All-Ireland League: Division 3 Previews
Two Ulster clubs – Instonians and City of Derry – are out in front at the top of the table but Seapoint and Sunday’s Well are poised to take advantage of any slip-ups this weekend in Division 3 of the All-Ireland League
ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE: DIVISION 3: Saturday, November 13
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
Wanderers (9th) V Banbridge (8th), Merrion Road, 1:00 pm
An early kick off to allow supporters to make the short trip to Aviva Stadium for Ireland V Samoa afterwards.
A mid table clash sees Wanderers who lost last time out to Highfield host a Banbridge side who had a good win over Suttonians the same weekend.
Bann have managed a try bonus and a losing bonus to leave them two points ahead of Wanderers in the table and could be a good bet to add four points to that tally this weekend.
Ards (14th) V Navan (12th), Hamilton Park
Ards are a game behind as their match with Nenagh Ormond was postponed in the last round.
They have lost three out of three but managed a losing bonus point against Naas and Highfield before Instonians came calling back in October.
Navan were solid last season after promotion but have yet to kick on from there. They have only won one game so far. They could well struggle to get points on the board against Ards and home advantage might see the Ulster side through.
Instonians (1st) V Naas (6th), Shaw’s Bridge
Inst. sit at the top of the table with 4 out of 4. They have also notched up two try bonuses to date.
Naas will make the trip to Shaw’s Bridge with keen anticipation. They racked up a big win against Inst. last season and they have been motoring along nicely this season with 3 wins out of 4.
These clubs know each other well and there should be a lively atmosphere on and off the pitch for this game. Form says the home side but only just!
Nenagh Ormond (11th) V Seapoint (3rd), New Ormond Park
Three games down for Nenagh Ormond and it is a case of one of each. One win, one draw and one loss – a bit of a mixed bag for them and difficult to judge their form.
Seapoint, by contrast, are off to a flyer in their first season of AIL. Three wins out of four and two try bonuses and a losing bonus.
They can harbour some ambitions to progress this season if they continue in this vein and this is one of those games that can help. The Tipp side won’t be a pushover but if Seapoint can get into the groove they could notch up another win.
Rainey OB (15th) V Greystones (5th), Hatrick Park
Rainey are struggling this season with only a losing bonus point against Naas in their favour.
This Saturday they host a Greystones side who have hit some form of late. The Co.Wicklow club brought City of Derry’s gallop to halt at the end of October with an impressive 23 – 18 win.
They will be without the services of Ireland Assistant Video Analyst Eoin Toolin this weekend but they should be good enough to notch up another win and keep the pressure on for a top 4 spot.
Sunday’s Well (4th) V City of Derry (2nd), Musgrave Park
This could well have been a top of the table clash except for the fact that Naas and Greystones tore up the scrip a few weeks back.
Nonetheless this is still 4th plays 2nd with plenty at stake. This could well be a really entertaining game as City of Derry secured a try bonus in each of their wins to date while the Well have secured one.
Both clubs will be going hammer and tongs to secure the points and while there is a big game in Aviva Stadium and another in Temple Hill across town this is one for the Cork fans to be ready for.
Suttonians (13th) V Highfield (7th), JJ McDowell Park
The Sutton club’s draw with Nenagh Ormond in October coupled with a try bonus and losing bonus are some comfort but not enough to make up for three losses to date.
Highfield enjoyed a big win over Wanderers recently and have notched up a solid 81 points in their games to date.
They should be able to hold off Suttonians on Saturday and add to their tally and stay in the hunt for a top four or five slot.
NUIM Barnhall (10th) V Connemara (16th), Parsonstown, Sunday 14th 2:30pm
A Sunday kick off for this game as NUIM Barnhall, steady on two wins and two losses, host a Connemara side who look like they will struggle for points this season.
No bonuses as yet for the Leixlip club and they did suffer a big loss to Seapoint last time out but they should be primed for this game.
Connemara have shipped a lot of points so far and it looks like being a long season for them. Sunday’s game is one they could target but the home side should be too strong.
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