All Ireland League Preview

The final round of group games across all five divisions of the All Ireland League will take place this Saturday.

The three Munster sides in Division 1A complete their campaigns against Dublin opposition.

The game of the day sees champions of the last two seasons Clontarf and Cork Constitution going head to head at Castle Avenue.

These sides contested the last two deciders with the honours evenly shared. Defending champions Cork Constitution have booked their place in the semi-finals following their 30-27 home win over Terenure last time out and they opened the current campaign with a 30-18 home win over Clontarf.

Fourth-placed Garryowen will be looking to make the most of home advantage count if they are to grind out a maximum point home win and avenge September’s opening day defeat by struggling St Mary’s College in a bid to qualify for the semi-finals.

UCD host Young Munster in a mid-table clash. The Dublin Students ran out 39-20 winners when these sides met in Limerick.

Promotion chasing Shannon and UCC go head to head in the game of the day in Division 1B at Thomond Park. The Limerick side have reclaimed pole position following their 12-7 away win over Old Belvedere, while the Students already assured of their place in the play-offs after their 32-31 home win over fellow promotion chasers Banbridge.

Shannon hold a one-point lead over Ballynahinch could clinch the title and automatic promotion with a bonus point win and they will also be looking to make it two wins out of two over UCC.

Struggling UL Bohemian will have their work cut out as they travel to Country Down to take on Banbridge. The Limerick side were defeated 20-13 when these sides met at the 4G Pitch at the UL Arena and they are one point behind Old Wesley.

Relegated Dolphin travel to County Kildare to take on Naas, by whom they were defeated 30-20 in September’s opener on Leeside.

In Division 2A, second-placed Highfield are away to struggling Blackrock College who they defeated 35-19 on the opening day of the campaign at Woodleigh Park. The Leesiders recorded a 26-24 home win over leaders Malone by whom they trail by three points.

The Belfast side are at home to fourth-placed Nenagh Ormond, who are five points ahead of fifth-placed City of Armagh. Malone ran out 37-7 winners on their opening day visit to North Tipperary.

Cashel have overtaken their Premier County neighbours into third place following their 27-24 home win over Blackrock College. They travel to Galway to take on struggling Galwegians by whom they were defeated 26-19 at the Spafield in September.

Division 2B champions Old Crescent host second-placed Rainey Old Boys and they will be looking to complete their campaign on a winning note following their 36-36 draw with NUIM Barnhall in County Kildare.

Sunday’s Well are coming off the back of six successive wins and they welcome third-placed NUMI Barnhall by whom they were defeated 11-6 on the opening day of the campaign to Irish Independent Park.

The game of the day in Division 2C sees second-placed Thomond travelling to the Yeats County to complete their programme against leaders Sligo at Hamilton Park in Strandhill. Both sides are coming off the back of victories over Malahide and Tullamore respectively, with Sligo running out 13-12 winners when these sides met in Limerick.

Bruff who are four points above the drop zone will be looking to take another step closer to safety as they travel to County Tyrone to take on fourth-placed Omagh. Bruff were narrowly defeated 14-13 when these sides met at Kilballyowen Park and they will be looking to build on their 19-6 home win over bottom side Bective Rangers.

Fifth-placed Midleton, who are four points adrift of a play-off place, travel to Killiney to take on Seapoint who they defeated 20-10 in East Cork in September.