Ulster Bank League: Division 2B Previews
Rainey remain unbeaten at the top of the division with NUIM Barnhall in hot pursuit. Match of the day billing goes to the Naas v Nenagh Ormond clash as 3rd hosts 4th.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2B: Saturday, March 2nd
– kick off 2.30pm unless stated
Boyne (6th) v Ards (15th), Shamrock Lodge
Boyne can still have promotion ambitions as the team finishing in 3rd will playoff against a Division 2A side. A Boyne win could capitalise on the result from Naas.
Ards win over Navan last weekend has given them a real lifeline as they are now level on points with Thomond.
Can the Ulster side cause another upset this weekend?
Connemara (16th) v Suttonians (13th), Monastery Field
Relegation beckons for Connemara and perhaps a chance to rebuild back in the qualifying league in Connacht.
The team in 15th plays off for Ulster Bank League survival and Suttonians are just a point ahead of Thomond and Ards in the race to avoid that fate.
Suttonians will be hoping to add to the Westerners woes by picking up a win on the road but should look to Connemara’s win over Thomond as a warning.
Instonians (9th) v Sunday’s Well (11th), Shaws Bridge
Few sides in the bottom half of the table can afford to be complacent and that certainly applies to this fixture.
Should Ards, Thomond and Suttonians all pick up a win this weekend then both of these sides could be facing an anxious few weeks if they lose.
Home advantage and league form favours Inst. but the Well wil lbe aware of the possible dangers that lie in store.
Naas (3rd) v Nenagh Ormond (4th), Forenaughts
A second place finish and automatic promotion is not out of the question for eithe of these sides but they need to keep the pressure on NUIM Barnhall.
Naas’s loss to Armagh dented their hopes so Saturday is a chance to get back to winning ways.
Nenagh Ormond had a tight win over Boyne to maintain their 4th place and this game represents a chance to kick on.
Skerries (8th) v Clonakilty (12th), Holmpatrick
Like Sunday’s Well and Suttonians, Clonakilty cannot afford to lose too many games or they could find themselves in a tight spot.
A trip to Holpmatrick is not the ideal game then when you need a result. Skerries have had a reasonable first season back in the league and won’t give up a result easily.
A home win on the cards and anxious times for Clon.
Sligo (10th) v NUIM Barnhall (2nd), Hamilton Park
Sligo drew with Sunday’s Well last time out and ran Naas close recently. They won’t be a pushover in Hamilton Park this weekend.
NUIM Barnhall lost to Skerries in January but are back to winning ways with results over Armagh and Connemara.
The visitors will want to keep the pressure on Rainey and keep ahead of the chasing pack and should take the points but it may not be easy.
Thomond (14th) v Armagh (5th), Liam Fitzgerald Park
Relegation threatens Thomond while Armagh can still claim a shot at promotion. A classic tie as we near the business end of the season.
A win for Thomond would be a double bonus should Ards lose at Boyne while Armagh’s two wins from the last three games sees them pushing hard for 3rd.
That old cliche of ‘who wants it more’ may apply.