Ulster Bank League: Division 2A Previews
Dublin University lead the way in Division 2A by six points, but they have to travel to third-placed Queen’s University this Saturday. Greystones and De La Salle Palmerston will hope to take advantage of the result either way.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A: Saturday, February 18
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
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Bective Rangers (6th) v Terenure College (10th), Donnybrook
Bective Rangers won the battle of Donnybrook two weeks ago and while they were the ‘away’ team that day they are at home at the same venue this weekend.
Terenure College put a dent in Greystones’ title chase last time out with an 8-6 win.
Form and home advantage favours Bective slightly, but both of these sides have lacked consistency this season and this could be a crucial result in terms of momentum for the end of the season.
Clonakilty (16th) v Old Crescent (12th), Shannonvale Cross
Clonakilty picked up their fourth losing bonus point of the campaign last weekend, leaving them four points adrift of Midleton at the foot of the table.
Old Crescent notched up a big victory over Instonians, meanwhile, handing the Belfast side a 35-0 beating.
Hosts Clon need a win if they are to catch Midleton and avoid relegation, but their Limerick visitors will probably prove too strong on Saturday afternoon.
De La Salle Palmerston (2nd) v Seapoint (5th), Kirwan Park
A local derby and a big game in this division to boot. De La Salle Palmerston are six points off the leaders so can ill-afford to fall behind if Dublin University win at Dub Lane.
Seapoint are back in fifth place but can still push hard for a top four finish or better if they put a good run together in the coming weeks.
Kirwan Park is likely to see a lively game and it will be interesting to see how the result goes. ‘Salmo are slight favourites, despite having lost last time out.
Greystones (4th) v Corinthians (9th), Dr. Hickey Park
Another big game in the title race. Greystones lost to Terenure College last time out, thereby losing ground on the pacesetting Trinity students.
Corinthians won at home to Clonakilty last time out, and certainly have the ability to pull off a big result on the road.
A win for the home side keeps them in the chasing pack and while Corinthians are out of the running, they will still provide game competition on Saturday.
Instonians (14th) v Midleton (15th), Shaw’s Bridge
Out of sorts Instonians shipped 35 points last time out to leave them just three points ahead of this weekend’s visitors Midleton.
The Cork side kept ahead of bottom-placed Clonakilty with a timely win over Thomond.
They need another if they are to stay ahead in the bid to avoid relegation. This is a tough match to call and is likely to go down to the wire with a kick deciding the final result.
Malone (7th) v Old Wesley (8th), Gibson Park
Malone lost to league leaders Trinity two weeks ago and also fell to DLSP the week before – they have had a tough schedule post-Christmas.
Old Wesley have also lost their first two league games of 2012, going down to both Queen’s University and Bective.
Both of these sides, therefore, are in need of a win which could give this game a bit of an edge.
Queen’s University (3rd) v Dublin University (1st), Dub Lane
An intervarsity derby with a lot at stake in terms of the league picture. If Trinity lose they still lead the table but possibly by a reduced margin. Win and they could extend their lead over the chasing pack.
Queen’s University will rue their one-point defeat to Seapoint last weekend and will look to the free-scoring performance against Old Wesley the week before for inspiration.
A crucial game then as this division hots up nicely. If you are in the area, make sure to head down to the Dub to catch two of the best student sides in Ireland.
Thomond (13th) v City of Derry (11th), Liam Fitzgerald Park
Thomond have really struggled to score points this season. With 99 in their favour they have scored less than the three clubs below them. Crucially though they have won three games and drawn one.
City of Derry have had the opposite problem – they can score (with 221 to their name), but they keep leaking them also. Five wins and five losses is their record to date.
Still, Derry come into this game on the back of a great win over DLSP last weekend and should be brimming with confidence for the trip south to Limerick.