#EnergiaAIL Men’s Divisions 2A, 2B & 2C: Weekend Previews

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 2A – ROUNDS 10/12:

Saturday, February 22

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

CASHEL (5th) v MU BARNHALL (3rd), Spafield, 1.45pm

BALLYMENA (9th) v NAVAN (8th), Eaton Park

BANBRIDGE (6th) v INSTONIANS (1st), Rifle Park

BUCCANEERS (10th) v GREYSTONES (4th), Dubarry Park, 4pm

There is plenty of mouth-watering action in Division 2A this weekend, with promotion-chasing pair Cashel and MU Barnhall facing off, along with a big Ulster derby between Banbridge and Instonians.

Another away win for Instonians would further increase their hopes of securing a third All-Ireland League title in succession, and with it promotion to Division 1B. Sixth-placed Banbridge will not want to cough up points on home turf.

After their late victory over Ballymena last Saturday, Bann will fancy their chances against the table toppers. Captain Peter Cromie grabbed a hat-trick of tries last time out, and continues to be a key player for Rob Logan’s men.

Paul Pritchard’s Instonians side, who are nine points clear of Galway Corinthians with a game in hand, will be hungry to deliver a third win in a row. They won their first meeting with Bann before Christmas, helped by a try from skipper David Whitten in a 33-21 bonus point success.

With Corinthians not playing this weekend, MU Barnhall have an opportunity to leapfrog them into second spot. They head to Spafield to play Cashel, who are just two places and two points behind them, with an earlier kick-off time of 1.45pm.

The Tipperary men have won their last three fixtures, overcoming both Corinthians and Greystones during this run. Ray Moloney’s charges are always a tough proposition at home, as ‘Stones found out last week when they came up against a defensive brick wall at times.

However, Barnhall have won on their last three visits to Spafield, including twice last season. They won a promotion play-off semi-final there last April, prevailing 25-23 thanks to James Gorham’s late penalty. The outcome of their latest rematch could prompt a reshuffle in the top four.

Greystones had to console themselves with a losing bonus point against Cashel, a late attacking surge from a penalty not enough to extend their winning streak to eight games. They are off to Athlone for a rescheduled round 12 meeting with bottom side Buccaneers. It gets underway at 4pm.

A positive first half from Buccaneers against Old Crescent gave way to a disappointing closing 40 minutes, as they fell to a 13th straight defeat. The Pirates missed Ireland Sevens call-up Daniel Hawkshaw, who is away at the Vancouver Sevens this week, and need a massive performance here.

Worryingly for the relegation-threatened midlanders, Greystones scored 11 tries to beat Buccs 71-8 back in November. As well as a sharp attack, Danny Kenny’s side boast the second meanest defence in the division. They have conceded an average of 18.3 points per game so far.

Another of round 10’s rescheduled matches concerns the bottom end of the table, as ninth-placed Ballymena and Navan, who lie four points above the Braidmen, square off at Eaton Park.

John Nicholl’s Ballymena side will be hoping for a timely return to winning ways after two recent five-point defeats. They just left it too late against Old Crescent, and were undone by Cromie’s hat-trick heroics for Bann last Saturday despite wingers Dean Millar and Ben Neely (2) both touching down.

Navan come into this clash having suffered three straight losses. Their most recent one against Barnhall could have gone either way as they battled right until the final whistle. They beat Ballymena 22-21 courtesy of a late Tom Gavigan penalty before Christmas, and also won 29-23 at Eaton Park last season.

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 2B – ROUND 10:

Saturday, February 22

CLOGHER VALLEY (3rd) v RAINEY (4th), the Cran, 2.30pm

Just one match had to be rescheduled in Division 2B of the Energia All-Ireland League following the bad weather last month. It certainly is a crunch contest as Clogher Valley and Rainey, two of the teams currently residing in the top four battle it out.

Beaten last weekend by Dungannon on home soil, Clogher Valley will be targeting a much-improved start having trailed 21-7 at the break before losing out by three points. Defeat for either team at the Cran would open the door for Galwegians below them.

Stephen Bothwell’s Clogher outfit, who have won four of their six home games so far, will be determined to bounce straight back from their first loss in three rounds. Their top points scorer David Maxwell (100 points) and leading try scorer Callum Smyton (9 tries) continue to impress.

Rainey are becoming a real story in the league over these last few weeks, as five wins on the trot have put them right in the mix for the play-offs. Scott McLean is one of the division’s best kickers, while Jack Hardy is their top try scorer with nine, including a brace in December’s 32-20 victory over Valley.

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 2C – ROUND 10:

Saturday, February 22

BALLYCLARE (7th) v BELFAST HARLEQUINS (3rd), the Cloughan, 12.30pm

Another massive Ulster derby on the cards presents Belfast Harlequins with an opportunity to propel themselves up into second place. The last couple of rounds have not gone their way, with reversals to Dolphin (46-33) and Clonmel (25-22) leaving them seven points off leaders Midleton.

So this is a crucial game in hand for Harlequins, and it is very much the same for Ballyclare who, buoyed by two wins in their last three outings, are still within reach of the play-offs in their debut league season. Matthew McDowell’s assured goal-kicking has been a real positive for them.

Aided by two tries from hooker Jack Black last Saturday, Mike Orchin-McKeever’s charges ran out 31-12 winners over another of the division’s Ulster clubs, bottom side Omagh Academicals. However, ‘Quins are competing hard for promotion and will present a much tougher challenge.

These sides played out a six-try thriller at Deramore Park before Christmas, with ‘Quins coming from 14 points down to earn a share of the spoils (21-all). Goal-kicking centre Ben Power, a try scorer that day, continues to be a consistent performer with 89 points to his name so far.

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