In Division 1A Ballynahinch welcome third place UCD to Ballymacarn Park, having recorded a an impressive 32-26 win at Belfield in January. With two games to play there is an outside chance that Stuart Morrow's side can avoid a relegation playoff if Dolphin lose their last two games and Hinch secure two wins. Ballynahinch are on a good run of form having retained the Ulster Senior League title at Armagh 36-3 last Friday night on the back of wins against Cork Constitution and Young Munster in the All Ireland League.
In Division 1B, Belfast Harlequins and Malone face two anxious weekends in their fight to retain their Div 1B status with fellow Ulster side Dungannon relegated. It is a battle between Malone, Blackrock College, Dublin Uni and Quins to avoid finishing second bottom with four points separating the four sides. The meeting of Blackrock College and Dublin Uni at Stadbrook will be closely followed on Saturday.
Quins face a daunting trip to Galway to take on third place Corinthians who are pushing for a second place finish and a playoff with the second bottom team in Div 1A. The injuries in the Ulster squad will deprive them of Ricky Lutton, Niall Annett and Michael Heaney. Malone travel in the knowledge that they have yet to win on the road down South in this seasons All Ireland League. The task at Shannon on the Thomond Park pitch with a 1pm kick off will be a challenging one for Coaches Jacque Benade, Michael Ferguson and Gareth Fry. This young Malone side have struggled to close out games from a winning position this season. Can they turn it around and secure a most valuable win. The addition of Alan O'Connor and Corey Tipping will strengthen their forward options.
Dungannon welcome league winners Terenure College to Stevenson Park. The James Blaney inspired side remain undefeated this season as they have secured back to back promotions in consecutive seasons.
In Division 2A Ballymena will be disappointed to have slipped up at UCC in their AIL match. Promotion and that all important second place will come down to three teams including UCC, Ballymena and City of Derry. If Derry win in Cork at UCC and Ballymena defeat Barnhall at Eaton Park the Eaton Park side will be promoted. City of Derry have performed well on the road down South winning three and drawing one game. Expect the North West side to go all out for a win. Coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair will expect no less from their players in their final game of the season.
In other games Banbridge entertain Naas who along with Seapoint are fighting to avoid that third bottom playoff place. Bann coach Daniel Soper asked for a response from his players before Xmas as they struggled in the relegation zone. Their efforts have seen the team surge up to 7th place with the players looking to consolidate their position in their final home game at Rifle Park.
Rainey travel to league winners Galwegians in a season that promised so much for coaches Richard Boyd and John Andrew. After winning Div 2B last season the club had high ambitions. Injuries held back this talented squad who will be expected to mount a serious challenge for league honours next season. Queens welcome already relegated Old Crescent to the Dub. A season that promised so much for the students before Xmas petered out in the second half.
In Div 2B Ards welcome the Trevor Hogan led league champions, Nenagh Ormond to Hamilton Park. With a reported four coaches of supporters travelling from the Tipperary club expect a day of celebrations for the Munster men as they look to hold on to their winning run. Armagh travel to Cork to play Midleton in a season that promised much. A 6th place finish will be no consolation for Coach Andy Hughes as his side were in the promotion pack only to lose key matches on the run in. Instonians already facing a playoff with either Kanturk or Clogher Valley travel to winless Suttonians in Dublin. A morale boosting win is needed by Coach William Leacock and his players.
The Round Robin playoffs conclude this weekend with favourites Wanderers looking to secure their third win at home to OLBC from Galway. Clogher Valley travel to the heartland of Munster to play Kanturk knowing nothing less than a win will guarantee the Fivemiletown club a playoff game with Instonians. Both clubs were involved in titanic games last weekend as Kanturk lost 30-29 at home to Wanderers. Clogher Valley had to stage a dramatic late fight back to come from behind after trailing 11-6 to score three converted tries and record a 27-11 win. The efforts of both sides in these games will test the physical and mental attitudes of the players as they make one final effort to achieve AIL status.
Clogher Valley have been decimated with injuries; with the front row giving most concern. They await fitness tests on props Rodney Bennett, Richard Primrose and Ronan McAleer. There are also doubts over key forward David Sharkey and out half Philip Holme. Centre David Dunlop remains unavailable this weekend with his stand in Andy Breen continuing to impress. Key second row Eugene McKenna is in England this weekend with Alastair Trenier likely to deputise. On a positive note coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black will welcome back Captain Stephen Baxter. Having recorded a narrow 10-9 win over Kanturk in the All Ireland Junior Cup this season at the Cran, Coach Davy Black is adamant despite the injuries his team are going to Munster to win this game. We wish them well in their travels.
In the Qualifying Leagues there are a number of rearranged fixtures down for decision. In Qualifying 1 CIYMS travel to Donaldson Park to play Towns Cup finalists Donaghadee. There is a great rivarly between these two sides that will attract a large and vocal crowd. A win for CIYMS will secure that all important fourth place and qualification for next seasons All Ireland Junior Cup. Expect Stuart Ferguson and his Belmont side to be up for this game with a McCrea Cup final against neighbours Grosvenor coming up on Wed the 23rd April at Ravenhill.
Cooke travel to the students UUC at the Riverside safe in the knowledge they have avoided finishing second bottom in the league. Second bottom Coleraine will be watching anxiously the outcome of the Kanturk v Clogher Valley game. Defeat for the Valley men could see Coleraine relegated if Instonians were to lose the playoff.
In Qualifying 2 Academy play Carrickfergus at Roughfort. Both sides have finished in the top five. Carrick are coming off the back of four wins from five in the league. After three league defeats Academy bounced back with an impressive win at Grosvenor last weekend. With this being a County Antrim derby the bragging rights will be at stake.
In Qualifying 3 Lurgan entertain Newry with the Monaghan playing the PSNI. In Qualifying 4 BHSFP play Londonderry YMCA. In the Kukri QL & Conference league Malone seconds entertain Enniskillen.