2B continues to be a question mark this season as the competitive nature continues to be apparent this season, Instonians hope to continue to lead come Saturday evening, while the battle for fourth spot is another tasty prospect.
Sligo v Belfast Harlequins, Saturday December 2nd, Hamilton Park, 2pm
In the early kick off in 2B, Sligo hope to preserve their fourth place spot and keep pressure on those above as Belfast Harlequins travel to Hamilton Park.
Sligo lost narrowly to Dolphin in round five and will need a much improved performance to keep hold of that fourth spot. With Rainey and Dungannon within catching distance with victories this weekend, one slip up could cost them early ground in the promotion race. Sligo are very strong on their day and with back to back wins here against the same opposition, they will fancy taking further points.
Harlequins are out of form making the trip down from the north, defeats in their last two meetings, led to a tumble down the standings to seventh spot. Now they sit four ahead of the drop zone places and need a resurgent performance to knock them into gear. Dungannon struggled with the wind earlier this season, Charlie Beatie has been incredible in his debut season, if the weather is calm come Saturday, will the youngster be the difference.
Instonians v Malahide, Saturday December 2nd, Shaws Bridge, 2:30pm
Leaders Instonians welcome an out-of-favour Malahide to Shaws Bridge hoping to continue their impressive unbeaten streak.
Since their promotion Instonians have been the team to beat and set the pace in the division, while they have had strong results, Wanderers (38-39) and Galway Corinthians (36-21) have been their biggest test to date. History makers for sure, the storied three year unbeaten run has been the stuff of legends and if they can keep this going, will we see back to back championships head their way.
It will be a first meeting of these two and Malahide certainly need the points to keep the threat of relegation away. Early days still but they are three points away from the dreaded places and cannot afford to extend their losing streak to three games with defeat this weekend. They gave Wanderers a real battle last time out and have done that a lot this campaign, the 56-7 loss to Corinthians and the 31-12 defeat to Sligo, the real blemish on their defeats this campaign.
Rainey Old Boys v Skerries, Saturday December 2nd, Hatrick Park, 2:30pm
Rainey have been resurgent in recent weeks and a win here combined with Sligo slipping up at home would see them sit fourth on Saturday evening.
Consecutive wins have taken the men from Magherafelt to within three points of Sligo. Score difference also will come into play but a win is needed regardless to keep that pressure applied. Rainey were on a four game losing streak and have seriously turned their fortunes around in recent weeks, can they further that this weekend where it all began on home soil.
Skerries at times have found the transition to 2B tough, one win coming from their opening six games, they were on a three game unbeaten run prior to round six defeating Dolphin and scoring two draws in succession. Heavily beaten by Corinthians the second occasion this season they only notched three points in a game, they now must turn that fortune around against a Rainey outfit that will prove to be a real banana skin.
Wanderers v Dolphin, Saturday December 2nd, Merrion Road, 2:30pm
Wanderers have looked a strong prospect in 2B this season and will be out to continue that this weekend as bottom placed Dolphin make the trip to the capital.
The Chaps had their three game winning run ended by Instonians in round five on home soil but bounced back well to defeat Malahide last time out. A result that keeps them a strong candidate to fight for not only promotion but the title as you never know what can happen in 2B.
For Dolphin they need points sat bottom they cannot afford dropping two divisions in two seasons. Revitalised by their 25-24 win over Sligo two weeks ago, just a second win for the Cork outfit this term, is that the spark to take them out of the drop zone. A win here combined with Malahide suffering defeat would be enough, another big game for the Musgrave Park faithful, another stern test in truth.
Dungannon v Galway Corinthians, Saturday December 2nd, Stevenson Park, 3pm
Plenty of history between these two in the late kick off, Dungannon meet Galway Corinthians for the first time since their promotion semi-final last season.
Just as it looked like Corinthians were on the way up, Dungannon came out 12-8 winners taking their spot as the Galway side looked impressive all of last year. This season Dungannon are off the pace and slipped down to sixth place as a result of four defeats and a draw in their last five. Will the fact that consecutive wins over Corinthians at the tail end of last season give them a little extra motivation to kick on remains a question for Saturday.
One defeat this season to Instonians is the only blemish on what is another strong campaign by Corinthians. High scorers and the best defence in 2B, they are contenders for sure. Points here crucial to keep on the coattails of Instonains as the race for the title intensifies, with a host of Connacht Academy players within their ranks, a squad bursting with talent has seen them get so close to promotion, will another performance here keep that mentality going.
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.