Match Preview
AIL Preview: Division 2C Round 9
We are officially at the mid season point and before we break for the festive season, will Clogher Valley remain as leaders in 2C this weekend, Galwegians, Enniscorthy and Bruff all remain in hot pursuit.
Bangor v Tullamore, Saturday December 16th, Upritchard Park, 2:30pm
After falling to bottom spot in the standings last weekend Bangor look to bounce back against Tullamore.
Can home advantage be a big player for Bangor in their hopes of jumping out of the relegation zones ahead of the new year. The state of play as far as they are concerned is this like all of their ties prior is a must win. Ballina and Omagh sit two points ahead and have tricky away trips this weekend, above all they need a second win of the year in this tie.
With three wins in their last four meetings with Bangor, Tullamore on paper have form coming into this one. The Offaly win lost narrowly to Bruff last weekend, they are playing a good brand of rugby and were going for three on the spin last weekend. It is a monumental gap to chase down Bruff in fourth, six clear of relegation, they also need to prevent that danger occurring with a result in this one.
Bruff v Midleton, Saturday December 16th, Killyballyowen Park, 2:30pm
A Munster derby in succession for Midleton as they travel to Shannonside attempting to cut the 13 point gap between them and Bruff in fourth spot.
Now that the top four was blown open by Clogher losing last weekend, Bruff have the chance to move higher in the standings. Results elsewhere would have to favour the Limerick men, level with Scorthy, two behind Wegians and five from Clogher. With a three game winning streak against Midleton confidence will be high especially as they are on for a fourth win in a row in 2C.
Midleton returned to winning ways last weekend after two defeats in succession prior to the 19-15 win over Clonmel in last weekend’s all Munster affair. With how competitive the 2C table looks from fourth down to tenth spot, dropping points for those teams does come at a price. If Midleton can punch that glass ceiling and get a win here it does their survival hopes a world of good and also close the gap to fight for a promotion spot.
Clogher Valley v Omagh Academicals, Saturday December 16th, The Cran, 2:30pm
After their unbeaten run came to an end last weekend, Clogher have an all Ulster affair to worry about this weekend as Omagh provide a tough test.
The Cran faithful tasted defeat in narrow fashion to Enniscorthy last weekend, now they have something they have not had since round one and that’s come into a game week having not won a week prior. This Clogher team are still very strong and if given pasture to roam will punish any team put in front of them. Last week was a blip as far as they are concerned and look to get back to winning ways to keep hold of that top spot.
This game will be a first meeting for both in the AIL despite being a relatively close encounter. Omagh can be a testing side but having lost four games in a row prior to this weekend’s outing are a team in need of form. Hanging precariously on the edge of the relegation zones, the Tyrone outfit could end the year in the drop zone with dropped points and a side below taking a win.
Clonmel v Enniscorthy, Saturday December 16th, Ardghaoithe, 2:30pm
After last weekend’s exploits, Enniscorthy will be hoping to continue their push for the lead in 2C as they travel to Tipperary.
Clonmel are one of three teams sat on 17 points looking to cut the gap to Bruff and take up a spot in the top four. The Tipp outfit have suffered back to back defeats and look to find their form before we get back underway in the new year. In their last three outings the margin between winning and losing was four points or less, twice in succession it was on the other end of the outcome, can they get the optimum result this weekend.
For the first time in over two years Scorthy journey down to Ardghaoithe. The last time came on the 11th of December 2021, Scorthy came out 31-15 winners that day and would love a similar result as that also ended the year on a high before the break. With how well they played last weekend to defeat the leaders, that might be the extra spark they needed to push for the title.
Galwegians v Ballina, Saturday December 16th, Crowley Park, 2:30pm
A trilogy of provincial meetings this weekend, the third has Mayo meeting Galway, as Ballina travel to Crowley Park to play Wegians.
Second hosts ninth in this meeting, a game Galwegians will be fancied to win based on their recent form. The Tribesmen have lost just once this season which was to Clogher Valley and coming off the back of a strong away win in round 8 they will be out to impress in front of their home crowd. Wegians look the business to date and with three points between them and the league leaders, it is not a massive gap to cut down.
Ballina will have it all to do taking on their Connacht neighbours in Galway, plenty of history between the two as Wegians were the side that beat Ballina by three points over the two leg relegation playoff in division 2B a year ago. The Mayo men have seen the return of some of their GAA stars in recent weeks. The sides will meet again in 10 on the 13th of January at Heffernan Park.
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