Enniscorthy will look to remain at the top of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C, Skerries will look to continue their challenge at the title as they sit just four points behind in second spot.
Bangor V Sundays Well, Saturday January 22nd, 2:30pm, Upritchard Park
Bangor suffered a hiccup last weekend as they are now ten points behind second place, the Well however picked up their first win of the season last weekend, but remain bottom of the table.
The Ulstermen left it late in a comeback against Skerries but failed to take the victory in the end, they went down 14-13 a late try could have won them the game but the conversion went wide of the mark. Both teams had a late penalty but again Bangor missed the opportunity.
Well edged a tight contest against Bruff 20-13 last weekend, the teams were deadlocked 10-10 at the interval, before an exchange of penalties kept the game tied, but at the end they managed to get a decisive try.
Bruff V Enniscorthy, Saturday January 22nd, 2:30pm, Kilballyowen Park
Enniscorthy will look to remain in top spot, as they travel to Limerick to face Bruff this weekend. Scorty continued their winning ways last weekend while Bruff suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Sundays Well.
Enniscorthy pushed their lead out to four points, after they picked up another bonus point win coming out 27-11 over Clonmel, in similar fashion to their fixture in December they never looked like slipping up.
Bruff suffered a late defeat in a Munster derby against Sundays Well, Andrew O’Byrne crossed to give them a 7-5 lead. Paul Collins put more room between the sides as he landed a penalty to make it 10-5. They were level at the break before Collins kicked them ahead after the restart, but a late try had them on the back.
City of Derry V Skerries, Saturday January 22nd, 2:30pm, Judges Road
Skerries will look to go back to top spot in the table, a narrow win last weekend keeps them in the running as they are four points behind Scorty. Derry meanwhile sit eight in the table, another defeat last weekend keeping them near the foot of the division.
The Ulstermen suffered a 24-8 defeat at the hands of fellow northerners Omagh Academicals last weekend. Derry were outclassed for large parts of the game, and after failing to concede a point in the game in December, they failed to make headway in this contest.
Skerries got revenge after Bangor ended the impressive eight game winning streak when they met on the 11th of December, the narrowest of margins giving them a 14-13 win. A late try caused some tension as the conversion missed the mark, but they held on to continue their title challenge.
Clonmel V Tullamore, Saturday January 22nd, 2:30pm, Ardgaoithe
Tullamore will aim to take third place in the league this weekend, as they meet a Clonmel team who are yet to win a game this season. They will have a tough take on their hands hosting a strong Tullamore side.
Clonmel were swept aside by Enniscorthy 27-11 last weekend, the Tipperary club remained competitive but for large points they struggled and Scorty showed why they are championship contenders.
Tullamore held onto their fourth spot in the table, after an 18-10 win over Midleton, they took an early 13-0 lead, before Midleton responded with a try and a penalty to bring it back to 13-10 at the half time interval. The Offaly club battled hard in the second half, they added a penalty and a try of their own in the half, to take home all four points.
Midleton V Omagh Academicals, Saturday January 22nd, 2:30pm, Towns Park
Midleton dropped down to sixth place after defeat last weekend, they welcome Omagh who take the spot ahead of them in the table, the Ulstermen taking a win into this weekends meeting, Midleton will took to get back to winning ways.
The Cork club went down 18-10 to Tullamore last weekend, they worked hard to bridge a gap coming from 13-0 down to level at 13-10 by half time. They struggled in the second half and fell flat to come back in the tie.
Omagh turned the tide on Derry, as they picked up all four points in a fantastic 24-8 home performance. Luke Hanson and Kyle Beattie crossed early for a 12-0 lead for Omagh, before Philly Ewing made it 17-0 for the Ulstermen. A late try giving them the bonus point.
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.