In the Ulster Bank League, Ballynahinch continue their battle to avoid automatic relegation to Division 1B along with Ireland icon Eddie O'Sullivan who is plotting Garryowen's survival in Div 1A. With four games remaining both sides are locked on 17 league points. Ballynahinch welcome Young Munster to Ballymacarn Park for another must win game this Saturday.
In UBL 1B, Belfast Harlequins, Malone and Dungannon remain in the bottom half as they fight for points this weekend. Both Malone and Belfast Harlequins are in Dublin this weekend for titanic matches with fellow strugglers Blackrock College and Dublin University. Dungannon welcome promotion chasing Buccaneers to Stevenson Park on Saturday. A win is vital for the County Tyrone side to avoid relegation.
In Division 2A the chasing pack are fighting to secure second place with runaway leaders Galwegians having a 14 point advantage on second placed Ballymena with two games to go. Both Queen's University and City of Derry remain in contention, but require maximum points from ther remaining matches. Ballymena remain favourites for second place with an Ulster derby at Rainey on Saturday followed by decisive games against promotion chasing UCC and Barnhall. Queen's are on the road at Barnhall with Derry entertaining Seapoint at Judges Road. Mid table Banbridge join the exodus of Ulster clubs to Dublin with a game at Donnybrook against Old Wesley.
In Division 2B there is an Ulster derby with Armagh welcoming Ards to the Palace grounds. Armagh's promotion ambitions were seriously dented in the home defeat to Munster side Thomond last weekend. Ards are safe with Instonians requiring a home win against fellow strugglers Sligo. Wins for Boyne and Sligo this weekend will mean a playoff for the Belfast side.
Clogher Valley, Wanderers, Kanturk and OLBC commence their series of Round Robin matches this weekend for a place in Ulster Bank League 2B. The winners are automatically promoted with the second placed team playing the second bottom team in Div 2B on Saturday April 19th. Wanderers v Clogher Valley and OLBC v Kanturk open the fixtures this weekend.
The outcome of these games will influence promotion and relegation in the Kukri Qualifying Leagues with the potential for the top two sides to be promoted or the bottom two sides to be relegated.
The Lukri Qualifying League One programme was to be completed by 15th March, but due to inclement weather there are several rearranged games that will effect All Ireland Junior Cup qualification and relegation.
In Qualifying Two, the league winners may not be settled until the final league fixtures on 19th April involving favourites Ballyclare and Omagh with four points separating the two sides. Omagh have a free weekend with Ballyclare fulfilling a Conference League game at home to Malone 2nds. The remaining fixtures in this league include Grosvenor at home to Enniskillen, Limavady v Academy and the Antrim derby involving Randalstown and Carrickfergus at Nelisbrook with the Gary Longwell's team looking to consolidate their third place in this league.
In Qualifying League Three, the bottom two sides PSNI and Monaghan meet at Newforge in a crucial relegation decider.
In Qualifying Four league leaders Ophir will want to maintain their undefeated league record when they travel to second place Cavan. Other fixtures include Armoy v BHSFP and Civil Service entertaining Virginia.
This weekend we see the semi finals of the Gordon West Cup with current holders, Holywood welcoming the in form Newry to Kerr Park with a potential upset on the cards. Letterkenny will welcome home advantage in their diffcult game with promotion chasing Larne. All to play for as the four teams push for the final at Ravenhill on Saturday 19th April.
With the semi finals of the Powerade Towns Cup coming up on 29th March, Ballynahinch 2nds and Ballymena seconds continue their preparations with Conference League games against Ballymoney and Portadown.