With just five games left to go, we enter the real business end of the season, teams tussle for positions in the league, with promotion and relegation battles to be decided.
Ballina V Bruff, Saturday 25th February, Heffernan Park, 2:30pm
Bruff aim to bounce back from defeat last weekend, as they look to continue their top four pursuit away at strugglers Ballina.
Another defeat last weekend for Ballina means they desperately need points as the weeks slowly draw to an end for the season, they are four behind Omagh who have a tricky test this weekend, it really is make or break at this stage for them.
Bruff on the other hand were looking strong to test their Munster neighbours Clonmel for their fourth spot, but Instonians proved too strong, the Limerick men have been a quality side and will hope to end the season strong with just five games left.
Bangor V Clonmel, Saturday 25th February, Upritchard Park, 2:30pm
Clonmel aim to build a winning streak in this latter stage of the season to solidify a spot in the top four.
Bangor will prove a challenge, but defeat last weekend to Midleton show’s they can be toppled, a stark difference from last season for the Ulstermen, a win would boost their morale as a mid table finish looks to be on the cards.
Clonmel impressed last weekend, grabbing a bonus point win over Ballina, they know the battle for their fourth spot will be a closely fought one despite Bruff stumbling last weekend, they have a real chance if they don’t get too complacent.
Instonians V Sundays Well, Saturday 25th February, Shaws Bridge, 2:30pm
Leaders Instonians host bottom side Sundays Well this weekend, a David V Golliath battle that the leaders hope warrants a 14th win of the season.
With one hand on the title Instonians hope to end the season with a perfect record in the competition, across all divisions they are only one of two teams to remain unbeaten, the only ones to grab a bonus point in every game this season, now they look to keep that on track this weekend.
Well are struggling and this game this weekend looks on cards to be their 11th defeat of the season, they need to get points fast but unless they get the miracle of all miracles and do what no one else has done then another defeat is on the cards.
Skerries V Midleton, Saturday 25th February, Holmpatrick, 2:30pm
Skerries were unlucky not to be promoted last season, this time around they look a strong shout to make it through, they’ll hope to keep a positive run alive as they host Midleton.
The Goats sit third in the table but are right on the tail of Tullamore who sit just behind them, they were really tested by Omagh last weekend but took the points, another strong performance this weekend will have morale high.
Midelton travel to the north Dublin coastline, looking to build on last weekend’s impressive win, they haven’t had much of a winning streak going this season, but points will aid their hopes of avoiding the dreaded bottom two places.
Tullamore V Omagh Academicals, Saturday 25th February, Spollanstown, 2:30pm
Tullamore look to remain focused on the job at hand in the promotion race with Omagh looking to find late form to remain outside the bottom two.
They done the business last weekend as they put in a strong performance to topple Well, this time Omagh will be a stronger side, but Tullamore need to perform here if they hope to go up.
Omagh are four points off the bottom two places, with the risks associated with those spots the rewards of 2C competition next year is the reward on offer, they hope to avoid the drop but will need to pick up wins to do so.
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.