Preview: AIL – Men’s Division 2A

After a three week break, the clubs in the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A, will be looking to put in a big performance as time is running out to finish the season on a high. The standout fixture of the weekend sees Ballymena meet Cashel, in a battle for second place.

Ballymena V Cashel, Saturday 19th February, 2:30pm, Eaton Park

A huge top of the table meeting at Eaton Park this weekend, third placed Ballymena hosting second place Cashel. The hosts having a massive slip up before the break, suffering defeat in the road.

Ballymena suffered a heavy 41-7 defeat in their last league meeting against Nenagh Ormond. They managed to cross for a try late into the second half, but failed to compete against a ferocious Nenagh attack.

Cashel made it eight games unbeaten, as they left it late to beat Old Crescent three weeks ago. The win saw them climb up to second spot in the table, a late converted try in injury time giving them all the points.

Buccaneers V Dolphin, Saturday 19th February, 2:30pm, Dubarry Park

Buccaneers will aim to continue their charge up the table, they host Dolphin this weekend as they aim to close the gap with Ballymena in third. For Dolphin they were beaten last time out and currently sit seventh in the table.

Buccs ran wild in their last league encounter against Rainey Old Boys winning 60-3, they managed to get nine tries in the end. A dominant display by the Athlone club, they have eyes on another victory this weekend.

Dolphin suffered a 50-24 to a struggling MU Barnhall three weeks ago, they managed to pick up a bonus point for their try-scoring but struggled in defence against a strong attacking effort.

Old Crescent V MU Barnhall, Saturday 19th February, 2:30pm, Takumi Park

A mid table clash takes place on Shannonside this weekend, as sixth placed Old Crescent meet fifth placed Barnhall. The hosts suffered a late defeat last time out while a struggling Barnhall have found form in recent fixtures.

Crescent put up a valiant fight in their last league meeting, conceding a late converted try to suffer a three point defeat. They had looked comfortable leading 16-8 going into the final twenty minutes, but have conceded two late converted tries, they came out on the losing side.

Barnhall claimed their first win since the start of December, three weeks ago with a 50-24 win over Dolphin, the bonus point helping to build confidence in the team. They trailed 17-10 at half time and managed a second half blitz to romp home.

Queens University V Nenagh Ormond, Saturday 19th February, 2:30pm, Dub Lane 

Leading by 13 points at the top of the table, it looks like it will take a miracle for Queens University not to claim the title this year. They host second from bottom Nenagh Ormond, who will be in form having won last time out.

The Ulster students ran in ten tries in another heavy bonus point win, defeating their Limerick counterparts UL Bohemian 58-5. Having led 22-0 at half time, they hit an extra gear in the second half cruising for a 53 point win.

Nenagh picked up an emphatic third win as they shocked title chasers Ballymena 41-7 three weeks ago, a huge scalp for the team sat near the bottom of the table, a tall order this weekend to overcome the league leaders.

Rainey Old Boys V UL Bohemian, Saturday 19th February, 2:30pm, Hatrick Park

Bottom of the table Rainey Old Boys, will be looking to try and get off the bottom of the table, as they welcome eight placed UL Bohemian up north.

Rainey suffered a heavy 60-3 defeat to Buccaneers in their last league fixture, the heavy defeat a hard one to take at home soil, a penalty their only score of the tie as they failed to test the Buccs forward line.

UL also suffered a heavy defeat last weekend, going down 58-5 to Queens, like Rainey they failed to test the forward line, despite crossing for a try of their own, they struggled against the league leaders.

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.

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