Ulster Bank League: Division 2A Previews
The action in Division 2A begins with a Friday Night Lights Tipperary derby as Cashel and Nenagh Ormond battle it out for local bragging rights. Elsewhere, on Saturday, clubs have opted for early or late kick-offs so you can take in Ireland’s game against Canada.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A: Saturday, September 19
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
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Cashel (4th) v Nenagh Ormond (7th), Spafield, Friday, 8pm
There is more than just league points at stake in this game as these two Co. Tipperary sides come face to face for the first time this season. A ‘Friday Night Lights’ special promises a big crowd.
With Brendan O’Connor making a big impact off the bench, Cashel kicked off last week with a one-point win on the road to Thomond, while this is Nenagh Ormond’s first league match – a tough one to start with.
UCC (8th) v Skerries (10th), the Mardyke, 12.30pm
League position is not really a guide to form with only one game done for Skerries, who lost at home to Naas, 16-0, in very wet conditions last Friday.
UCC are making their seasonal debut in this encounter so they may be ring rusty. A possible away win on the cards.
Queen’s University (1st) Thomond (5th), Dub Lane, 1pm
A bright start for Queen’s University last Saturday with an impressive win away to Corinthians. They secured a try-scoring bonus point and top the table for now.
Thomond were edged at home by Cashel but secured a losing bonus point thanks to a late try from Croatian prop Sasha Slijepcevic. They are a dogged outfit, but the students may have too much firepower.
Banbridge (3rd) v Corinthians (9th), Rifle Park, 4.30pm
Banbridge kicked off their campaign with a win over Ulster rivals Malone in Gibson Park, aided by a cohesive display from their Simon Best-coached pack.
They are at home this weekend, hosting a Corinthians that coughed up a try-scoring bonus point to Queen’s last weekend. This is a first away trip for Corinthians under new head coach Ene Fa’atau, the former Dundalk boss.
A home win would set Bann up nicely, while a second loss would leave the Galway side with a lot of work to do.
Naas (2nd) v Malone (6th), Forenaughts, 4.30pm
Naas notched up an impressive away victory Holmpatrick last week, with new player-coach Johne Murphy directing operations from outside centre, and will hope to build on that performance this weekend.
Malone travel to Kildare on the back of a three-point defeat to Banbridge, with a late try from centre Michael Barker earning them a losing bonus point. Early days yet in the league, but home advantage could prove key for Murphy’s charges.