Match Preview

AIL Preview: Division 2C Round 2

Having set the ground running last weekend, Round 2 will bring plenty more action and excitement with Clogher Valley set for their first home tie in the AIL.

Bruff v Enniscorthy, Saturday 14th October, Kilballyowen Park, 1:30pm

Following both sides talking bonus point wins in the opening round of fixtures, the chance to continue that will be on the minds of both squads ahead of the early kick off in 2C.

Bruff had a tough opening round encounter against Clonmel and against another side who will be fighting for promotion if not silverware, you would expect another dogfight. With a young hungry squad they are hoping to go the extra mile this season.

Scorthy began life back in 2C exactly where they left off two years previous, it was a game they controlled despite coughing up two late tries. Brett Igoe’s charges were strong in the opener and their experienced charges will make this a tough contest to call.

Bangor v Clonmel, Saturday 14th October, Upritchard Park, 2:30pm

With Bangor suffering a late one point loss to Midleton last weekend, ending their unbeaten streak on the opening, a return to home soil will prove fruitful, they will hope.

A game Bangor had by the scruff of the neck until Midleton pounced for three unanswered tries. Following that defeat Dave Irwin’s side must dust themselves off and get points on the board to avoid another mid table finish.

Beaten 32-26 in their meeting a week prior with Bruff, Clonmel will hope to bounce back and pick up a positive result this weekend. Narrowly missing out of the play-offs last term, they cannot afford to let slip two early games to start this new campaign off.

Clogher Valley v Tullamore, Saturday 14th October, The Cran (Fivemiletown), 2:30pm

It will be an historic occasion at the home of Clogher Valley on Saturday as the hosts play their first ever AIL meeting at home. Tullamore will hope to spoil the party.

Clogher the debutants last weekend did now show any nerves when they ran out 34-7 winners over Ballina in their opening contest. With that the Ulster side topped the standings and could very well claim a few scalps this season.

Tullamore will hope however not to be one of those teams to suffer defeat, especially having lost to Galwegians last Friday night. Darin Claasen’s squad is young but backs serious experience and with that in mind they will be confident of defeating the newcomers.

Galwegians v Midleton, Saturday 14th October, Crowley Park, 2:30pm

Contrasting seasons last season, very similar starts this season is the case for Galwegians and Midleton, bonus point winners in their opening encounters ahead of a showdown out west.

Wegians following their relegation look strong, with Connacht Academy pair Shane Mallon and Finn Treacy in their back-line, they have the quality in their ranks to be a real contender. Having to battle right to the death with Tullamore showed the bottle this side possesses.

The Cork side needed a late try to defeat Bangor in their opening encounter since surviving relegation last season. Experienced campaigners such as Liam O’Connor, Dan Walsh and Fionn McGibney, have all joined this year and with a host of familiar faces from last year, the side hopes to remain Senior for another year.

Omagh Academicals v Ballina, Saturday 14th October, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields, 2:30pm

Having narrowly avoided the drop last year, Omagh will look to avoid back to back defeats to open this year’s campaign as they host Ballina, two sides who were in that scrap to stay up last term.

Omagh came good late on against Scorthy last weekend but still were 12 points in deficit come the final whistle. The Ulster side will need to be on it from the word go and with home advantage they will be favoured to take an opening win.

Ballina too suffered a defeat on opening day, it could be back to back defeats to the Ulster side unless Brian McClearn’s changes can get the winning combinations together. A second half washout saw the Mayo side defeated on the opening day, they will have learned from that defeat when they take to the field this weekend.

Information on Division 2C can be found here.

DIARMUID KEARNEY
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.