further down the order in 2B. The Ulstermen came so close to 2A last season and have struggled to find that form once again, points here are a must for them.
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.