One of the most competitive divisions in the AIL, Greystones try to remain unbeaten at the top with Galway Corinthians just behind, a battle for promotion continues with third to seventh all fighting for top four.
Dungannon V Rainey Old Boys, Saturday January 14th, Stevenson Park, 2:30pm
Having swapped places in the race for top four last weekend, the neighbours go again this weekend out for the chance to remain a contender to move up a division.
Dungannon just fell short last weekend despite Lewis McCrabbe scoring a try in the 77th minute to give his side a late chance at an equaliser, the missed conversion only saw them leave with a losing bonus point, they will need to be active for the full 80 this time around to pick up the win.
Rainey controlled the opening half last weekend, but stumbled home to the win in the second, getting a third try proved pivotal and the conversion the difference maker as they now need to control this tie and not allow for the same if they aim to keep that top four spot secure.
Enniscorthy V Galwegians, Saturday January 14th, Alcast Park, 2:30pm
Bottom host second from bottom in a relegation encounter in Wexford, however ten points separates them as things stand, with Wegians hopeful of escaping from the bottom two.
Scorthy will look to put 2022 behind them as they start a new year with a fresh outlook they can remain a 2B side, eight defeats in nine is not an ideal stat for them but last year they finished strong to get out of 2C, they need to find that spark to get them winning games once again.
Defeating Enniscorthy 41-18 at Crowley Park before Christmas was just the first win of the year for Wegians, it helped end their slump of form and now after the break they’ll be out for a second win on the spin to chase down Malahide in eight.
Galway Corinthians V Sligo, Saturday January 14th, Corinthian Park, 2:30pm
Corinthians will be out to try leapfrog the league leaders this weekend, four adrift they host Sligo in an all Connacht affair.
Defeating Sligo with a bonus point win before Christmas kept them in the title race ands now we are fully back to business in 2023 they go again in search of the same result, a win draws them level with Greystones should they suffer defeat, score difference would then decide just who finishes the round on top.
After losing before the break Sligo will be out to spoil the day of their Galway hosts, a win for them puts them in a fight for fourth as three points is the gap between them and Dungannon, outplayed on home soil they need a big win to get the year off to the right start.
Malahide V Belfast Harlequins, Saturday January 14th, Estaury Road, 2:30pm
After last weekend’s dramatic stalemate, both teams will be out to get much needed wins as league position really is coming into play.
A crazy final few players describes Malahide’s comeback from being 19-0 down with not long left on the clock last weekend, the made the impossible look possible and shocked the Belfast outfit, a win can ease the threats of relegation if they can show what they are capable of.
Harlequins remained fifth after last weekend’s draw but know a win had them in the top four, they know it was a disappointing result and with the race for promotion in 2B so tight losing games like that just isn’t on the cards if they want to be in 2A next year, this game is one they need to put in that performance to showcase what they can do.
Wanderers V Greystones, Saturday January 14th, Merrion Road, 2:30pm
Greystones are looking to start 2023 on a winning note and extend their unbeaten run to ten games, they travel to sixth placed Wanderers.
The hosts lost by a single point at Dr Hickey Park before Christmas, they gave Stones a huge test and dominated the opening half only for some ill discipline and a late penalty cost them in the second half, an upset very well could be caused at Merrion Road.
Stones are out to keep their place at the top of the table and also keep that perfect record blemish free, the game before Christmas can also be a wake up call that they need to be more precise in games to get a positive outcome after just scraping over the line in the end.
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.