Galwegians’ second-place finish in AIL Division 2C means we still have a shot at promotion to Division 2B through the play-offs. 

Playoff arrangements

The teams that go through to the playoffs for 2B are the second, third and fourth teams of 2C and the ninth-placed finisher of 2B. These teams are Galwegians, Bruff, Enniscorthy and Dolphin respectively.

Playoff semi-final on Sat Apr 20th

The AIL 2C playoff semi-finals taking place on April 20 semi-finals are:

  • Dolphin vs Enniscorthy 
  • Galwegians vs Bruff

Playoff final on Sat Apr 27th

The winners of each semi-final will play in the final on April 27th.

The highest-ranked team across the two divisions will play at home. For example, if Dolphin wins the semi-final then they will play the final at home, whereas if Enniscorthy wins then they will play away. 

Variations in regulations for play-offs

Play-offs have some alterations to the standard AIL regulations

Both teams can use up to eight replacements for the games. Three of the replacements must be front-row forwards with two props and a hooker. 

If the game is tied at full-time, there will be extra time with two 10-minute periods to decide the winner. If the game is still tied after extra time, the winner will be determined by the side who scored the most tries. If the number of tries scored is equal, it will be determined by who scored the first try. If no tries were scored, whoever scored first will win. If miraculously there was not a single score, then penalties will decide the winner!

Quick look at the playoff semi finalists

Bruff

Our semi-final opponents will be Bruff, who Galwegians have failed to beat in the previous three meetings between the two sides. Indeed, it was Bruff that saw us relegated us to Division 2C last season after a 24-12 defeat at home.

Galwegians are yet to exact their revenge as Bruff then launched two extraordinary comebacks over us this season. First at home when were 26-0 at halftime only to concede a last-minute try to force a 26-26 draw. The visit to county Limerick ended similarly, with Galwegians leading 30-10 with 20 minutes to go only to see a late penalty kick seal the win for Bruff.

The Blues will be desperate to settle the score and get the win when it matters most.

Enniscorthy

If we overcome Bruff and make it to the final, we will have two potential opponents standing in our way. The first of these is a familiar foe, Enniscorthy. Both Galwegians and Enniscorthy went down to 2C together last season so both will be desperate to make their return up the divisions immediately.

It’s 2-2 between the two sides over the last two seasons, and a win apiece this year. Galwegians got the first win over the Wexford side with a 22-13 win at home before a narrow 25-20 loss in the new year.

Enniscorthy looked set to be our semi-final opponents in the play-offs but six defeats in the last ten games saw them slump to fourth after losing against Bruff in the penultimate round of the season. They will need to win twice away from home if they want to bounce back to 2B.

Dolphin

There was a four-way fight for relegation in Division 2B between Belfast Harlequins, Dolphin, Skerries and Malahide on the final day of the season. In the end, it was Belfast Harlequins that was automatically relegated to 2C and Dolphin who have the chance to fight to remain in 2B.

Dolphin are looking to prevent back-to-back relegations after falling from 2A to 2B last year.

A rocky start to their season saw them win just two of the opening nine games. Despite winning just five games all season, they accumulated ten bonus points, many from losing by very tight margins.

A win against Dungannon on the final day means they live to fight another day and will be no pushovers as they seek to ensure safety in Division 2B.

C’mon the Blues

The semi-finals are just over a week away. Make sure you support the Blues by coming down to Crowley Park on Saturday April 20th. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.