A mammoth round 13 of fixtures in 1B, with the top four tussling it out in respective games, the chasing pack all have a claim to finish inside the top four this weekend, 1B being incredibly competitive this year. 

St Mary’s produced a stunning comeback win as a sensational Conor Dean Drop Goal saw them overcome Old Belvedere, in the other top four contest Garryowen triumphed over Blackrock. The promotion race is heating up as the gap from fourth to seventh is just a single point.

1B will be headlined by two massive top four clashes this weekend, leaders St Mary’s taking on Old Belvedere, while Blackrock College host Garryowen. UCC and Old Wesley also has the recipe to be an incredible game near the foot of the standings. 

St Mary’s unbeaten run came to an end late on to Blackrock, Garryowen made up ground in the race for promotion with a stunning comeback win, with Highfield losing ground in the top four dropping to fifth.

With every passing week the promotion race in 1B looks even more intriguing, just nine points separates second to eight, knock on effects can both aid and hinder teams this weekend, a standout tie from 1B will be the meeting of Blackrock and Mary’s in Stradbrook.

St Mary’s are 18 points clear in 1B after 10 rounds of action, Highfield moved up a place while Oliver Coffey inspired Blackrock to a late win keeping them in the top four. Old Wesley moved further away from the drop zone winning the D4 derby. 

As the second part of the season gets under starters orders this weekend, the race for promotion and to avoid relegation heats up, plenty of interesting clashes this weekend notably UCC and Garryowen who played out a cracking stalemate before the Christmas break.

St Mary’s have a 13 point lead at the summit going into Christmas, elsewhere Highfield moved back to fourth spot, while Garryowen and UCC could not be separated in Dooradoyle. Buccaneers picked up an important win on the road at the weekend.

The final round of action in 1B is expected to be another competitive weekend of action as the battle rages on for fourth spot in the table, Buccaneers and Queens look to pull off results to strengthen their hopes of safety going into the new year.

St Mary’s College remain the pace setters in 1B, Belvedere take up second place, while Naas make ground to jump to fourth. Garryowen secured a big result elsewhere to sit within touching distance of fourth spot.