All-Ireland League: Division 2 Previews
Table toppers Ballynahinch are unbeaten in their quest to bounce back from relegation last season. They host Thomond at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, UCD, who are also currently unbeaten, make the trip to Midleton as they try to keep the pressure on ‘Hinch.
ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE: DIVISION 2: Saturday, November 13
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
Ballynahinch (1st) V Thomond (15th), Ballymacarn Park
Unbeaten in four games, try bonuses in three and a points difference of +88 – the ‘Hinch are looking unstoppable at the moment.
This Saturday sees Thomond come calling. They are side badly in need of a lift having lost all four games so far and only squeezing a losing bonus point out of Bective last time out.
Ballymacarn Park is always lively on match day and if you’re not going to Aviva Stadium for Ireland V Samoa then you could do far worse than catch this game which should see the hosts maintain their unbeaten run.
Belfast Harlequins (8th) V Old Wesley (12th), Deramore Park
Two clubs with a lot of history clash in Deramore Park on Saturday. ‘Quins shipped 47 points against UCD in the last round and sit in mid table with two wins, two losses and a neutral points difference.
Visitors Old Wesley notched up their first win of the league against Clon at the end of October. Eric Miller’s side will be hoping to build on that win and improve their league standing.
If the Dublin side can improve their accuracy they could pose a threat to their hosts on Saturday.
Clonakilty (16th) V Ballymena (3rd), The Vale
Clon have not had the best of starts to their season, losing four on the trot without even a bonus point to get them started.
It looks like being a long season for the West Cork side and Saturday may not provide much relief.
Ballymena have only lost to leaders Ballynahinch and with three try bonuses they look to have a potent backline. They should be good enough to take the points in The Vale on Saturday.
Corinthians (7th) V Malone (4th), Corinthian Park
This is an interesting matchup. These two sides could well be in the mix for a promotional spot at the end of the season and this is a game that could make the difference.
The home side have won two from two but have managed two try bonuses. They will need to tighten up on a defence that has seen them ship 90 points so far.
Malone bounced back from their loss to Midleton with a win over Old Crescent to move back up to 4th place. The result of this one could be a bell weather for both clubs.
Midleton (5th) V UCD (2nd), Towns Park
Both teams won in the last round. Midleton won enjoyed a one point win over Trinity while UCD ran up 47 points against ‘Quins.
The Cork side are sitting nicely in 5th but have yet to pick up a bonus point and that could be the difference on Saturday.
UCD are four from four with two try bonuses to their name. They may not get one here against a tight Midleton defence but they probably have enough in the side to take four points from this encounter.
Old Crescent (14th) V Dublin University (11th), Rosbrien
Played four, won one, lost three. The same stats for both sides but the students have managed a losing bonus point in each of those lost games leaving them four points ahead in the table.
The Limerick side were well beaten by Malone last time out while Trinity lost at home by a point to Midleton.
The students should be good enough to take the points but it won’t be easy.
Terenure College (9th) V Queens University (10th), Lakelands Park
A mid table clash as 9th plays 10th with the teams level on 9 points.
Queens haven’t managed the same try scoring feats as they did in Division 3 last season as they try and find their feet in Division 2.
‘Nure had a good win over DLSP last time out and will be hoping to build from there for the rest of the season. A home win is the more likely here and a good chance for the Dublin side to show their mettle.
Bective Rangers (6th) V De La Salle Palmerston (13th), Donnybrook, Sunday, 2:30 pm
A Sunday kick off for this Dublin derby as a lively Bective face a ‘Salmo side that have yet to kick into gear.
Bective had a tight win over Thomond last time out and have won three out of their four games to date.
They should be strong enough to hold off the challenge of DLSP who have only one win to their name but you never can tell when it comes to a local derby and ‘Salmo willbe gunning for a scalp on Sunday in Donnybrook.
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