Enniscorthy will aim to have the title in their sights by the weekend’s end in the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C, they meet a tough Tullamore outfit, while Skerries will aim to remain in their slipstream as they welcome Clonmel to North County Dublin.
Just weeks remain in the division, with the teams at the bottom looking to make a statement this weekend.
Bangor V City of Derry, Saturday March 4th, 2:30pm, Upritchard Park
In an Ulster Derby Bangor will seek for all the points, as they look to claw back Skerries in second place, Derry meanwhile have a difficult task this weekend but a result could see them climb clear of the drop, something they managed the weekend prior.
Bangor picked up another bonus point, in an impressive 22-15 showing against fellow Ulster opposition Omagh. Bangor led early on and continued to lead until the final whistle, five points this weekend could see them draw level with Skerries on the same value, should they fail to get a result.
City of Derry overturned a 17-10 half-time deficit against Bruff, to keep alive their hopes of avoiding an end of season relegation play-off and the prospect of losing their senior status, substitutes CJ Cregan and Darragh Gill stole the show with two late tries, to bring a crucial bonus point victory that moved Derry up two spots to eighth in the table.
Bruff V Midleton, Saturday March 4th, 2:30pm, Kilballyowen Park
A mid-table Munster Derby on Shannonside this weekend could have implications for Bruff’s status in the division, they sit just four points off the bottom of the table, while Midelton looked to have claimed a spot in the top five.
Bruff thought they had a win against City of Derry last weekend, after they impressed in the opening half but failed to show their grit falling to a 31-24 defeat, a tough result for them and one to build on.
Midleton picked up a comfortable 14-0 win over Clonmel last weekend, the visitors not getting on the scoreboard in a game that saw all scores coming in the opening half, the hosts took the lead after 16 minutes, the first of three penalties finding their target, the latter making it a 9-0 game before the half-hour mark, they added a try before the break crossing in the corner to seal a great display in the half.
Enniscorthy V Tullamore, Saturday March 4th, 2:30pm, Alcast Park
Another tough test for Enniscorthy and their title challenge this weekend, facing a Tullamore side that would like to finish in the top three by season’s end, they have won four of their last five league encounters.
In a massive contest at the top of the table last weekend, it was the league leaders who came out on top, managing a 12 point win over Skerries, they dominated from the off and accumulated a 20-5 lead midway through the second half, before adding another converted try minutes later.
Tullamore ended the impressive last two weekends of The Well, picking up a 15 point margin in the end as they looked in control for the majority of the contest, victory kept them in fourth position in the table, they sit four behind Bangor in the table, the win a boost in confidence for this weekends tie.
Skerries V Clonmel, Saturday March 4th, 2:30pm, Holmpatrick
The Seasiders will look for all five points this weekend, as they look to remain in the title race, standing in their way is a struggling Clonmel who dropped further down the table last weekend, they are in a dogfight to stay up.
Skerries suffered a 27-15 defeat to Enniscorthy last weekend, they were well beaten in the end, unable to put a foot in the game as Scorty looked one step ahead of them at all times, they managed to add two late unconverted tries as consolation, a win this weekend keeps in the picture.
Clonmel failed to register a score against Midleton last weekend, a tough order against a team like Skerries for them this weekend, they struggled in their strategy last weekend, and it will be hard not to look past it this weekend either.
Sundays Well V Omagh Academicals , Saturday March 4th, 2:30pm, Musgrave Park
Well are back at the bottom of the table after a tough result last weekend, while their opponents look to be safe in sixth, a win for Well would be crucial if they aim to be a 2C team next year.
After a great showing against Scorty and Skerries, they failed to replicate the result against Tullamore, they struggled to come into the contest and looked unable to find the magic that looked to have changed their fortunes in recent weeks.
Omagh drove late on to take something from their meeting with Bangor last weekend, but again fell short of the mark going down by seven points, they were 15 points behind before they replied with a penalty and unconverted try to leave seven between them, a gap they failed to work on.
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.