In the final game week of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C, it is all about the relegation battle between City of Derry and Sundays Well, with two points separating the teams between safety and the relegation playoffs.
Bruff V Bangor, Saturday 9th April, 2:30pm, Kilballyowen Park
Bangor could finish the season in second place with a win this weekend, they are just three behind Skerries in the table, and face against Bruff who will look to end the season on a high.
Bruff picked up a huge victory to remain in the division last weekend, as they crossed late to take home all the points in a 42-37 win over Skerries.
Bangor reduced the gap to Skerries to just three points, with a comprehensive bonus point performance last weekend over Clonmel, a big points haul in the 26-8 win a boost for this weekend.
City of Derry V Tullamore, Saturday 9th April, 2:30pm, Judge’s Road
It’s do or die for City of Derry this weekend, as they need a victory to keep them in the division, provided Sundays Well cannot get points in their tie with Clonmel. Tullamore are already in the top four and a morale boost can go a long way before meeting Enniscorthy.
Derry left it too late against Scorty last weekend, they had a late conversion to tie the game but it narrowly went wide, as they suffered a 19-17 defeat which now sets up this meeting as season defining.
Tullamore secured the final spot in the top four, a narrow 22-20 win over Omagh seeing them guaranteed the Semi Final appearance, they worked hard but were tested throughout the tie, and will be a tough opponent for Derry this weekend.
Clonmel V Sundays Well, Saturday 9th April, 2:30pm, Ardgaoithe
Clonmel are already in the relegation playoffs but could be joined by Sundays Well, if they manage to claim victory at home this weekend. City of Derry could also be their opponents but a win this weekend would only be a consolation for them.
Clonmel struggled against Bangor last weekend, for large parts of the game they were second best and could not get into the tie, they had made it 12-8 at half time, but failed to show form in the second half.
The Well can survive automatically should the other result work in their favour, a huge 27-15 win over Midleton last weekend saw them up to eight two points ahead of the drop zone, if they can put in another big performance it can guarantee their safety.
Midleton V Enniscorthy, Saturday 9th April, 2:30pm, Towns Park
Enniscorthy will look to end the season having lost just twice, should they get a victory over fifth placed Midleton this weekend, the visitors also want a strong showing to remain fifth.
The Cork outfit fell to their local rivals Sundays Well last weekend, they had showed their ability but the odds were up against their opponents and they failed in the end to pick up the points.
Scorty survived the late scare by City of Derry last weekend, to claim a two point win in what was a great showing by the visitors, but the league leaders showed their ability to grind out the contest.
Omagh Academicals V Skerries, Saturday 9th April, 2:30pm, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
Skerries will aim to finish the season in second spot, should they claim a win over a game Omagh outfit. They are safe even if both sides below them get points this weekend.
Having led the opening half 13-9 Omagh looked strong in their tie with Tullamore, but failed to continue that form into the second half, they were disappointed but they will remain in the Division next year.
Skerries were second best over Bruff last weekend, a fantastic contest for the neutrals in the high scoring encounter, they can have a huge morale boost with a win this weekend before they head for the Semi Finals next time out.
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.