Diarmuid Kearney reviews hopes and battles in the AIL

By Diarmuid Kearney
HOPE and relegation battles are all on the line before the competition pauses for a two-week break.
In Division 1A, Despite sitting eighth, Ballynahinch remain mathematically in the hunt for a top-four finish, but they need results quickly. They host fifth-placed Cork Constitution, who lost ground last weekend after a heavy defeat to St Mary’s College. Form has been mixed for both sides. Hinch won the reverse meeting earlier this season, but were beaten in this fixture last March.
In Castle Avenue, holders Clontarf welcome Old Belvedere in a Dublin derby. Belvo sit seventh but remain in the conversation for a semi-final place if they can string together results in the closing rounds. Clontarf won 34-12 in the reverse fixture and, despite a few recent defeats, will be determined to secure a home semi-final with victory on Saturday.
Fourth-placed Lansdowne cannot afford to slip up as they host sixth placed Young Munster on the Aviva Stadium back pitch. Lansdowne are two points ahead of the Limerick side and chasing a third consecutive win. Young Munster showed last weekend they remain a threat despite defeat in Dublin.
At the bottom, Nenagh Ormond face a must-win clash with Terenure College. Defeat would confirm relegation for the Tipperary side, but a result and a win for UCD would also see them relegated. Terenure, back inside the top four after an emphatic win over Ballynahinch, will look to consolidate their position.
Leaders St Mary’s College face UCD in another Dublin derby. Mary’s have been outstanding in their return to the top flight and are aiming to tighten their grip on first place. UCD sit 12 points from safety and desperately need a result to avoid the relegation play-off.
In the Women’s Division, we have two key clashes involving the top four headline the weekend. Blackrock College host Railway Union in a Dublin derby at Stradbrook as both sides chase home semi-final advantage. Old Belvedere then welcome unbeaten leaders UL Bohemian to Ollie Campbell Park, with Fiona Hayes facing her former club.
Elsewhere, Galwegians aim to build momentum ahead of the Conference semi-finals when they face bottom side Tullow. Cooke host Ballincollig in a crucial clash near the relegation zone, while newcomers Ennis take on Wicklow with both sides seeking form ahead of next month’s semi-finals.
In Division 1B, leaders Old Wesley look to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Garryowen when they host Instonians. Trinity are only three points behind and must beat UCC at home to keep their title hopes alive.
Highfield could strengthen their push for a top-four finish with victory over Naas, who are fighting to avoid the relegation play-off. Garryowen, fresh from their win over Wesley, host Blackrock College in another crucial clash in the race for the semi-finals. While Queen’s University face relegation if they lose their Ulster derby with City of Armagh or pick up a win and other results go against them.
MU Barnhall could seal the Division 2A title with three games to spare if they secure a 15th straight win away to Old Crescent. Dungannon have a must win game against Shannon should Barnhall slip up, while Wanderers face Ballymena in an important top-four battle. Galway Corinthians aim to keep their play-off hopes alive against Greystones, while Cashel look to push clear of the drop zone against bottom side Banbridge.
Galwegians need just one more win to claim the Division 2B title as they travel to Malone, while Clogher Valley and UL Bohemian continue their chase for second place in the promotion run in, the Ulster side welcome Sligo to The Cran, while UL Bohemian are away to fourth placed Rainey. Elsewhere, Buccaneers host Enniscorthy, while Skerries welcome Navan for an all Leinster clash.
In Division 2C, leaders Clonmel host relegation threatened Belfast Harlequins, while Monkstown and Bective Rangers meet in a significant Dublin derby with top-four implications. Thomond look to keep their top four push alive at home to Malahide, Midleton host Dolphin in an all Cork clash affecting matters at both ends of the table, while Bruff host Ballyclare, as both are still pushing for top four.
Fixtures:
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A
Ballynahinch v Cork Constitution, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm
Clontarf v Old Belvedere, Castle Avenue, 2:30pm
Lansdowne v Young Munster, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, 2:30pm
Nenagh Ormond v Terenure College, New Ormond Park, 2:30pm
St Mary’s College v UCD, Templeville Road, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division
Cooke v Ballincollig, Shaw’s Bridge, 2:30pm
Galwegians v Tullow, Crowley Park, 2:30pm
Ennis v Wicklow, Drumbiggle, 3pm
Blackrock College v Railway Union, Stradbrook, 4pm
Old Belvedere v UL Bohemian, Ollie Campbell Park, 5pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B
Dublin University v UCC, College Park, 2:30pm
Garryowen v Blackrock College, Dooradoyle, 2:30p-m
Highfield v Naas, Woodleigh Park, 2:30pm
Old Wesley v Instonians, Energia Park, 2:30pm
Queen’s University v City Of Armagh, Dub Lane, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A
Cashel v Banbridge, Spafield, 2:30pm
Galway Corinthians v Greystones, Corinthian Park, 2:30pm
Old Crescent v MU Barnhall, Takumi Park, 2:30pm
Shannon v Banbridge, Thomond Park Back Pitch, 2:30pm
Wanderers v Ballymena, Merrion Road, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B
Buccaneers v Enniscorthy, Dubarry Park, 2:30pm
Clogher Valley v Sligo, The Cran, 2:30pm
Malone v Galwegians, Gibson Park, 2:30pm
Rainey v UL Bohemian, Hatrick Park, 2:30pm
Skerries v Navan, Holmpatrick, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2C
Bruff v Ballyclare, Kilballyowen Park, 2:30pm
Clonmel v Belfast Harlequins, Ard Gaoithe, 2:30pm
Midleton v Dolphin, Towns Park, 2:30pm
Monkstown v Bective Rangers, Sydney Parade, 2:30pm
Thomond v Malahide, Liam Fitzgerald Park, 2:30pm

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