Skerries remain the pace setters as we go into round nine, of the Energia All-Ireland League, Men’s Division 2C, the biggest tie of the weekend being the meeting of Skerries and third placed Bangor.
Bangor v Skerries, Upritchard Park, Saturday December 11th, 2:30pm
A big clash at the summit of 2C, as the unbeaten Skerries make the trip to third placed Bangor, the Ulstermen looking to end their streak. Bangor sit 12 behind in the table, they aim to bridge a gap while the seasiders look to keep Enniscorthy at bay.
A late Gareth Millar penalty gave Bangor their sixth win of the season last time out, remaining in third spot by a narrow one point margain. Defeating Sundays Well 16-14, they led 13-6 at the break managing just one score in the second half.
Skerries are one of three clubs who remain unbeaten in the AIL, an impressive 41-0 whitewash of Derry last weekend, giving them a two point advantage at the foot of the table, running in seven tries, the North Dublin club look to keep their record intact.
Bruff v Sundays Well, Kilballyowen Park, Saturday December 11th, 2:30pm
Bottom of the table Sundays Well make the trip to Bruff this weekend, the Limerick club sitting in seventh with just a single win, both teams were beaten last weekend and will look to gain points this weekend.
Bruff were beaten 35-22 by Enniscorthy last weekend, they held their own trailing at the break, but failed to turn the game on its head in the second half. A win this weekend would be only their second of the year, and would keep them in 7th should Derry not get a victory ahead of them.
The Well were in hard luck last weekend, a late penalty saw them go down 16-14 to Bangor, trailing 13-6 at half time they worked hard to come back, making it 14-13 thanks to another penalty followed by an unconverted try. The late drama would cost them a first win of the season.
City Of Derry v Omagh Academicals, Judges Road, Saturday December 11th, 2:30pm
An Ulster derby takes place at Judges Road, as Onagh travel to neighbours City of Derry, Omagh sit two places ahead in sixth place, a win would take them up to fifth should Midleton fail to record a win. Derry will aim to put space between them and the bottom of the table.
Derry were heavily beaten 41-0 last weekend, the Ulstermen failing to put a foot in the game as the unbeaten league leaders ran in seven tries in the end. A disappointing result in the end for them as they hope for a better result this weekend.
Omagh meanwhile added their third win of the season last weekend, having to come from behind to claim victory over Middleton 18-8, a late penalty and unconverted try helping them to an eight point advantage.
Clonmel v Enniscorthy, Ardgaoithe, Saturday December 11th, 2:30pm
Second places Enniscorthy might have to wait until after the Christmas break to play again, as they travel to a Covid hit Clonmel. The club has had the last two games cancelled due to Covid, and huge doubts are in place ahead of the game.
Last weekend Clonmel were down to play against Tullamore but that game was ruled a 0-0 result, getting two points as the game went down to a draw. Four draws so far this season has them four points of bottom spot.
Scorty continued their push toward the division title last weekend, a bonus point 35-22 win over Bruff, running over five tries in the end in a fruitful afternoon of rugby, the result keeps them two points adrift of the top, they will aim for seventh bonus point this weekend.
Midleton v Tullamore, Towns Park, Saturday December 11th, 2:30pm
Two sides slowly climbing up the table meet at Towns Park, as fifth placed Midleton entertain Tullamore, six points separates the clubs, with Tullamore fresher after not playing last weekend due to a Covid cancellation.
Midleton went down 18-8 to Omagh last weekend, they had a 8-3 advantage at half time, but struggled to contend with the Ulster club in the second half, conceding two tries and a penalty in a tough performance.
Tullamore will have plenty of rest going into this weekend’s meeting, sitting just a point off third spot, the draw last weekend doing them little favours in climbing the table, keeping them just behind by a minimum, they have been in good form recently and won’t let last weekend cause a lapse in concentration.
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.