AIL & Munster Junior League Weekend Preview

The All Ireland League gets underway this weekend with a full series of games across all five divisions and there is also a full programme of games in the Munster Junior League.

See the full list of fixtures at all levels across the province here.

UL Bohemian and Old Crescent get the show on the road in Division 2A on Friday evening as they go head to head in a Limerick derby on the 4G pitch in UL, with both sides having finished in mid-table last season.

On Saturday in Division 1A, defending Champions Cork Constitution welcome Garryowen to Temple Hill for the second time in three weeks. The most recent meeting of these sides was in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup quarter-final in which the Leesiders recorded a narrow 9-7 win.

UCC, who secured their top flight status after defeating Old Wesley in a play-off, begin their campaign with a tough assignment as they travel to the capital to take on last season’s semi-finalists, Dublin University.

Young Munster will have their work cut out as they entertain last season’s finalists Clontarf.

The two Munster sides in Division 1B begin their respective campaign with home ties. Highfield, who were promoted from Division 2A as champions, open their account with a home tie against Malone, while Shannon, who were relegated after finishing bottom of Division 1A, take on Old Belvedere at Thomond Park.

Dolphin welcome Cashel, who missed out on promotion to Division 1B following their play-off final defeat by Navan, to Irish Independent Park in Division 2A and Nenagh Ormond welcome newly-promoted Rainey Old Boys to North Tipperary.

In Division 2C, Clonmel mark their debut with a home meeting against Omagh Academicals.

Midleton travel to County Wexford to take on Enniscorthy, with the Leinster side also making their AIL debut.

Sunday’s Well make the long trip to County Down to take on Bangor and Bruff are away to City of Derry.

Two former AIL sides, Thomond and Richmond, lock horns in a Limerick City derby in Division One of the Munster Junior League. Thomond were defeated by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary in their opener, while Richmond will be looking to build on their maximum point home win over Waterpark.

Abbeyfeale welcome Mallow to West Limerick, with both sides going into the tie on the back of victories over Galbally and Clanwilliam in their respective openers.

Former champions Bandon, who claimed a losing bonus point from their opening day defeat by West Cork neighbours Clonakilty, will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they welcome Kilfeacle to Old Chapel.

Last season’s runners-up, Newcastle West, are at home to Skibbereen and Clonakilty are away to Clanwilliam, who are seeking their first points.

St Senan’s and Galbally go in search of their first victories as both sides claimed losing bonus points from their respective openers against Skibbereen and Abbeyfeale.

Waterpark welcome Crosshaven to Ballinakill, with both sides coming off defeats last weekend.

There are three Cork derbies in Division Two. Charleville are in North Cork derby action for the second successive weekend as they entertain Fermoy at Smith’s Road. Charleville claimed a losing bonus point from their opener against Kanturk in Duhallow, while Fermoy ran out 16-8 home winners over Thurles.

Old Christians and Kinsale are also in derby action for the second successive weekend. The Rathcooney side, who ran out 26-22 home winners over Kinsale, are away to Muskerry, who ran in eight tries against Castleisland in their opener. Kinsale claimed a losing bonus point from their opening day defeat by Old Christians and they entertain Cobh Pirates, who are seeking their first points.

Ballincollig, who recorded a maximum-point home win over Fethard in their opener travel to West Waterford to take on Dungarvan, who recorded a surprise 19-7 away win over Cobh Pirates.

Thurles welcome Castleisland to the Premier County with both sides seeking their first points and Fethard host St Mary’s who ran out 30-3 winners over Tralee in their opener in Limerick. Tralee will be looking to make home advantage count in a bid to claim their first points as they entertain Kanturk.

In Division Three, table toppers Ennis who were the only maximum point winners on the opening day, should prove too strong for Killarney as these sides go head to head at the Clare venue.

Youghal, who recorded a narrow 15-13 win over Mitchelstown, travel to the Banner County to take on Scariff in a game which sees the East Clare side begin their campaign.

Two other sides are also opening their accounts as Waterford City, who were relegated from Division Two, welcome Bantry Bay to Suirside and Killorglin are away to Mitchelstown.

Elsewhere, Dunmanway and Douglas-Carrigaline go in search of their first points in West Cork.