The AIL returns after the Christmas hiatus, as Enniscorthy are the new league leaders, having a three point lead at the summit of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C.
Skerries had their unbeaten run ended by Bangor on the last weekend’s action in December, as the fixtures are mirrored to the previous weekends action
Enniscorthy v Clonmel, Saturday January 15th, 2:30pm, Alcast Park
Enniscorthy will look to continue their run as leaders of Division 2C, as they welcome a winless Clonmel to Alcast Park this weekend.
The Wexford men were 31-15 winners when they met in December, the victory helping them leapfrog Skerries into top spot.
They looked in control from the first whistle in the previous encounter, leading 19-3 at the break, they commanded the second half also but did cough up easy scores in the process.
Omagh Academicals v City of Derry, Saturday January 15th, 2:30pm, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
Ulster Rivals Omagh and Derry, will face off just weeks after Derry picked up a 20-0 win in the previous encounter. Those were much needed points for Derry, as it keeps them well clear of Clonmel and Sundays Well.
Omagh failed to register a score in the previous fixture on the road, and will look to turn the table this time around, as their opponents remain in eight spot, a healthy advantage from the bottom.
Maximum spots could see Derry overtake Omagh into sixth spot in the table, should Bruff also fail to register any points in their fixture. Derry have the leakiest defence in the division, and will aim for another victory on the trot.
Skerries v Bangor, Saturday January 15th, 2:30pm, Holmpatrick
Bangor ended the impressive eight game winning streak of Skerries, when they met on the 11th of December overcoming them 27-15, the result putting the Dublin outfit into second place in the table, as Bangor sit seven points behind in third.
The Seasiders will bid to return to top spot this weekend, should they get maximum points and hope for a favourable result elsewhere.
Mike Weir crossed early for the hosts, before Skerries added a penalty to reduce the gap, 5-3 in the early exchanges. Bangor crosses for two quick tries to make it 15-3, midway through the opening half, before Skerries crossed to make it 15-8.
The Dubliners levelled matters with another try in the second half, the game turned on its head and looked to be a close affair but Shay Storey crossed for his second of the afternoon, followed by a Mark Widdowson try to get the bonus point.
Sundays Well v Bruff, Saturday January 15th, 2:30pm, Musgrave Park
Cork side Sundays Well and Limerick outfit Bruff meet in an All Munster affair on Leeside this weekend, bottom placed Well will need a big result to push them over Clonmel in the table.
The Shannonsiders had a twenty point advantage to spare, when the teams met in December, just their second win of the season last time out,
Bruff ran in three quick tries, Mark Fitz, Kevin Tracey and Ross O’Brien all crossed to make it 17-0. Well responded with two quick tries to reduce the gap to three, as the Limerick club had a man in the sin bin.
Davy O’Grady added another try with the conversion making it 24-14, Paul Collins landed a late penalty, before Jack O’Grady crossed for the final try of the afternoon.
Tullamore v Midleton, Saturday January 15th, 2:30pm, Spollanstown
A battle for fourth place will take place at Spollanstown, as Tullamore host Midleton in the last game of the weekend’s action in Division 2C.
Midleton picked up their fifth win of the season, as they overcame Tullamore in December, 27-13. The Cork club looked strong from the off, and finished with a flurry to remain in fifth spot.
The Munster outfit led 10-3 at the break, a strong second half performance saw them break through and add to their scoring tally, as Tullamore only managed a try and a penalty in the second half.
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.