Skerries remain the top side in the chase for the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League, leading two points ahead of second placed Bangor, as both teams are yet to suffer a defeat.
City Of Derry V Clonmel, Saturday November 20th, 2:30pm, Judge’s Road
The Ulstermen will play host to Clonmel, as both teams sit near the foot of the table, in eight and ninth place respectively. The visitors remain without a win this season, and will look to finally break their duck.
A difficult opening half performance saw Derry trail 21-10 to Bruff, in difficult conditions they notched a converted try and a penalty. The Shannonsiders laid their mark down on proceedings in the second half, as the Ulster outfit could only manage a late consolation try.
Clonmel suffered a 23-13 defeat to Midleton, in a Munster derby in their recent fixture. An early exchange of penalties was their only points of the half, as they trailed 13-6 at the break, they managed a late try, Ian Cunningham crossing with Dean Slattery adding the conversion.
Enniscorthy V Sundays Well, Saturday November 20th, 2:30pm, Alcast Park
Enniscorthy will be aiming to climb back up the table, they face bottom placed Sundays Well this weekend. The Wexford outfit are a point behind in third place and after slipping up recently, they will want to secure a win in a major one sided game on paper.
In a fantastic opening half of rugby, Scorty were defeated 20-14 at the hands of leaders Skerries. Both clubs exchanged tries with the visitors making it 14-10 midway through the opening half, before a late score made it 17-10. A second half penalty the only score in a very competitive game of rugby.
The Well could only manage six points from the boot of Fabian Loughrey, as they fell to a 13-6 defeat to Tullamore. They trailed 6-3 at the break but could not contain the Offaly club, as Loughrey added their second score with a late penalty.
Midleton V Skerries, Saturday November 20th, 2:30pm, Towns Park
Midleton are in great form of late climbing up the table, and they face a mountain sized task against league leaders Skerries. Both secured wins last time out as the Seasiders look to extend their winning run.
The Cork club were dominant from the off in their 23-13 win over Clonmel, they crossed for their opening try toward the end of the half, to make it 13-6 at the break, an early exchange of penalties the only other scores. After the restart Midleton remained on top, a quick three pointer extended their lead, before a second converted try made it 23-6.
The Goats handed Enniscorthy their first defeat of the season, in a 20-14 win at Holmpatrick, Roman Mulcahy crossed in the fifth minute to give Skerries a 5-0 lead, before the visitors replied to go ahead. Skerries crossed to take a 10-7 lead, before again falling behind. They added a third to make it 17-14 at half time, as Paul O’Loghlen slotted a late second half penalty to secure the points.
Omagh Academicals V Bruff, Saturday November 20th, 2:30pm, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
A mid table clash takes place in Tyrone this weekend, as the Limerick cluff travel up north in good spirits after their most recent victory. The hosts will however be looking to overcome their last result, defeat at the hands at Bangor sees them remain in seventh.
Omagh suffered a two point defeat to Bangor in an Ulster derby last time out, a low scoring opening half saw the score at 3-3 at the break, after the restart Scott Barr scored a beautiful chip and Chase effort, to make it 8-3 in favour of the Tyrone club, They fought hard and added another penalty, but a late try saw them suffer their fourth defeat of the season.
Bruff got their first win of the season, a 38-15 bonus point win over City of Derry. A dominant opening half performance saw them lead 21-10 at the interval, while after the restart Tom Quigley crossed to secure the bonus point, they added two more tries later in the half, the latter by Mark Fitzpatrick making it 38-10.
Tullamore V Bangor, Saturday November 20th, 2:30pm, Spollanstown
Bangor will aim to reach top spot by the end of the weekend, as they travel to take on Tullamore who currently sit fourth in the table. The Ulstermen will have tired bodies after a bruising encounter with Omagh a fortnight ago, while Tullamore had a low scoring encounter.
Tullamore hung on to fourth spot in the table, as they were victorious in a low scoring affair at Musgrave Park. Leading 6-3 at the break, they looked stronger, into the second half the Offaly outfit crossed for the game’s opening try, to make it 13-3, the game ending 13-6 after a late penalty saw the tie end in a low scoring affair.
Bangor kept their 100% win record alive, as they got the upper hand over Ulster rivals Bangor, in the provincial derby. Trailing for the majority of the second half, a late penalty try gave the Down outfit the four points. A game that would test any title hopefuls, the conversion late on helping to secure a scrappy win.
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.