After a three week break, Enniscorthy will aim to keep their lead at the top of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C, intact as they travel to Cork to face bottom placed Sundays Well. Tullamore and Bangor looks to be the standout fixture of the weekend.
Bangor V Tullamore, Saturday 19th February, 2:30pm, Upritchard Park
Third placed Tullamore will aim to keep their position, as they travel to Ulster to take on Fourth placed Bangor this weekend. The clubs are separated by a margin of two points in score difference, both sitting on 37 points respectively.
Bangor fell short on the road last time out, suffering a 29-25 defeat to Enniscorthy. Bangor were 10-0 up but failed to capitalise on the advantage, they came back late on but failed to take home the points.
Tullamore managed a 28-7 bonus point win over Bruff last time out, they lead 8-0 at the break, but came out firing into the second half crossing for three tries, after getting another penalty to start off their scoring exploits.
Bruff V Omagh Academicals, Saturday 19th February, 2:30pm, Killballyowen Park
Both Bruff and Omagh will aim for a win this weekend, having suffered defeats in the last fixture weekend three weeks ago, both are currently sitting around the mid table spot with the hosts having just two wins this season.
Bruff were comprehensively beaten 28-7 by Tullamore last time out, they never looked like getting going in the tie, they got a late consolation try but struggled all afternoon.
Omagh ended up losing a low scoring contest with Clonmel 8-6 last time out, they managed to land a penalty before the break for their first score, Clonmel were down to 14 and after landing a quick penalty after the restart, they failed to push on.
Clonmel V City of Derry, Saturday 19th February, 2:30pm, Ardgaoithe
A bottom of the table meeting takes place in Tipperary this weekend, as ninth placed Clonmel face off against eight placed City of Derry.
Clonmel had to grind out an 8-6 tight low scoring contest with Omagh three weeks ago, their first win of the season. They lead 8-3 at half time and despite being down to 14 men early in the second half, they only managed to concede three points.
Derry were left heartbroken after suffering a late 20-19 defeat to Midleton last time out, they looked to have won it after being level 12-12 at half time, they got a converted try midway through the second half to cancel a Midleton effort, making it 19-17, but late drama saw Midleton claim a one point win.
Skerries V Midleton, Saturday 19th February, 2:30pm, Holmpatrick
Skerries were once league leaders, but within the last few weeks we have seen their title challenge take a massive hit, they welcome Midleton to the Dublin coastline, in a must-win tie for the hosts.
Skerries were left shocked after a 14-9 defeat to bottom placed Sundays Well three weeks ago, they looked comfortable in a 6-0 lead at half time, but Well hit back and despite another penalty, they failed to register another score.
Midleton narrowly came home with the points in a 20-19 win over Derry, a late three pointer managed to give them the win having conceded a converted try minutes after missing a conversion for their own effort in the second half.
Sundays Well V Enniscorthy, Saturday 19th February, 2:30pm, Musgrave Park
It will be a case of David V Goliath on leeside this weekend, as leaders Enniscorthy meet bottom placed Sundays Well.
Enniscorthy pushed out a nine point lead at the top of the table, after their tenth bonus point win of the season, overcoming Bangor 29-25 last time out, a performance worthy of a title as they held their nerve late on.
The Well shocked the Division with a 14-9 win over title chasing Skerries three weeks ago, trailing 6-0 at half time they managed three penalties and an unconverted try to give them the win in the end.
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.