This weekend in the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A, will be a battle to see who can make the top four in the division, Cashel and Queens University have guaranteed their spots, with the final two spots undecided.
Nenagh Ormond V Cashel, Friday April 1st, 8pm, New Ormond Park
Defeat for Nenagh last weekend does see them reduced to ninth in the league, as they will have to play in a relegation play-off. Cashel meanwhile look to finish second as their top four spot is secured, an all Tipperary affair to kick off the weekend.
Nenagh remain five points ahead of Rainey, despite their 11th defeat of the season at the hands of Buccaneers last weekend, the 36-19 defeat reducing them to a play-off to stay in the division.
Cashel picked up their 11th win of the season, after surviving a late UL onslaught on their try line, to come out 22-15 winners they will look for a similar result this weekend, as they are just eight points ahead of Buccaneers.
Buccaneers V Ballymena, Saturday April 2nd, 2:30pm, Dubarry Park
Ballymena will be aiming for a big result this weekend to remain in the top four, taking on third placed Buccaneers, the visitors suffering defeat on the road last weekend.
Buccs were a controlled outfit in their win over Nenagh last weekend, controlling the game from the off despite being a tight affair at half time, leading 19-12 at the break they continued the strong showing into the second half.
Ballymena fell to a 25-17 defeat to Ballymena last weekend, a tight game down on Shannonside where they started on top leading 7-5 at half time, but failed to make headway in the second half, they will need a better showing this weekend.
Queens University V Old Crescent, Saturday April 2nd, 2:30pm, Dub Lane
Should Old Crescent pull off a huge win this weekend over Queens, they can make their way into the top four should Ballymena not get a result, Queens meanwhile remain top of the table looking to continue their dominance.
Queens looked as strong as ever against Dolphin last weekend, winning 46-29 in the end they blitzed the Cork outfit in the opening half leading 39-3. Their dominance continued in the second half, but they did find it hard at times to keep out Dolphin
Old Crescent moved up to fifth in the table, a late Paul McDermott try securing them the win and taking all the points, it was a tight game but a strong showing by the Limerick outfit in the second half was enough, to see them just outside the top four going into this weekend.
Rainey Old Boys V Dolphin, Saturday April 2nd, 2:30pm, Hatrick Park
Rainey Old Boys look set to finish bottom of the table, unless they can get results in the final two weekends, Dolphin have an outside chance to make the top four, but need some huge results and luck elsewhere to get it.
Rainey Old Boys had a narrow three point loss to Barnhall last weekend, going down 24-21 in the end after a strong showing in the tie they conceded a late penalty, which saw them ultimately facing the drop via the play-off.
Despite their strong second half showing against Queens, Dolphin failed to get a result last time out but can still make something out of the rest of their season in the last two weekends, a bonus point win can go a long way to the top four.
UL Bohemian V MU Barnhall, Saturday April 2nd, 2:30pm, UL Arena
Despite their defeat last weekend UL Bohemian will remain the division next year, as they have a positive points difference over the teams below, Barnhall meanwhile are still in with a chance of making the top four.
UL will feel hard done by not to get points last weekend, but they remain in the division which was the goal from their contest last weekend, they trailed 15-8 at half time but showed their ability in the second half, failing to score in the dying minutes of the game.
Barnhall put in a great showing last weekend against Old Boys, the narrow three point win a great result to finish the season on, the second half showing was a tight affair as Barnhall failed to secure the tie until the late score.
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.