With this round marking five games left of the 2C season, things are really heating up, from a meeting of two of the top four to promotion and relegation battles, it really is another exciting weekend of action.
Ballina v Midleton, Saturday February 17th, Heffernan Park, 2:30pm
Bottom placed Ballina have the chance to jump off the foot of the standings in what is a must win game over Midleton.
With just four rounds left after this weekend, time is running out for Ballina in their hopes of staying up. The Mayo men have lost their last five games in a row and need to turn their fortunes around in these final weeks to stay up.
Midleton have no worries about the drop this season and look to finish mid-table as their promotion hopes took a dent last weekend. Very much the Cork side can look ahead to next year with team selection, they will want to finish this year on the strong foot however.
Clogher Valley v Bruff, Saturday February 17th, The Cran, 2:30pm
The tie of the weekend will see the leaders Clogher Valley meet Bruff, as the hosts bid to keep their title charge alive in these final weeks.
Clogher have a six point gap to Galwegians and after a three game winning streak, the ambition is to make it four this weekend. The Cran faithful won 36-20 when the pair met in Limerick earlier this year and in their first season in the AIL, this could be an incredible achievement.
Bruff will put up a fight as they do not want to lose any momentum between now and the play-off games. That is should they make it, sitting third they have a seven point cushion to fifth place, that gap is far from a guarantee, if they can defeat the leaders it would put them in good order in these final rounds.
Galwegians v Bangor, Saturday February 17th, Crowley Park, 2:30pm
After losing their last two games this game is very much a must win for Galwegians if they are to challenge for the 2C title.
The Tribesmen are very much in need of a win this weekend as that gap can only increase and they would need the play-off series to determine whether they go up or not. Wegians only lost one game prior to the meeting with Clogher and another tough game against Scorthy followed and they cannot afford a further slip up this weekend.
Bangor have their own worries, four adrift of Omagh in the safety, for them this game is also a must win tie. The Ulster club have lost their last two games and very much need a turn in fortune to avoid any risk of the drop. Very much a team with the quality they showed that losing by two points in the reverse tie in November.
Omagh Academicals v Clonmel, Saturday February 17th, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields, 2:30pm
With a home tie this weekend Omagh will be looking to keep their hopes of safety alive as Clonmel make the trip North.
Omagh suffered defeat last weekend but a losing bonus point did increase their gap to Bangor in the fight for survival. With their Ulster counterparts having a tough away trip, Accies will want to increase that gap but Clonmel are no easy task.
Clonmel won 37-21 when the pair last met, losing their last two games, the Tipp side very much need to regain their form or risk losing their place ahead of Omagh in the table. Form has been mixed for Clonmel two wins in their last five, they need to change that trend this weekend.
Tullamore v Enniscorthy, Saturday February 17th, Spollanstown, 2:30pm
Tullamore look for a sixth successive win in 2C this week as Enniscorthy provide a tough test in Spollanstown.
With fifth hosting fourth and only five points separating these two, Tullamore are still in the hunt for a promotion place. That being said the score difference very much favours the Wexford men, still if Tullamore managed a win or even a bonus win it would give them the hopes of taking fourth place in the coming weeks.
Scorthy will fight tooth and nail to keep their fourth spot and after defeating Galwegians last weekend they will arrive with confidence of taking another win. Scorthy have lost twice in their last five games, winning 52-19 when the pair last met will also give them confidence of taking another result.
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.