All Ireland League Preview

The All Ireland League resumes this weekend with a full programme of games across all five divisions.

Defending champions Cork Constitution, who are third, travel to the Capital to take on seventh-placed UCD at Belfield in Division 1A. The Lilywhites ran out 18-5 winners when these sides met at Temple Hill and they face a tough assignment if they are to build on their recent home win against Lansdowne as UCD defeated St Mary’s 23-7 in a Dublin derby.
Garryowen, who are fourth on 43 points are away to former champions Clontarf, who are on 42 points in fifth place. Garryowen recorded comprehensive 51-17 victory when these sides met in Limerick and both sides are chasing a top four finish.
Young Munster will be expected to bounce back from their narrow defeat by Dublin University and claim all points on offer as they host bottom side Buccaneers. The Limerick side won the corresponding fixture 33-7 in Athlone.
In Division 1B, third-placed Shannon host Old Wesley, who are sixth, at Thomond Park. The Limerick side will be looking to get their promotion aspirations back on track with a maximum point win following their 26-22 defeat by UL Bohemian at the same venue over a month ago.
UL Bohemian, who are hovering above the drop zone travel to County Antrim to take on Ballymena in their basement clash, with both sides coming off the back of defeats by second-placed Banbridge. The Limerick side won September’s meeting on the 4G pitch at the UL Arena on a 36-13 score line.
Fourth-placed UCC travel to the Capital to take on Old Belvedere, who are fifth. Three points separate these sides and the Students face a tough assignment in a bid to make it two wins out of two in their quest for promotion.
Dolphin, who are propping up the table, are away to leaders Ballynahinch by whom they were defeated 33-16 on Leeside in September.
Highfield, who are second in Division 2A are away to sixth-placed Queen’s University, with the Woodleigh Park side looking to avenge September’s narrow 16-14 defeat by the Belfast Students.
The two Tipperary sides are also on the road in their respective promotion bids.
Cashel, who have climbed up to third following their 21-17 home win over Queen’s University, are away to Malone by whom they were defeated 18-16 at the Spafield.
Nenagh Ormond will be looking to bounce back from their 39-26 home defeat by City of Armagh as they travel to County Wicklow to take on struggling Greystones against whom they recorded a 28-19 home win in September.
Old Crescent, who are the only unbeaten side in the League will be crowned champions of Division 2B and will also secure automatic promotion if they make it two wins out of two over Dungannon, as they won the corresponding fixture 36-5.
Sunday’s Well will be looking to take another step closer to safety following their recent run of three successive wins, as they entertain fifth-placed Wanderers at Irish Independent Park. The Leesiders are hovering above the drop zone, 13 points clear of Belfast Harlequins and they will have their work cut out if they are to avenge September’s 42-16 defeat at the Aviva Stadium.
Division 2C leaders Thomond travel to Killiney to take on Seapoint and they will be looking to make it two wins out of two over the South Dublin side in their bid for a quick return to Division 2B.
Sixth-placed Bruff travel to the Yeats County to take on Sligo with whom they drew 20-20 at Kilballyowen Park in September.
Midleton, who are hovering above the drop zone, face a tricky task as they travel to County Down to take on Bangor, by whom they were defeated 18-5 in East Cork.