Match-By-Match Guide

Division One Today

Dolphin v Clontarf

On current standings, it is a play-off to avoid the play-off. Clontarf's pack has held up well against all bar Shannon and Ballymena, and allied to Richie Murphy's trusty left boot, could steer them to a potentially vital win, even though Dolphin enjoy home advantage.

Old Belvedere v Old Crescent

The arrival of the hard-nosed Tony Grant could give Crescent something that has been a bit of an achilles heel, namely discipline. With Jed O'Dwyer also there, Crescent should not want for desire. Belvedere are capable of springing a surprise, but in a proverbial four-pointer like this basement meeting, it's Crescent to prevail.

Ballymena v Constitution

Ballymena hope to have James Topping back on the wing but a minor knock to their robust number eight Keith Gallick relegates him to the bench, partly as a precautionary measure, to be replaced by John McCartney. As Ultan O'Callaghan returns to the back row, Constitution could well push the Ulstermen close, with the Brian O'Meara-Ronan O'Gara partnership even capable of giving them an edge over Andy Matchett and Derek McAleese. Indeed, a return to familiar pastures and the rebound effect from their defeat by Shannon suggests a home win.

Blackrock v Dungannon

Alan McGowan comes in at full-back for Blackrock in the absence of Tom Keating. McGowan actually did some considerable damage from there last season, for he is a decent and elusive runner. Blackrock are otherwise unchanged and have hit a bit of form with just one defeat in four (and that was an unlucky call in Clifford Park) whereas Dungannon seem to have lost some of their sparkle and have struggled to contain free-flowing Leinster back-lines. Blackrock to win.

Young Munster v Terenure

Influential number eight Declan Edwards is expected to return for Young Munster who need a win to regain their top-four place from St Mary's. Munsters have rediscovered their imposing form at Clifford Park this season, where they are unbeaten. Terenure have wrung the changes, bringing back Michael Smyth, Donal Hyland and Paul Holden, but they seem to lack sufficient leaders when the going gets tough in mid-season. They also sorely miss David Coleman and are under-utilising Ciaran Clarke. Young Munster to win.

Tomorrow

Garryowen v Shannon (3.0)

Garryowen field the same side that barely accounted for Clontarf, while Shannon show two changes from that which beat Ballymena. Alan McGrath, for whom post development tour syndrome hit harder than most, returns in midfield at the expense of Paul McMahon (chest infection) for his first game since the opening day win over Dungannon. John Hayes reverts to the front row and Kevin Keane comes in to partner Mick Galwey at lock in the absence of Noel Healy (who has undergone knee surgery). This looks a potentially tricky one for the holders. There is, though, something slightly unproven about Garryowen, given their last six games have been against the bottom six, whereas there's nothing unproven about Shannon.

Division Two

Greystones v Bective Rangers

Two sides on opposite graphs, Greystones having arrested a slide of three defeats with a creditable draw last time out away to Sunday's Well while Bective couldn't seal a third successive win in a draw with Wesley. One of those typical 5050 games which this division throws up (expect more draws), with home advantage tilting things Greystones' way.

Malone v Sunday's Well

Sunday's Well still seem to constitute the most credible challengers to the Connacht two. Malone are another of those decent litmus tests which Murray Kidd's team will be hard-pressed to beat, but with their excellent defence they should win another low-scoring game.

Old Wesley v UCC

A suspicion lurks that an over-worked and slightly stale UCC may be hitting a minor mid-season slump. Their one-try win over Monkstown was hardly in keeping with their free-scoring start to the campaign but even below their best they could have too much pace out wide for Wesley.

Monkstown v Buccaneers

That unlikely win at DLSP is an absolute life-saver for a hard-pressed Monkstown, who are showing signs of rolling their sleeves up and are probably not that much inferior (if at all) to the vast bulk of this division. But now comes the truly hard part, for it is their turn to experience the Connacht double whammy. It will be a staggering surprise if they're not still bottom of the table after that.

Skerries v Galwegians

Match of the day in Division Two undoubtedly. This is the kind of game that gets Skerries shackles up - a visit from starstudded, high-flyers and a big game for Billy Mulcahy especially. Hence their unbeaten home record which dates back to the Bohemians defeat three seasons ago. With Gareth Earley back in midfield and David O'Sullivan getting in among the Galwegians backs, Skerries look to be fielding their strongest side in months. But Galwegians have possibly stepped up another level with that Buccaneers showdown, and are themselves back to full strength with the anticipated return of the excellent Junior Charlie. Galwegians to carry on their merry way.

Wanderers v City Of Derry

Wanderers can play some nice stuff on their day, and with the improved weather and Lansdowne's spacious feel, this should be to their liking. But City of Derry are one of the form horses in the division, with four wins out of five in January. A no-holdsbarred post-match inquest after the 50point mauling by Galwegians sparked their new-found togetherness and their pack could be too rugged for the hosts.

Instonians v DLSP

That one-point defeat by Monkstown has undone much of DLSP's prior recovery work and seriously imperiled their status. Though not normally productive on their away sojourns, it could have given them a timely reminder and they look to have marginally more combativeness up front than Instonians.

Division Three

With only one guaranteed promotion place available to the divisional champions, today's clash between ever-improving UCD in second place and unbeaten leaders Portadown constitutes the game of the season in the lower flights so far. Victory for Portadown, who've been recording much the more commanding wins, would surely leave UCD with only the play-offs as a viable target. Ballynahinch, still very much in the hunt despite their sole one-point defeat by UCD and who travel to Portadown next week, should, at home to Suttonians, avail of their rivals' clash.