Match Preview
As the second half of the season gets underway this weekend, the business end of the season is upon us and teams up and down the Division strive to find momentum to finish in the optimum places.
Ballina v Galwegians, Saturday January 13th, Heffernan Park, 2:30pm
Having enjoyed the Christmas break atop the standings, Galwegians look to continue their good fortune with a win to kickstart 2024.
Ballina proved a tough test for the Galway men when they met on the 16th of December, Wegians did prevail 27-18 on the day but the Mayo side gave it a real good go and despite being in ninth certainly showed their strengths. Leading at the break they were undone in the second stanza and despite a late try bringing them right back, Wegians hit the blow late on to wrap up the tie.
Galwegians will take that game as a learning curve heading to Mayo on Saturday for the second leg of this Connacht derby, the only one in 2C for these two. Wegians battled well and have a strong squad built since their relegation last term, just a point keeps them top of the table, with a fewer score difference to Clogher Valley they have one eye over their shoulders.
Enniscorthy v Clonmel, Saturday January 13th, Alcast Park, 2:30pm
Saturday will mark almost two years to the day Clonmel last travelled to meet Enniscorthy at Alcast Park, losers on the day, can they take the momentum from December’s win to take more points this weekend.
The Wexford men were very much in the game prior to Christmas having led for a time it just failed to materialise into a seventh win of the campaign. Back on home soil they can be a real test for anyone, very little also separates them from the rest of the top four, Bruff lead by two, Clogher by four and Galwegians by five. Still very much in the title picture they do not want to squander any points as the second half of the season begins this weekend.
Clonmel on the other hand sit ten points behind Scorthy in the table, winning that round nine contest on home soil certainly got the monkey off the back and ended a two game losing streak, now it’s all about moving up the table and closing the gap to fourth spot is the aim. Having played four games away from home this year the record stands at 2-2, this is an important stepping stone for them to make a push for promotion.
Midleton v Bruff, Saturday January 13th, Towns Park, 2:30pm
Munster Derby day on Leeside, as we once again have three all provincial meetings from three different provinces. Bruff look to keep making progress in the top four as they meet Midleton.
Midleton have had a better fortune so far this campaign than last, sitting seven points clear of the drop zone they have made steady progress this year and will look at securing a mid table spot or just finish outside the play-offs as a 14 point difference while not completely impossible does look too much to claw back. They can of course claw it back with a scalp over Bruff and strengthen their position in the standings.
Bruff making up for failure to make it to 2B in last year’s promotion final made it a strong end to 2023, winning seven of their nine games, a draw and defeat on their record also. Three points separates them from Galwegains so you just never know what way the table could look Saturday evening, they would need Galwegians to suffer defeat and also Clogher Valley who are two ahead in second. Bruff are flourishing and looking in red hot form going into this one.
Omagh Academicals v Clogher Valley, Saturday January 13th, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields, 2:30pm
Our third all provincial offering this weekend comes from Ulster as the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields plays host to the meeting of Omagh Academcials and Clogher Valley.
Omagh produced a bit of an upset, inflicting a consecutive defeat to Clogher Valley prior to the Christmas break. Those points were very much welcomed by the Tyrone men as they now sit four clear of Ballina outside the drop zone. Despite claiming that scalp in The Cran, they will still have to be at their best as Clogher have a point to prove in this one.
Defeats to Omagh and Enniscorthy before that does see the once unbeaten league leaders in poor form coming into this round ten meeting. Both defeats were less than five points and that could all prove costly as the second continues to the destination of round 18 in April. Clogher have made a serious splash since arriving in the AIL this year and need to find that form if they want to end the campaign as 2C Champions.
Tullamore v Bangor, Saturday January 13th, Spollanstown, 2:30pm
Bottom placed Bangor will hope 2024 brings better fortunes to end their relegation troubles as they head down to Offaly to face Tullamore.
The Ulstermen lost 31-25 when they met in December and it was just another day where despite a close game it wasn’t to be. They have had those moments this year and in the end Tullamore just had enough to see it out. Bangor are tough and will not make it easy for any team especially when their status as a senior club in the AIL is on the line, a track record of four defeats in five meetings with Tullamore does not make for pleasant viewing.
Those games were in the past but Tullamore will look to that round nine game as a source of inspiration to get them over the line on home soil in this one. Sitting in sixth place Tullamore are well outside the play-off places and bid to claw back the ten point gap that separates them from Enniscorthy. This will be a tough battle and one Tullamore will look forward to if it can bring a fifth win of the season.
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.
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