As we enter the new year, four teams needing their Round 9 ties decided as the race for promotion really starts to heat up with the second half of the season about to get underway shortly.
Midleton V Bruff, Saturday January 7th, Towns Park, 2:30pm
Another Munster derby in the rebel stronghold as Bruff look to make up lost ground this weekend, as Midleton are aiming to make up for defeat last time out.
Midleton felt the fire of Instonians in their last outing slipping to seventh place after the cancellations, with how tight it is around that mid table area, they’ll aim to avoid dropping further places and try to remain with the chasing pack for fourth.
The Limerick side narrowly lost 30-28 to Clonmel last time out and will try not to suffer back to back defeats and slip down the table, they have shown their ability but a win this weekend would give them a good chance at promotion as the second half of the season is about to get underway.
Tullamore V Ballina, Saturday January 7th, Spollanstown, 2:30pm
Tullamore are aiming to keep within the league leaders and claw back the 14 point deficit, with bottom placed Ballina the opponents this weekend.
The Offaly natives are just ahead of Skerries in the pursuit of Instonians on top of the table, the title is still on their minds but a massive gap looks daunting based on how Stones are playing right now, Tullamore will need to remain calm and composed and focused on their results to keep them within a chance, this game in hand will be important.
For the first time this season, Ballina come into a game having won the previous one to give them some momentum, they are still bottom but could produce another strong result to see them climb the table, but it will not be easy but a gallant second half performance in their last meeting showed that they can be competitive.
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.