Match Preview
After a week’s break 2C is back with another dramatic round set to take place. Promotion and Relegation races heat up as the weeks close in on the final day.
Bruff v Galwegians, Saturday March 2nd, Kilballyowen Park, 2:30pm
One of the games of the weekend will see promotion chasing Bruff looking to strengthen their hold on a play-off place as they host second placed Galwegians.
These two famously played out a 26-26 draw when they met in Crowley Park early in the campaign. Cast the mind back to last season and it was Bruff who relegated Wegians down to 2B as they prevailed in the play-offs.
The Treaty men did lose their last tie against Clogher Valley, with two wins in their last five, form has been varied by the hosts. Galwegians meanwhile had their tie with Bangor postponed last time out and are on a losing streak they aim to end as they have drifted 11 points away from the summit.
Clonmel v Clogher Valley, Saturday March 2nd, Ardghaoite, 2:30pm
Clogher Valley can take another famous step towards lifting the 2C title in their inaugural year if they can keep up recent momentum and overcome Clonmel.
The Tipp men are looking at a mid table finish for the year. 13 adrift of the play-off places and 15 from the drop zone. With Josef O’Connor firing on all cylinders of late, they have a serious weapon in their attack to cause the leaders problems.
Clonmel have varied results of late and relied heavily on O’Connor’s kicking exploits to see them over the line against Omagh. The Cran faithful meanwhile have gone unbeaten to start the new year and with a fruitful attack causing torment to defences in the Division, they will be out to add another bonus win to further strengthen their hopes of a title success.
Enniscorthy v Bangor, Saturday March 2nd, Alcast Park, 2:30pm
The race is on for Bangor to claw their way out of the relegation zone and the first step will be a trip to Wexford.
Scorthy have been impressive in this second half of the season, taking three wins from five games and looking confident in their abilities to make the play-offs. With placement in those play-off places now important, they are out to take a win to secure a home tie in the coming weeks.
As they were unable to lineout last time out, Bangor have a four point gap still to overcome in their pursuit of safety. The Ulstermen have taken just two wins this campaign, that came against Ballina in round 11. Midelton could well do them a favour this weekend but all eyes will be on their performance in Alcast Park.
Midleton v Omagh Academicals, Saturday March 2nd, Towns Park, 2:30pm
Midleton are safe this year and with 11 points the gap to fourth spot they cannot be written off just yet of making a place in the play-offs.
Results will dictate that with 20 points to play for in these coming weeks they would need Bruff and Tullamore to wilt heavily in their favour. Home form has been impressive this year by the Towns Park faithful and they will aim for a strong finish to the campaign.
Omagh meanwhile are in a race to stay up this year. Sitting eight four clear of the drop zone they are far from safe and are fighting every week between now and season’s end to stay up. Losing their last two games they are a team out of form but bring a lot to the table and can cause Midleton an issue this weekend.
Tullamore v Ballina, Saturday March 2nd, Spollanstown, 2:30pm
Making the play-off places is priority for Tullamore in these coming weeks, a win here would further that and also put Ballina in further woe of the automatic drop.
The Midlanders are six points behind Bruff as that race intensifies for a spot in the play-offs. Having been on an impressive unbeaten run that came to an end last time out, Tullamore have to pick themselves up and return to winning ways against the basement side if they are to remain in contention.
Bonus points could be crucial for Ballina and indeed Bangor this weekend to claw them further to safety. This and indeed the next three games are a must win for the Mayo side but two bonus points in this contest could move them to the play-off places if Bangor fail to pick up points. A win is the aim but points very much need to be scored one way or the other.
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