There’s another busy card of Leinster League rugby action around Carlow and Kilkenny this weekend with all sides out in action and all requiring wins.
Kilkenny v Ashbourne at Foulkstown
Update Friday 10.30pm: Kilkenny v Ashbourne (J1/J2) has been postponed due to a bereavement at Ashbourne RFC. The fixture will be played at a later date.
Elsewhere in Division 1A, league leaders Enniscorthy host Clondalkin, Monkstown host De La Salle Palmerston while second placed Gorey travel to bottom side Suttonians. All games kick off at 2.30pm.
Mullingar v Tullow at Shay Murtagh Park
Could the second half of the season be the turning point from Tullow?
Last weekend out they picked up only their second win in ten games against Cill Dara and did so in convincing fashion. This Sunday, it’s fifth play sixth as Tullow travel to Mullingar, one place and five points above them. When the sides last met in November it was a close enough encounter, Tullow unlucky to give up the win on a 15-10 reverse.
If last week’s win over Cill Dara can be the catalyst for a strong finish with just four league games remaining then this too can be billed as a ‘must win’ fixture for the Black Gates side. Kick off in Shay Murtagh Park is at 2.30pm with John Montayne down to referee.
Elsewhere in 1B, bottom side Longford welcome Coolmine to CPL Park, leaders Malahide host Cill Dara while North Kildare make the trip to Ashtown Lane to take on Wicklow.
Carlow v Newbridge at Oak Park
With their game in hand fixed for next month agains New Ross, Carlow fans will be hoping that last week’s postponement will have been put to good use as they sit 8 points off the top of a division that they could be leading.
On Sunday afternoon they’ll host Newbridge, the side that dropped into 2A with them for the 2015/16 season. In their last meeting at Rosetown in October, Carlow stole a ten point winning margin with a 28-18 win on the road and the Oak Park men will be looking for more of the same.
Automatic promotion and the 2A title should be the goal for Carlow and it’s still very much a possibility but results need to go their way and Portlaoise will need to stutter. With the league leaders hosting winless Athboy at the weekend there’s no hope of Portlaoise dropping points but there’s a great clash in second placed Railway Union traveling to fourth placed Portarlington at Lea Road.
In the other fixture of the day New Ross will be hopeful of a home win against Edenderry, both sides having similar seasons thus far.
Keep an eye out on Twitter and on air for updates across the afternoons on KCLR this Saturday and Sunday.
