The top four in 2B takes centre stage this weekend as second placed Galway Corinthians meet fourth placed Belfast Harlequins and top of the table Instonians travel to third placed Wanderers.
Dungannon v Skerries, Saturday November 11th, Stevenson Park, 2:30pm
Last year’s promotion finalists Dungannon hope to avoid a four game losing streak when they welcome Skerries to Stevenson Park on Saturday afternoon.
Confidence is key and Dungannon need to get a win back under their belts to rise back up the standings. Consecutive defeats have come the way or narrow margins, a single point in defeat to Belfast Harlequins and last weekend it was two points to Wanderers. Plenty of ability in their ranks to take a result, the primary objective is to end their recent losing streak.
Skerries meanwhile have had a mixed bag of results in their first season in 2B, sitting just behind this weekend’s opponents. Ronan Mulcahy is a key asset for the goats and his kicking exploits earned them a draw last weekend against Harlequins. Sitting a point outside of the relegation places, a win this weekend over an out of confidence side would be a massive plus.
Galway Corinthians v Belfast Harlequins, Saturday November 11th, Corinthian Park, 2:30pm
One of two top four meetings this weekend, Galway Corinthians hope to continue a challenge for the title against a resurgent Belfast Harlequins.
Corinthians certainly look like a dog with a bone in the division in the early part of the season. Having failed to fight for promotion last season they once again look a likely contender. With another incredible display in Musgrave Park last Friday night, when they get an inch they take a mile and constantly keep the scoreboard ticking in their favour.
Harlequins have slowly taken their chances well and are now hoping to nail down a place in the top four this weekend, claiming a scalp over Corinthians the ideal result, one however that has proved tough in the past. Of their previous three meetings they have just one win coming at home, when heading to Galway they have suffered a 54-14 defeat last December, while over two years ago it was a much closer 19-17 score line. Unbeaten in their last two they hope to extend that this weekend.
Rainey Old Boys v Dolphin, Saturday November 11th, Hatrick Park, 2:30pm
A bottom of the table meeting in Hatrick Park is very much a relegation eight pointer between the sides sat in ninth and tenth spot respectively.
Rainey are yet to score a win but sit ahead of Dolphin by virtue of bonus points, despite their opponents having a win this campaign. In their first and most recent outing they came so close but just could not take a result in the end, losing by two points to Sligo and six to Malahide last weekend. Other results have not been as close and this contest is one they will hope brings a much needed win.
Dolphin relegated from 2A last season, currently occupy the drop zone in 2B after four rounds of action. Despite taking a hard earned win against Harlequins in round 2, they have failed to push on and could face a third loss in a row should they falter on the road this weekend. A win for the Cork outfit combined with Skerries suffering defeat would see them jump out of the relegation zone.
Sligo v Malahide, Saturday November 11th, Hamilton Park, 2:30pm
Having suffered a heavy defeat last weekend moving them out of the top four, Sligo aim to bounce back but face a banana skin in the form of Malahide.
Consecutive defeats have been an early setback for Sligo and they will hope a third does not follow this weekend. 33 points was the margin last weekend as they were beaten by Instonians but that loss cannot dwell on their minds this weekend. Meetings with Malahide have proved fruitful for Sligo in the past winning three of their last four, two wins coming in front of their Hamilton Park faithful.
Malahide returned to winning ways last weekend just a point separates them from Harlequins in fourth spot and they certainly have eyes on that spot. Level with Sligo on points and score difference it is hard to separate these two. Following a heavy defeat to Corinthians in round 3 they bounced back well last weekend and will hope to occupy fourth come Saturday evening.
Wanderers v Instonians, Saturday November 11th, Merrion Road, 2:30pm
Probably the tie of the weekend in 2B, can Wanderers be the team to end Instonians 22 game unbeaten run or will the Belfast side prove too strong.
Wanderers are looking very impressive in these early rounds winning three from four, their ten point deficit to Corinthians could have gone either way. The Chaps have secured the points with a strong attack that has punctured defences in many different circumstances so far this season. Last weekend it was nervy in the finish but they still proved too strong. Can they do what no one else has done?
Instonians will have confidence coming into this fixture, why wouldn’t they?. 22 straight bonus point wins since their debut last season, the Belfast side are creating a real aura about them. Certainly on paper putting fear into teams they have never faced before based on their incredible run, 26 tries in four games they also possess an incredible attacking output, this has all the billing of an absolute classic.
More Info on Division 2B available 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.