The relegation battle heats up in the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C, as safety is not guaranteed just yet for the bottom six in the table, while this weekend will tell who makes the top four in the division.
Bangor V Clonmel, Saturday April 2nd, 2:30pm, Upritchard Park
Clonmel need a big win this weekend, in the hopes of remaining in the division for next year, they are sitting bottom of the table, five points behind eight. Bangor, meanwhile are in the top four, but will aim to chase Skerries in second.
Bangor fell to a 24-8 defeat to Midleton last weekend, they are sat in third but have Tullamore just six points behind while they are behind Skerries with the same amount. A difficult result for them will their discipline a factor.
Bruff inflicted further woe on Clonmels relegation fight last weekend, a 25-24 narrow one point defeat a crushing result for them, as they looked strong late in the second half but failed to take the points in the end.
Enniscorthy V City of Derry, Saturday April 2nd, 2:30pm, Alcast Park
Enniscorthy will aim to finish the season at the top of the table, as they host a Derry outfit who will want to remain outside the relegation playoff zone, they have a tough battle this weekend on the road.
Enniscorthy had to rely on a late penalty giving them a 17-14 win over Omagh Academicals last weekend, a result that sees them 12 clear at the top as they can enjoy the last two weekends, as they look set to top the division.
City of Derry put more space between them and the relegation zone, after an impressive display over fellow relegation threatened Sundays Well last weekend, the 23-19 scoreline giving them crucial points and motivation for this weekend.
Skerries V Bruff, Saturday April 2nd, 2:30pm, Holmpatrick
Bruff sit in seventh in the table but could face a nervy final two game weeks, if teams around them manage to get points and they suffer back to back defeats. Skerries will aim to remain in second for the top four seedlings.
Skerries fell to a tough defeat from fourth placed Tullamore last weekend, suffering a 23-17 defeat they trailed for the majority of the contest and were 20-3 down at the interval, but failed to finish strong in the second half.
Bruff had to come from 17-6 down at halftime to seal a narrow win over Clonmel, three quick fire tries saw them into a 25-17 lead after the restart, but they almost saw their lead slip toward the end, but managed to hold out for the four point haul.
Sundays Well V Midleton, Saturday April 2nd, 2:30pm, Musgrave Park
Sundays Well need a big victory this weekend if they are to avoid the relegation playoff, they are two points behind Derry in eight, knowing a win is vital to their season, while Midleton could make the top four with two bonus point wins, and hope Tullamore are defeated twice.
Wells defeat to relegation rivals Derry was a tough battle for them in the end, they had lead 16-7 after the restart but failed to defend the Derry onslaught as they fell short late on.
Tullamore V Omagh Academicals, Saturday April 2nd, 2:30pm, Spollanstown
Tullamore will aim to pull back Bangor in third place, if they can pick up a win over Omagh this weekend, while Omagh can not afford a points drop as they are eight points off the drop zone.
The Midlanders looked strong from the off in the contest, getting an early lead and never looking like slipping against the team sat in second, a big result to see them remain in the top four, but a nine point gap between them and fifth placed Midleton can be reduced.
Omagh were left heartbroken after the late defeat to Enniscorthy last weekend, they trailed 14-7 at the interval after reducing the deficit with a try, and shortly after the restart they drew level with another converted try, but the late penalty left them reeling in the end.
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.