Six games, all at 10:30 on Sunday. Here are the previews:
Marley Park, 10:30
A tough opener for BSJ at home against a side who were one of the stories of last year's championship, winning promotion to SHC1. The Isles will be without Ollie Gaffney on county duty but they have enough about them to be competitive regardless. BSJ have good young players coming through and will want to make home advantage count, but the Isles should have too much on the day.
ResDubs Tip - Despite ranking them 2 and 9th, i'm not sure there will be much in this a couple of scores either way? draw?
Sancta Maria, 10:30
One of the more intriguing games of the round. Boden Bs reached the SHC2 final last year and will have a point to prove after the relegation from AHL1, while Commercials arrive with serious momentum off the back of winning the PIHC. Neither side will want to drop points this early. Boden Bs at home gives them an edge, but Commercials are no pushover and this could go either way.
ResDubs Tip - Another interesting one - Commercials by 4
St Annes Park, 10:30
Two of the more established AHL2 sides going head to head in what should be a competitive enough game. Davis finished above Clontarf in the league last year and had a tighter championship, but Clontarf at home is always a different proposition. A decent barometer of where both clubs are heading into the new season.
ResDubs Tip - TD by 3
Lawless Park, 10:30
On paper this looks like one of the more evenly matched games of the round, two sides who will both be looking nervously at the relegation places this year. Fingallians will be without Darragh Power which is a real blow, while Mearnog showed in the championship they can cause problems for good teams. Could go either way, and both sides will know how important an early win would be.
ResDubs Tip - Draw
Martin Savage Park, 10:30
OPER come down from AHL1 looking to regroup, and while the potential return of Cian Boland from Australia is an exciting prospect, this is a tough opening fixture against our top ranked side. Raheny with Liam Dunne back and firing will be a real handful for anyone in this division. OPER have good players and will be determined to show they belong, but Raheny should have enough to take this one.
ResDubs Tip - Raheny by 4
Broomfield, 10:30
A fascinating first outing for Naomh Olaf at this level, coming up against a Syls side who will be hurting after losing the PIHC final to Commercials. Syls at home will be determined to get off to a winning start and make a statement. Olaf weren't far off in the PIHC semi-final against Syls in the championship, so they'll know what to expect, but Syls should edge this one.
ResDubs Tip - Syls by 4
--
Don't agree with our comments or predictions? Then join in the conversation below! 😃
----
Don't agree with our comments or predictions? Then join in the conversation on the ResDubs Forum here 😃
