After months preparing, Division 2C of the AIL returns this weekend with newcomers Clogher Valley hoping to claim an historic first win in the competition.
Tullamore v Galwegians, Friday October 6th, Spollanstown, 8pm
The Friday night lights will get the 2C season underway as Tullamore home to get the ground running against Galwegians. What promises to be a juggernaut battle between two very strong sides.
Led by captain Barry Bracken, the Offaly outfit will look to better last term’s third place finish, they agonisingly missed out on the play-off decider losing to eventual winners Skerries. Darin Claasen has a strong squad and with the prep work done in recent weeks in the League, they hope to make it count this weekend.
Relegated from 2B last season via the play-offs, Galwegians have assembled a squad with a blend of youth and experience hoping that will propel them back up to 2B next season. One of their new crop of young talents is Liam Angerman, he joined from Garryowen having also represented St Munchins in the Munster Schools Senior Cup earlier this year and is an exciting prospect in the back row.
Ballina v Clogher Valley, Saturday October 7th, Heffernan Park, 2:30pm
On the final day of the 2023/23 season Ballina were safe from the relegation play-offs, a try scoring bonus enough to keep them in 2C this season, now they face the new boys for this season Clogher Valley.
Darragh Whyte crossed late on to preserve Ballina’s senior status for another season, now having to face the dreaded play-offs to keep their spot. Now the new season can give them renewed optimism of a higher placed finish, now long ago they were a 2B side and almost faced consecutive relegations. Will we see them returning to form this season, it all begins Saturday.
In their relatively short 33 year history Clogher Valley became a senior side for the first time beating Richmond in the play-off final in April last. The Tyrone side will hope to make a big splash in the division and with an away trip to start the year off, captain Paul Armstrong will hope to lead his side to big things this season.
Clonmel v Bruff, Saturday October 7th, Ardgaoithe, 2:30pm
Not just a Munster Derby in Ardgaoithe this weekend, a renewal of acquaintances of the two sides who were fighting for the final promotion spot last season. Bruff took fourth on the final day and almost went to 2B as a result, now they will head into battle once again in 2C.
Clonmel looked to have booked their place but were defeated by Midleton on the final day, now they dust themselves off for a new season opener against a team they beat on both occasions last term. It is a new season however so they will have a degree of caution but in the off season they have been playing well.
The East Limerick side return to 2C on a mission to be one of the front runners right from the off. Assembling a squad of both youth and experience, they have a solid foundation with a host of last year’s contingent still in the firing line for this year. Bruff were a tricky test last year and will hope for the same this season.
Enniscorthy v Omagh Academicals, Saturday October 7th, Alcast Park, 2:30pm
After a season in 2B, 2021/22 Champions Enniscorthy are back in 2C hoping it will be only a short term stay, Omagh on the other hand will look to better by their standards what was a poor finish to last season’s campaign.
For the Wexford side, they found the going tough last season. Four wins from their 18 games saw them finish bottom. It was only four points away from the play-offs however, they could have stayed up but the wins failed to materialise, now back in 2C can they start where they left off, being a dominant force in the division.
Omagh needed some final day magic to ensure they did not face the drop, a try scoring and losing bonus point enough to see them finish 7th. It was a similar fate to the campaign a season prior, when they journeyed to Alcast Park they left on the wrong end of a 45-17 score line, will history repeat itself or can they start off on the winning front.
Midleton v Bangor, Saturday October 7th, Towns Park, 2:30pm
On their return to AIL action in Towns Park, Midleton looked for the ideal start based on last year’s second from bottom finish. Bangor face the trip from Ulster, a long journey one they will hope ends with points.
Preserving their status as a senior club was the goal when Midleton defeated Richmond at the end of last season. Giving their area a senior club to play rugby and now they look to push on and be a competitive side. With some talented underage players and a few older heads in their ranks, they will be out to impress.
After a third placed finish in the 21/22 season, Bangor looked a solid shout for a shot at the title or even promotion, however neither transpired. Winning six from a possible 18 games, they finished sixth, two points above the drop zone where their opponents this weekend occupied. Bangor have won their last five opening day encounters, all coming on home soil, can they extend that record on Leeside.
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.