AIB League: Division 3 Mid Season Update
The AIB League kicks back into action this weekend at clubs all over Ireland. All this week we have been profiling the divisions on a club by club basis. Today: Division 3.
League leaders Corinthians re-open their AIB League account this weekend with a trip to Midleton and it could prove to be a key game for both clubs.
Midleton, in third place, are only three points behind the Galway side and with only three points separating them from the next four teams every game will count in the race for promotion and a playoff spot.
CORINTHIANS – led the table after round three and round seven. They have won the most (6) games in AIBL – 3 including all four matches at home. Form wise they were in sixth position in the table at this stage last season. They have already played six clubs currently in the bottom half of the table which means a number of tough top table clashes lie ahead.
Queens – The Belfast students are the top Ulster club in the division at the moment. They were fourth in the table at this juncture last season. Queens have lost one more game than the other three clubs in the Top Four but they have scored the most (189) points and the most (23) tries since Oct. 4. They have also conceded the least (8) penalty goals since Oct. 4 and have won all three of their home fixtures. On the down side they have yet to face four clubs currently in the top half of the table.
MIDLETON – are the top Munster club in the division at the moment. They led the table for one week after round two and remain unbeaten after three matches on the road. They have yet to play five clubs presently in the top half of the table but have played three and won three against Ulster clubs since Oct. 4.
Co. CARLOW – The Carlow side were top of the table after round one this season and they are the top Leinster club in division 3 at the moment. They have conceded the least (51) points and the least (2) tries in all three divisions since Oct. 4. They were 13th in the table at this stage last season. Carlow have already played six clubs currently in the bottom half of the table.
PORTADOWN – led the table after rounds four, five and six this season and remain unbeaten in their four games at home since October 4. They have kicked the least (7) penalty goals since this season began and have yet to play four clubs currently in the top half of the table.
SUTTONIANS – The Dublin Club have won all three matches at home since October 4 and crucially have picked up a bonus point in both of their defeats. They have played five clubs currently in the bottom half of the table and have enjoyed 100% success against Munster clubs so far this season.
OLD WESLEY – The Donnybrook club have won all three home games since Oct. 4. They were 12th in the table at this stage last season.They have to date played just one club presently in the bottom half of the table and have lost their two games away in Ulster.
NAAS – They Kildare side were 11th in the table at this stage last season. They have played five clubs currently in the bottom half of the table and have won their three fixtures with Munster clubs. They will field at home to both Connacht clubs in the weeks to come.
ARDS – were eighth in the table at this time last season. They have already played five clubs in the top half of the table but were unable to pick up a bonus point in their three defeats since October 4. On the plus side they have won on four of their last five outings.
CONNEMARA – were 14th in the table at this stage in 2007/08. Ominously they have scored the least (3) tries in all three divisions. They have kicked the most (22) and conceded the least (8) penalty goals in division 3 since Oct. 4. They have yet to play four clubs currently in the top half of the table.
BANBRIDGE– have lost all three fixtures on the road since October 4. They have lost three of their last four games. They were riding high in third place in the table at this stage last season. Fixture wise they have yet to play five clubs currently in the top half of the table.
RAINEY OB – have yet to record a victory in three games at home since October 4. They were seventh in the table at this stage last season. Rainey have yet to play five clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. Their form has fluctuated as they conceded 57 points at home to Midleton and ran in 50 points away to Waterpark in the past few months.
NENAGH – The Tipp. side were tenth in the table at this juncture last season. They have yet to play five clubs currently in the bottom half of the table though they look to be well clear of the relegation zone. They have lost all three matches against Leinster clubs since Oct. 4. Jeff Hitchmough has averaged eleven points a game over the first seven rounds.
BARNHALL– Moggy’s Men have lost all three fixtures on the road since Oct. 4. They have conceded the most (16) penalty goals in division 3so far this season. They have played only two games against clubs presently in the bottom half of the table and have lost to both Connacht clubs in the early rounds this season.
SUNDAYS WELL– The Well were a lofty fifth in the table at this point in time last season but have lost all three home fixtures since October 4. Like Barnhall they have collected four bonus points in their six defeats but have lost their last six games. They have yet to play five clubs presently in the bottom half of the table.
WATERPARK – are the only club in all three divisions without a League point to their name since October 4; They have conceded the most (282) points and the most tries (39) in all three divisions so far this season and have yet to play four clubs that feature in the top half of the table at the moment.
AIB League Division 3 Fixtures
Stats for AIB League Mid Season updates supplied by Des Daly.