Weekend Rugby Preview

Two of Munster’s oldest rivals meet this weekend in the First Division of the AIL, when Garryowen travel to Temple Hill to take on Cork Constitution.

Two of Munster’s oldest rivals meet this weekend in the First Division of the AIL, when Garryowen travel to Temple Hill to take on Cork Constitution.

The sides met earlier in the season in the semi-final of the Munster Club League at Dooradoyle, where victory went to the Cork side 31-10. Garryowen have not a good record against their opponents, but did win last season’s encounter 34-13. Currently Constitution are unbeaten this season and are in second place on fifteen points, a point behind leaders Ballymena.

Garryowen have only accumulated seven points from their four games and another defeat could see them slip into relegation trouble. Shannon in third place will fancy their chances of picking up all five points from their home encounter against pointless Galwegians. Dolphin travel to Athlone to face Buccaneers in a confident mood of adding to their points total. In Division Two second placed Young Munster travel to Cork to face Sunday’s Well, who slipped to the foot of the table after their big defeat by UL Bohemian last time out and the Cookies should come away with the points.

U.C.C who have improved since their defeat on the opening day face Bective Rangers at the Mardyke. The Students have lost their last three encounters to the Dublin side by big margins and will want to make amends this time. Old Crescent face a difficult tie away to third placed Barnhall and another defeat could see their hopes of promotion disappear for another season. Thomond struggling to move away from the danger zone face leader’s Old Belvedere. Luck has not been kind to the Limerick side this season and a bit of luck could see them cause a surprise.

Midleton after three successive defeats travel to Kilternan to play D.L.S.P., who are still searching for their first win. Highfield travel to Greystones and will have to be at their best, to come home with the points to stay in a challenging position in the Third Division, while Clonakilty make the long journey to Derry and could cause an upset. The two semi-finals of the Heineken Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup are to be decided this weekend, with both Nenagh Ormond and Bruff hot favourites to advance to the decider and a repeat of last season’s classic encounter.

Nenagh Ormond face Cashel at Clifford Park, kick off 2.15 (note time and change of venue), while Bruff and Skibbereen meet at Musgrave Park, kick off 2.00 It is the second last series of games in the first phase of Division One of the Under 20 League. In Section “A” Bruff with maximum points from their previous five encounters face third placed UL Bohemian, while second place Cork Constitution travel to Galway to take on Corinthians who occupy fourth spot. With these sides likely to qualify for the top section in phase two, these games will also count in that section.

Equally games between sides contesting the lower section in phase two, will be important as the top division will be reduced to twelve sides next season. In the other section joint leader’s Sunday’s Well will hope to preserve their unbeaten run with an away victory over Highfield, while U.C.C. should hold on to top spot with an away victory over Old Crescent. Garryowen travel to Buccaneers with a win vital to both sides after recent defeats.

AIB LEAGUE ROUND FIVE

AIB LEAGUE DIVISION ONE BALLYMENA v BLACKROCK COLLEGE BUCCANEERS v DOLPHIN CLONTARF v Co. CARLOW CORK CONSTITUTION v GARRYOWEN DUNGANNON v BELFAST HARLEQUINS LANSDOWNE v UCD SHANNON v GALWEGIANS

AIB LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

BARNHALL v OLD CRESCENT DUBLIN UNIVERSITY v BALLYNAHINCH DE LA SALLE PALMERSTON v MIDLETON SUNDAYS WELL v YOUNG MUNSTER TERENURE COLLEGE V MALONE THOMOND v OLD BELVEDERE UCC v BECTIVE RANGERS WATERPARK v UL-BOHEMIAN

AIB LEAGUE DIVISION THREE BALLINA v SUTTONIANS BANBRIDGE v SKERRIES CITY OF DERRY v CLONAKILTY CONNEMARA v ARDS CORINTHIANS v OLD WESLEY GREYSTONES v HIGHFIELD INSTONIANS v WANDERERS NAAS v QUB