Ulster Bank League: Divison 2A Previews
Dublin University have claimed the league title and with the one of the two promotion spots but with two games left the race for second is still wide open. Two Friday Night Lights clashes in Dublin could go some way towards deciding it.
Old Wesley (10th) V Greystones (7th), Donnybrook, Friday Night Lights, 19:30
Old Wesley’s win over DLSP last weekend put a dent in their promotion hopes while Greystones stayed in touch by beating Seapoint.
Donnybrook has attracted good crowds for previous Friday Night Lights clashes and this one should be no different.
The hosts can finish the season with a flourish while the visitors will want to keep the pressure on for that coveted second promotion spot.
Seapoint (5th) v Dublin University (1st), Kilbogget Park, Friday Night Lights, 19:30
Another derby game to whet the appetite on Friday night. Trinity are the Division 2A champions, sealed with an emphatic win over Clonakilty last weekend, but they stand in the way of an ambitious Seapoint.
The home side lost to Greystones last weekend and ceded ground to Malone, Corinthians and Queens but a win will take it to the wire as they face Malone in the final week.
The former junior club have had tremendous success with largely local talent in recent seasons so don’t bet against them just yet.
Terenure College (11th) v Instonians (15th), Lakelands
‘Nure are safe on 29 points but visitors Instonians are in a dogfight at the bottom of the table.
With two teams automatically relegated and a third facing a playoff they are sandwiched between Clonakilty and Thomond.
A must win for survival for the visitors as they face promotion chasing Corinthians in the final week. Will that be enough to give them an edge?
Bective Rangers (9th) v Clonakilty (16th), Donnybrook
Mathematically Bective still have an outside shot at promotion but it would need a remarkable run of results to happen.
Still they can finish the season strongly if they have the will to do it.
For Clonakilty the writing appears to be on the wall, albeit they could still overhaul Thomond and Inst if they managed two bonus point wins in the their final two games.
City of Derry (6th) v Malone (2nd), Judge’s Road
It has been a remarkable few seasons for City of Derry, relegation, winning the All-Ireland Junior Cup, promotion and now they have a shot at Division 1B.
The only problem is they are hosting the club in pole position on Saturday afternoon – Malone.
Between them these two sides have notched up nine try bonuses. Three points separate them and they both face fellow promotion chasers in the final round of games also.
A cracker? We think so!
Corinthians (4th) v Thomond (14th), Corinthian Park
Corinthians are probably best placed in the promotion hunt to capitalise on any slip ups. In theory they have an easier run in than say Malone or Queen’s.
In reality they face two teams in the relegation zone in their final two games – starting with Thomond on Saturday – and that can mean trouble.
A lot at stake therefore in Galway on Saturday afternoon with promotion and relegation on the line. Who will have the will to win?
Midleton (13th) v Queen’s (3rd), Towns Park
Midleton have struggled this season and they are not out of the woods yet. The team third from bottom faces a playoff against a team from Division 2B. Midleton are only five points ahead of Thomond.
Their visitors come chasing promotion and with four try bonuses to date and with wins over Thomond and DLSP they are in form.
An away win and some sweaty palms for the home team in the final week in April!
Old Crescent (12th) v DLSP (8th), Rosbrien
The Limerick side are safe from the drop zone so they can relax in their final two games but their visitors still have ambitions.
Salmo’s run of form pre Christmas saw them leading the way but their confidence seems to be shot in recent weeks. They haven’t won since Malone in late January.
An away win is the more likely but will be too little too late for them?