Enniscorthy will aim to keep their place at the top of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C, when they meet third placed Bangor at home in a massive fixture this weekend.
On their heels will be Skerries who face off against a struggling Sundays Well.
City of Derry V Midleton, Saturday January 29th, 2:30pm, Judge’s Road
City of Derry will look to try and jump out of the bottom three places, as they welcome Midleton up north this weekend. The hosts have lost their last two games and will hope to not make it a third this weekend, as both will look to overcome losses last week.
Derry suffered a 23-14 defeat at home to Skerries last weekend, they started well getting a converted try to lead 7-0, but ended the half 16-7 behind, they remained on the back foot into the second half, but crossed for their second try as a consolation effort.
Midleton fell to their sixth defeat of the season as they went down 21-14 to Omagh Academicals. The Cork club trailed 7-6 at half time after managing two penalties, in the second half they could only manage a penalty and unconverted try, as they failed to contain their opponents.
Enniscorthy V Bangor, Saturday January 29th, 2:30pm, Alcast Park
Enniscorthy will look to keep their status as league leaders alive, they face a tough challenge with the visit of third placed Bangor. Both teams picked up wins last weekend, as we get into the business end of the season Bangor will look for a big scalp.
Enniscorthy continued their winning streak as they overcame Bruff 38-27 last weekend, Ivan Jacob had a fantastic afternoon getting four tries in the bonus point win.
Bangor dispatched Sundays Well 24-10, earning a bonus point win in the end, as they dominated the contest, they started on the strong foot and never took it off the gas, the win keeping their title hopes alive.
Omagh Academicals V Clonmel, Saturday January 29th, 2:30pm, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
Omagh have the opportunity to climb to fourth in the table, as they host a struggling Clonmel this weekend. Winless so far this year the Tipperary club are struggling to find their feet, and a trip up north to face Omagh is a tall order this weekend.
Omagh secured back to back wins in the division last weekend, with a seven point margin (21-14) over Midleton. They led early with an unconverted try to make it 7-0 but had the lead down to a point by the half time break. Further tries cake in the second half, as they looked stronger to shut out Midleton late on.
Clonmel suffered a 15-6 defeat at home to Tullamore last weekend, they trailed 10-3 at half time as they struggled to keep out the Offaly clubs backline.
Clonmel also had 14 men on the field for the end of the opening half and the beginning of the second, but kicked a close-range penalty to reduce the gap to six points, but Tullamore again crossed for another well taken try.
Sundays Well V Skerries, Saturday January 29th, 2:30pm, Musgrave Park
Bottom placed Sundays Well will have a tough battle on their hands, they host second placed Skerries on Leeside this weekend. The Dublin club are trying to keep tabs on their Wexford neighbours who sit on top spot.
Well slipped up to a 24-10 defeat to Bangor last weekend, they managed a converted try and penalty early but failed to contain the Ulster side’s attacking threat. They sit bottom due to the score difference as they have conceded the second most points in the division.
Skerries remained in second place in the table after a 23-14 win over City of Derry last weekend, victory keeping them on track but they now stil five points behind Enniscorthy. A massive blow to their title chances, as they now fall another point behind the Wexford club.
Tullamore V Bruff, Saturday January 29th, 2:30pm, Spollanstown
Tullamore have the opportunity to jump into fourth spot in the table this weekend, as they face Limerick club Bruff at Spollanstown this weekend. Bruff sit in seventh spot and are looking for a third win this season.
The hosts overcame Clonmel 15-6 last weekend, ill-discipline cost them early trailing 3-0 but they reacted quick with two unconverted tries before the half time break to lead 10-3. They added a third try minutes into the second half after another Clonmel penalty, the final score of the game.
Bruff suffered their eight defeat last weekend, going down 27-38 to leaders Enniscorthy. They trailed 19-13 at half time, a great opening half performance by the hosts, they kept in touch trailing by 26-20 shortly after the restart, they failed to handle Scorty later in the half but added a late consolation 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.