Ulster Bank League: Relegation/Promotion Play-Off Previews
Previews of the first round of play-offs between the Division 1B and 2A clubs where the big question this weekend is ‘Rock or Cashel? Meanwhile in 2B and 2C, Sunday’s Well, Greystones, Tullamore and Wanderers are all chasing promotion in their play-off finals.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: RELEGATION/PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS: Saturday, April 23
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
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DIVISION 1B PLAY-OFFS:
Banbridge (2nd, Div 2A) v UCC (3rd, Div 2A), Rifle Park
Second against third in Division 2A face off at Rifle Park this weekend with the winners facing either Blackrock College or Cashel for a spot in Division 1B.
UCC won the first match between the two 27-26 at home in November, with Bann winning the return fixture, 16-3, in January. The clubs finished just three points apart in the table so expect it to be tight on Saturday.
Blackrock College (9th, Div 1B) v Cashel (4th, Div 2A), Stradbrook
‘Rock or Cashel. ‘Rock finished ninth in Division 1B with six wins and 12 losses, while Cashel claimed fourth spot in 2B with the exact opposite.
So far in the other divisions, the team potentially dropping down has not fared well and the Co. Tipperary club will be aiming for more of the same on Saturday in Stradbrook.
DIVISION 2A PLAY-OFF FINAL:
Sunday’s Well (3rd, Div 2B) v Greystones (4th, Div 2B), Irish Independent Park
Sunday’s Well put paid to City of Derry last week, while Greystones signed the relegation papers for Skerries. Now it comes down to this final game to decide who will join Highfield in Division 2A next season.
The two teams first met on the opening day of the league and the last day of the regular season, so it is fitting that they close out the campaign against each other.
Greystones won both those matches, 20-15 away from home and 24-21 at their Dr. Hickey Park base. Can they make it a hat-trick this weekend or will the ‘Well ascend the heights?
DIVISION 2B PLAY-OFF FINAL:
Tullamore (2nd, Div 2C) v Wanderers (4th, Div 2C), Spollanstown
Last week saw Wanderers end Rainey Old Boys’ hopes of surviving in Division 2B, while Tullamore edged past Bruff to make this final game an all-Division 2C affair.
Tullamore are at home by dint of finishing higher in the league and they will be hoping for a repeat of their November result at Spollanstown when they won 19-15.
Wanderers edged the return clash 6-5 in early January and while Tullamore finished six points ahead in the table, there is really nothing to choose between them. Expect a large home crowd and a cracking game.