AIL Preview 23rd October

It is league action that dominates the Senior and Junior program this weekend,

After a break of a week the AIL resumes with games in all Divisions.

The big game of the weekend will be at Temple Hill when the only two sides in Division 1A clash with Cork Constitution hosting Young Munster. Con’ are ahead of their opponents by virtue of the bonus point they picked up on the opening day at Blackrock. Munster with wins over Garryowen and St. Mary’s College will be fired up for this tie but the home side’s experience could shade it in their favour.

Garryowen after two defeats will hope to collect their first win at home to Dolphin. The Musgrave Park side disappointed at losing at home to Blackrock last time out and know they must win this game if they are to be realistic contenders for honours.

Shannon travel to St. Mary’s College hoping to add to the Dublin side’s woes after losing their first two games.

In Division 1B U.L. Bohemians face a difficult test when they host Lansdowne at Thomond Park. U.L. lost their opening game at home to Galwegians but bounced back with an away win over Dungannon. Lansdowne ran up sixty one points against U.C.C. last time out and will be confident of getting something from this encounter.

U.C.C. will want to bounce back after that mauling in the Aviva Stadium when they play Bruff at the Mardyke. The Limerick side are pointless and are already three points behind the side above them. They will not want that gap to widen and could cause an upset.

In Division 2 Munster’s four representatives are all in the bottom half of the table. Midleton after a great win over Old Crescent last time out have a home tie against one of the joint leaders Malone. If the East Cork side can reproduce the form they showed at Rosbrien they could put an end to the Belfast side’s unbeaten run.

Old Crescent entertain Queens University and they will hope to inflict the third defeat of the season on the Belfast students.

Thomond in search of their first win are away to Terenure College who are bottom of the table and Clonakilty face a formidable task as they look for their first points away to high flying Ballynahinch.

In Division 3 it is second at home to third as Sunday’s Well host Seapoint at Musgrave Park. This game kicks off at 3.00 to allow the ‘Well members attend the funeral of their former President Billy Keating. This will be a big test for the home side as Seapoint have shown that they will make a strong bid for promotion.

Nenagh Ormond travel to Suttonians confident of recording a win against a side that has yet to win.

Highfield travel to Rainey Old Boys and they will have to get a win from this tie if they want to be challenging for a promotion place.

FIXTURES SATURDAY 23rd OCTOBER

All Ireland League:

Division 1A:Blackrock College v Old Belvedere,Stradbrook,2.30;

Cork Constitution v Young Munster,Temple Hill,2.30;

Garryowen v Dolphin,Dooradoyle,2.30;

St. Mary's College v Shannon,Templeville Road,2.30;

Division 1B:Clontarf v Buccaneers,Castle Avenue,2.30;

Galwegians v Dungannon,Crowley Park,2.30;

U.C.C. v Bruff,Mardyke,2.30;

U.L. Bohemian v Lansdowne,Annacotty,2.30;

Division 2:Ballynahinch v Clonakilty,Ballymacarn Park,2.30;

Bective Rangers v Ballymena,Donnybrook,2.30;

Belfast Harlequins v Dublin University,Deramore Park,2.30;

Corinthians v D.L.S.P.,Corinthian Park,2.30;

Midleton v Malone,Towns Park,2.30;

Old Crescent v Queens University,Rosbrien,2.30;

TerenureCollege v Thomond,Lakelands,2.30;

Division 3:Ards v Instonians,Hamilton Park,2.30;

NUIM Barnhall v Navan,Parsonstown,2.30;

City of Derry v Banbridge,Judges Road,2.30;

Connemara v Greystones,Monastery Field,2.30;

Rainey Old Boys v Highfield,Hatrick Park,2.30;

Sunday's Well v Seapoint,Musgrave Park,2.30;

Suttonians v Nenagh Ormond,Station Road,2.30;

Wanderers v Naas,Merrion Road,2.30;