Queens University are looking to push out their gap at the top of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A.
The Belfast students meet a struggling UL Bohemian this weekend, while their nearest challengers Ballymena meet second bottom Nenagh Ormond.
Cashel V Old Crescent, Saturday January 29th, 2:30pm, Spafield
Cashel will look to make it eight wins on the bounce, as they welcome Munster Rivals Old Crescent on home soil this weekend, the Tipperary club looking for the same result as their 40-19 win when they met back at the end of the November.
The hosts have propelled themselves up the table to within two points of second place, they overcame another Munster side in Dolphin 36-24 last weekend, they managed the bonus point in a dominant performance and will aim for a similar showing this weekend.
Old Crescent also gained ground in the table with another win in the division last weekend, they overcame Munster Rivals Nenagh 21-20 at Takumi Park. Dan Hurley crossed late for their third converted try, despite a late scare they held on for the minimum.
MU Barnhall V Dolphin, Saturday January 29th, 2:30pm, Parsonstown
MU Barnhall picked up points last weekend, they last tasted victory at the start of December, and want to break a recent rut of poor performances. Dolphin will be aiming to climb up the table once more, should they get a result this weekend and results go their way elsewhere.
Barnhall & Buccaneers shared the points in Maynooth last weekend, 20-20 in the end as the hosts dominated the opening half and managed to lead 13-10 at the break. Barnhall looked to have won the game at the death but Buccs managed to snatch and grab the result in the end.
Dolphin put in a good showing in a 36-24 defeat to Cashel, they managed to comeback from 19-3 to trail 31-24 late in the half, they looked to be on route for a sensational comeback but a late Cashel try saw it out.
Nenagh Ormond V Ballymena, Saturday January 29th, 2:30pm, New Ormond Park
In a game with implications at both ends of the table, Nenagh will have an uphill battle to try and get points to escape the bottom of the table. Ballymena meanwhile will look to try and cut the gap to Queens at the top of the table.
The hosts narrowly suffered defeat last weekend in a 21-20 defeat to Old Crescent, they managed to cross late to leave it a one point game but the clock was not on their side, as they failed to add another effort to secure the win.
Ballymena are ten points away from the top of the table, following last weekend’s 42-17 win over UL Bohemian, mena brushed aside the Limerick based students, running in six tries in a big bonus point win. They looked strong and will aim for another similar result against Limerick opposition.
Rainey Old Boys V Buccaneers, Saturday January 29th, 2:30pm, Hatrick Park
Buccaneers come into this weekend’s tie with a single win in their last five games, as they face an Old Boys team who are winless in six games, their last win coming at the start of November.
Rainey were heavily beaten 38-14 by Queens University last weekend, they were heavily beaten by their Ulster counterparts, but managed to get on the board managing two converted tries.
Buccs left it late to comeback in a 20-20 draw with Barnhall last weekend, they trailed 13-10 at the break but a try and a late penalty, saw them share the points in a fantastic performance in Maynooth.
UL Bohemian V Queens University, Saturday January 29th, 2:30pm, Annacotty
Eight place UL will be up against it as they welcome the league leaders to Shannonside, the visitors have lost just once this year and will be looking to keep their recent record in tact.
Bohemian were outclassed 42-17 by Ballymena last weekend, they managed to land a penalty in the opening half and trailing 42-3 toward the end of the second half, they crossed for two late converted tries.
Queens have been the dominant force in the division so far this season, commanding a ten point lead at the top, they have also topped the scoring charts, and last weekend’s 38-14 win over Old Boys their ninth bonus point win this year.
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.