AIL Preview Week Ending 9th October

Another busy weekend in the All Ireland League as another series of games are down for decision including two local derby ties.

It all starts on Friday evening at Thomond Park when Garryowen travel across the city to face Shannon at Thomond Park. Both these sides picked up losing bonus points last week and will not want to be at the end of another defeat this time out. It should be very close with kickers likely to decide the outcome.

Defending champions Cork Constitution are away in Dublin for the second successive week when they travel to face Old Belvedere. The Anglesea Road side caused an upset last week with that surprising away win over St. Mary’s College. Con’ collected maximum points from their trip to Blackrock and will be confident of recording another away victory.

Dolphin will not know until before kick off if James Coughlan will be available to them but his inclusion in the Musgrave Park side seems to inspire his team mates. Coughlan played his 100^thAll Ireland League and Cup game last weekend. They are at home to Blackrock College and are quite capable of recoding their second win.

Young Munsterboosted by their win at Dooradoyle last week can continue their good start to the season with a home victory St. Mary’s College.

In Division 1B U.C.C. will hope to follow up last week’s excellent home win over Dungannon with a win against Lansdowne on the back pitch in the Aviva Stadium. Both these sides won promotion last season and Lansdowne will not want to lose for a second successive week after their 22-13 defeat by Buccaneers.

Bruff’s recent good run came to halt at Clontarf last week and they welcome Buccaneers to Kilballyowen Park and will hope to pick up the points.

U.L. Bohemianafter their disappointing one point defeat at home to Galwegians last week face a difficult test away to Dungannon and will have it all to do to get something from this tie.

Old Crescent boosted by a fine performance at home to Clonakilty last week face a daunting task away to Ballymena. The Ulster side picked up maximum points last week away to Midleton and Ballymena will fancy their chances of recording their second win as they bid for a quick return to the top division.

Thomond and Midleton meet at Liam Fitzgerald Park and both will want to get points on the board. Thomond lost away to Belfast Harlequins last week, while a late converted try denied Midleton a bonus point against Ballymena. The Limerick venue is not an easy place to pick up points but recent performances suggest that the visitors could return home with something from this encounter.

Clonakilty are at home to Corinthians and they will hope to bounce back after last week’s poor display in Limerick. If they have a full squad to pick from they should collect the points.

In Division Three Nenagh Ormond travel to Instonians after their impressive performance last week against Highfield and could make it two wins out of two.

Sunday’s Well will not find things as easy this week as they did last week against Greystones when they travel to play Navan.

Highfield will hope to get back to winning ways with a home victory over Ards after last week’s disappointing display against Nenagh.

FIXTURES:

FRIDAY 8th OCTOBER

All Ireland League Division 1A:Shannonv Garryowen,Thomond Park,7.30;

SATURDAY 9th OCTOBER

All Ireland League:

Division 1A:Dolphinv Blackrock College,Musgrave Park,2.30;

Old Belvedere v Cork Constitution,Anglesea Road,3.30;

Young Munster v St. Mary's College,Clifford Park,2.30;

Division 1B:Bruff v Buccaneers,Kilballyowen Park,2.30;

Dungannon v U.L. Bohemian,Stevenson Park,2.30;

Galwegians v Clontarf,Crowley Park,2.30;

Lansdowne v U.C.C.,Aviva Stadium,3.15;

Division 2:Ballymena v Old Crescent,Eaton Park,2.30;

Ballynahinch v Terenure College,Ballymacarn Park,2.30;

Bective Rangers v Old Wesley,Donnybrook,2.30;

Clonakiltyv Corinthians,The Vale,2.30;

D.L.S.P. v Belfast Harlequins,Kirwan Park,2.30;

Malone v Dublin University,Gibson Park,2.30;

QueensUniversityv U.C.D.,Dub Lane,2.30;

Thomondv Midleton,Fitzgerald Park,2.30;

Division 3:Banbridge v Connemara,Rifle Park,2.30;

City of Derry v Suttonians,Judges Road,2.30;

Greystones v NUIM Barnhall,Dr. Hickey Park,2.30;

Highfieldv Ards,Woodleigh Park,2.30;

Instonians v Nenagh Ormond,Shaws Bridge,2.30;

Naas v Rainey Old Boys,Fournaughts,2.30;

Navan v Sunday's Well,Balreask,2.30;