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Match Preview
The race for promotion heats up as we have just three games left of the season, while at the foot of the table, Ballina, Omagh Academicals and Sundays Well all fight for survival.
Ballina V Sundays Well, Sat 25th March, Heffernan Park, 2:30pm
In a game that is crucial to ensure safety from relegation, both Ballina and Sundays Well treat this as a must win with just three games remaining.
Ballina have picked up a win in three of their last seven games, but unable to build a streak to see them gather steam, they are currently in 8th place on 21 point just outside the drop zone and a win tomorrow would see them pull clear of Sundays Well who are in 10th place on 16 points with just two rounds remaining.
Well on the other hand had a big win at home against 9th placed Omagh Academicals last time out, just their third win of the season, they will hope to add to that this weekend. A big home crowd and traveling support are expected at Heffernan Park tomorrow afternoon for this must win game for both sides.
Bangor V Instonians, Sat 25th March, Upritchard Park, 2:30pm
Instonians are already champions but will want to end the season on a perfect record, while Bangor still have an outside shot of making the play-offs.
An all Ulster tie that Bangor will aim to come out on top as they are eight points behind Clonmel in fourth, defeat in round 15th was their third loss in five games and they may have to settle for a mid table finish unless they find their feet as they are not too worried by relegation.
Instonians are going for their 16th straight win in the series, where points are won the bonus point follows, they have scored 639 points to date, the most of any time in the five AIL divisions, while also having the best defence.
Omagh Academicals V Midleton, Sat 25th March, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields, 2:30pm
Omagh come into this tie knowing it is a crucial must win to keep their hopes of safety alive, while Midleton’s safety is not 100% guaranteed.
A win for Omagh would put them ahead of Ballina and back into eight should they lose to Well, however a bonus point win would work also if Ballina are victorious, looking to end a four game losing streak, they need to find some late momentum.
Skerries V Bruff, Sat 25th March, Holmpatrick, 2:30pm
Skerries climbed to second in round 15 and look to keep that spot as they welcome promotion chasing Bruff to Holmpatrick.
The Goats are looking to make it eight straight wins if they can secure victory over Burff, their last loss came in a tight defeat to Well in December, when the sides met in Limerick earlier in the season, Skerries edged a close contest 15-7.
Bruff are eyeing up the fourth spot currently occupied by Clonmel, victory last time out ended a recent run of defeats, they will hope that has turned their fortunes for the better as the season comes to a close.
Tullamore V Clonmel, Sat 25th March, Spollanstown, 2:30pm
Another big game at the top of the table sees third entertain fourth, both looking for positive results to boost their play-off hopes.
Tullamore’s defeat in Midleton last time out saw them drop to third in the standings, their fourth loss of the season and the first since Skerries beat them at the end of January, with not much between them and Skerries they will be gunning for the win.
With contenders beneath them staking a claim for fourth spot, Clonmel also need a win this weekend to keep their position under lock and key, having lost their last two they hope to stop that losing streak, while also overturning the outcome of their last meeting with Tullamore.
DIARMUID KEARNEY
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