Match Preview
AIL Preview: Division 2C Round 6
Round six is upon up this weekend as teams bid to push on as we near the halfway point, Galwegians and Enniscorthy meet in a clash of the weekend, while a first Ulster derby of the year for both Clogher Valley and Bangor will be another showstopper.
Ballina v Clonmel, Saturday 18th November, Heffernan Park, 2:30pm
With Clonmel in resurgent form after last weekend’s result, can they topple second from bottom Ballina away from home this weekend?
Ballina looked to have turned the tide two weeks ago defeating Tullamore on home soil but a late defeat away to Midleton last weekend quenched any bit of momentum that came from the result. They did produce a strong showing however and tested Midelton, with Clonmel’s form also a little rocky this season can that home performance count to get them over the line.
Having lost two games prior to a strong outing with Omagh last weekend, Clonmel did look in a spot of bother but really showed their quality to get them over the line. A strong bonus point result and with Josef O’Connor accurate with his goal kicking, they have many weapons at their disposal.
Clogher Valley v Bangor, Saturday 18th November, The Cran, 2:30pm
A first Ulster derby for both this year and a first local visit for Clogher in the AIL as Down based Bangor crossed the province.
It has been a meteoric rise for Clogher in their debut season, The Cran faithful really have set the pace and with five bonus point results sit three clear in the standings. Unbeaten and unmatched in many areas of the park, they will be brimming with confidence ahead of this showdown.
Despite losing five in a row, Bangor after last weekend’s heart-breaking defeat will have some extra motivation ahead of this meeting. Having come so close to toppling Galwegians it was snatched away right at the death. Gareth Millar shone that day and has been a huge player for the side in the past, one of the fulcrums hoping to deliver a win this weekend.
Galwegians v Enniscorthy, Saturday 18th November, Crowley Park, 2:30pm
A rematch of the relegated sides from 2B last season at Crowley Park, promotion firmly on their minds this season and with both performing well it has the signs to be a cracking contest.
Wegians remain unbeaten and twice that has been tested and on both occasions they managed to avoid defeat. A stalemate Bruff where they were ahead 26-0 and last weekend’s 28-26 win away at Bangor. Two weeks in a row where a tight game has seen Wegians under pressure but experience and a very strong squad has propelled them to sit three of the leaders.
High scoring Enniscorthy look to avoid another defeat similar to their 41-18 defeat in Galway last December, the Wexford side are on a hot streak and currently sit top of the scoring charts in the division with the second best defence. Having taken the win in Alcast Park when the sides last met in January of this year, can they extend their recent winning streak to four in this one?
Omagh Academicals v Bruff, Saturday 18th November, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields, 2:30pm
Having suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend, Bruff hope to bounce back with a trip to Ulster in a fixture that has proved fruitful in the past.
Suffering their third defeat of the campaign last weekend, dropping to seventh in the standings, can another home turnaround move Omagh back up the table. Having lost all of their away meetings thus far, when they return home they take the win, against an experienced promotion chasing Bruff will that unbeaten home streak come to an end?
Having taken the win in a 27-34 dog fight at the same venue back in April, Bruff will feel they have enough in the tank to replicate that. It has been a solid start, drawing with Galwegians when it looked all but lost, a defeat to Clogher last weekend followed and hoping to avoid falling into a slump they are out for points this time around.
Tullamore v Midleton, Saturday 18th November, Spollanstown, 2:30pm
Midelton were resurgent last weekend and sit six points outside the promotion places, could we see the Cork side cut that gap this weekend as they head to Spollanstown.
The hosts are certainly out of form this year, having been a contender for promotion last season, the Offaly outfit are one point outside the relegation play-offs and three from the automatic drop zone as we approach round six. Midelton took the points when they last met in March, one of the results that saw Tullamore finish third in the standings by the end of the season.
Having almost dropped out of senior rugby last season, Midleton are not far off the top four after the opening five rounds of games and against a side that are struggling of late, playing their brand of rugby could they take the points. Having toppled Ballina last weekend, they will have tails up heading to Spollanstown, despite losing their last two trips to the venue. Strong and will battle to the very end, for sure this will be an entertaining contest.
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