Tralee seek to keep up recovery
LEAGUE action returns this Sunday with the clash of Tralee and St Senans topping the bill for the local Munster junior rugby sides. Tralee made a bad start to this season's league campaign, and thanks to some very impressive performances recently they have got themselves up to a very credible fifth place in the table.
St Senans, who sit 11th in the table after their previous 11 matches will feel they are not yet safe from relegation as the gap to the bottom two is only six points. This is a must win game for both sides for very different reasons. Tralee may not be in with a realistic chance of gaining promotion this season but a loss will definitely end that dream.
Senans on the other hand will be only too aware that a loss could see them end up right in the middle of the relegation dogfight.
Castleisland and Killarney also take to the field this Sunday with all three sides finding themselves on the road. Another similarity between the two J2 teams is that they both travel to county Cork as Castleisland face off against Ballincollig and Killarney make the trip to Bandon.
Castleisland and Killarney have both found themselves in mid table safety so a win, while welcome, might not be essential.
The J3 sees Chorca Dhuibhne, Abbeyfeale and Killorglin all take to the field as they bid to improve their league positions. All three sides are technically still in the hunt for promotion to Division 2, although to be realistic it looks like Killorglin and Abbeyfeale are the only two with their destiny still in their own hands.
Killorglin will be involved in the game of the weekend as they prepare to play table toppers Dungarvan. If the Kerry side can take the victory in this one, they will have to be favourites to take one of the promotion places come season's end.
Being at home should be of great benefit to the Kerry side as they attempt to overcome a Waterford outfit that have shown themselves to be a real threat and only been on the wrong side of a result twice this season.
Abbeyfeale's away game at bottom side Dunmanway is a clear must win fixture for the Limerick lads. Abbeyfeale cannot afford anymore slip ups if they are to keep pace with the top sides, and that means that failure is not an option for the side that have lost four times already this season.
Chorca Dhuibhne's away fixture at Douglas is pretty much a dead rubber for the Kerry side as they won't be gaining promotion this season and shouldn't be involved in any dog fights at the bottom either. Having said that, Chorca will be looking to build on their last league outing which was a 25 – 0 demolition of Dunmanway.
FIXTURES
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12 (kick-off 2.30pm) St Senans v Tralee Ballincollig v Castleisland Bandon v Killarney Killorglin v Dungarvan Corca Dhuibhne v Douglas Dunmanway v Abbeyfeale
- Diarmuid Sheehan
