Omagh and Midleton were the main movers, in Energia Men’s All-Ireland League Division 2C last weekend, as Skerries and Enniscorthy can only be separated by score difference at the top, as they meet this weekend.
Bangor v Omagh Academicals, Upritchard Park, Saturday November 6th, 2:30pm
Omagh are up to sixth after picking up their first win last weekend, an emphatic 43-8 victory over Sundays Well, they face a tricky away visit to Bangor who sit third, and will aim to leapfrog the loser of the top of the table meeting between Skerries and Enniscorthy.
Omagh looked off the mark early in their previous fixture, knocking on from the kick-off as The Well went 3-0 ahead early. By the break they led 19-3, great efforts by Scott Barr, Taine Lagan and Stephen Maclaine had them on top. The Tyrone outfit finished well securing the bonus point, in a massive win for the side.
Bangor got the better of City of Derry, 23-16 in a physically tough Ulster derby at Judge’s Road. Turning over a seven point deficit to win the tie, with ten minutes remaining the Down outfit will aim for another provincial win this weekend, full-back Shay Storey ran in the decisive try.
Bruff v City Of Derry, Kilballyowen Park, Saturday November 6th, 2:30pm
It has not been the ideal start for Bruff this season, winless in their opening four games, they face a City of Derry side who will feel hard done by, after last weekend defeat, they sit two places above them in the table, with an opportunity to make ground.
Right winger Mark Fitzgerald was a key man for Bruff, during the opening half of last weekend’s 28-15 defeat at Midleton, crossing for two tries as they took a 12-9 lead into the break.
The Cork men were stronger from the restart, Bruff also lost captain Johnny Clery to the sin bin in the 55th minute. They failed to hold out in the end conceding two late tries in the process.
Derry were defeated 23-16 by Omagh last time out, it was a harsh result for Derry to take given they had the better of possession, created more chances and held a seven point lead with just 10 minutes remaining.
Driven on by captain Neil Burns, Derry foraged into a 13-6 lead early in the final quarter, breaking the try deadlock with a dynamic counter attack that began back in their own 22, they would lose a man to sin bin late on and from here collapsed instantly.
Clonmel v Midleton, Ardgaoithe, Saturday November 6th, 2:30pm
Another provincial pairing this weekend, sees Clonmel host Midleton in an all Munster affair, the Tipperary outfit looking to shake off their heavy defeat at the weekend, as they welcome Midleton side in good form ahead of this meeting.
Clonmel were defeated 24-0 by Skerries at the weekend, they were outclassed for the majority of the afternoon, failing to get any points on the board. Trailing 19-0 at half time, they failed to make headway and will need a bigger performance this weekend.
Midleton won their Munster derby clash with Bruff last weekend, with tries from Dave O’Sullivan and Shayne Anderson earning the Red Devils a 28-15 triumph. They face another challenge in the form of the Tipperary outfit, and will aim to make it back to back provincial victories.
Skerries v Enniscorthy, Holmpatrick, Saturday November 6th, 2:30pm
All eyes will be on the tie at Holmpatrick this weekend, as the two title contenders meet in a top of the table clash, only 22 points of score difference separates the teams, as Scorthy have the highest score haul in the division this year.
Skerries drove home to a 24-0 win over Clonmel in their recent fixture, Paul O’Loghlen’s cross-field kick played in Mark Oliver for a second-minute try, setting the tone for another strong performance from the visitors. They outclassed their opponents, and finished strong for the bonus point.
The Wexford men had their toughest test of the season to date, needing a late David O’Dwyer try, and an excellent conversion from out wide by out-half Ivan Poole, to edge out Tullamore 15-12 at Spollanstown. Enniscorthy’s indiscipline gave the Offaly outfit a 9-5 lead at half-time, the leaders had to dig deep for O’Dwyer to cross over late to secure the win, they face a tough challenge this weekend in their title rivals.
Sundays Well v Tullamore, Musgrave Park, Saturday November 6th, 2:30pm
Bottom of the table Sundays Well, are aiming to bounce back after their heavy 43-8 defeat at the weekend, they are winless so far and face a Tullamore side who tested the resolve of Enniscorthy.
The Well started strong getting a 3-0 early lead, but were brought back to reality with a 19-3 deficit at half time. Omagh had the better of them for the majority of the fixture, they further extended their lead, the Cork outfit responded with a Ryan Buckley try, making it 24-8, but they were heavily beaten in the end.
The minnows Tullamore had Scorty but the pin of their collar last weekend, four well-struck penalties from full-back Karl Dunne, gave them a seven point lead in the tie, but they eventually were caught late on to break their hearts for all the hard effort.
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.