This weekend will see the opening round of fixtures, of Division 2A of the Mens All-Ireland Rugby League, with five games down for decision, which all kick off at 2:30 on Saturday.
Buccaneers welcome Cashel RFC to Dubarry Park, as both sides will look to start the season off with a winning result.
Buccs have a new look squad for the season ahead, Kolo Kiripati’s initial reign as Head Coach came to a premature end due to Covid. The squad will have a youthful look to it, but they have great potential but lack experience
Cashel will provide formidable opposition. Players like Niall Fitzgerald, Richard Moran and Brendan Crosse are strong players on the Tipp side. Cashel have had some good results recently in the Munster League and Cup and will be a big opening challenge for the Buccs.
Nenagh welcome MU Barnhall to New Ormond Park, as the home side will look to avoid the foot of the table this season.
Nenagh were in all sorts of trouble before the postponement and were in a relegation battle at the bottom of the table. The side have had a rusty start during pre season, and had a much different season to their opponents.
Barnhall were the team to beat in 2019/20 season, they also have a number of youngsters pushing through, and are chomping at the big for a chance at a title they could have claimed that season.
The students of Queen’s University Belfast, will host fellow northerners Ballymena, on Saturday afternoon as both sides will look for an opening win.
Queen’s have had some runaway wins in the Ulster Rugby Premiership in recent weeks, with heavy wins coming, over both Banbridge and Rainey Old Boys, with Jamie McNeight and Jonny Hunter scoring hat-tricks.
Ballymena are no pushovers in this provincial derby, they come into this game,on the back of two victories, defeating Bangor 51-17 and Harlequins 25-13.
Derry side Rainey Old Boys play host to Old Crescent this weekend, as the sides look to get their season off to winning start.
Former Leinster and Italy out-half Ian McKinley begins his coaching career at Rainey Old Boys, while Matt Brown fresh from winning the Interpro title with the Munster Women’s team, he will aim to further success with the Shannonsiders.
The other student side in the group, UL Bohemian face off against Cork side Dolphin, in a provincial rivalry, with two former provincial teammates, Tommy O’Donnell and Brian Scott in opposite dugouts.
Dolphin are Cork Charity Shield champions, and they came close to UL, in the Munster Senior Cup recently, losing 24-21 away with Cameron O’Shaughnessy and Alex Denby both scoring.
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.