All Ireland League Preview

The All Ireland League resumes with a full programme of games across all five divisions following the recent international break.

Proceedings get underway on Friday night with two Munster derbies in Division 2A.

Fourth-placed UL Bohemian entertain second-placed Cashel on the 4G Pitch at the UL Arena.

Both sides go into the tie on the back of victories over Dolphin and Queen’s University respectively. The Tipperary side ran out 24-20 winners in the corresponding fixture in November.

Nenagh Ormond face a tough assignment following their 40-22 defeat by Highfield on Leeside as they welcome Old Crescent to North Tipperary. The Limerick side ran out 49-17 home winners over Blackrock College last time out and they also emerged victorious against Nenagh Ormond at Rosbrien.

The five Munster sides in Division 1A are in action against Dublin opposition.

Leaders Cork Constitution welcome third-placed Clontarf to Temple Hill. The Lilywhites ran out 16-13 winners when these sides met at Castle Avenue and they also go into the tie on the back of a 31-5 away win over Young Munster.

UCC, who have climbed out of the drop zone following their surprise 25-22 home win over defending champions Lansdowne, travel to the Capital to take on Dublin University at College Park. The corresponding fixture on Leeside was also UCC’s first win in the top flight, while the Dublin side recorded a 29-21 home win over Clontarf last time out.

Fourth-placed Garryowen will be looking to make it two wins out of two as they welcome bottom side Terenure College against whom they recorded a narrow 17-16 victory at Lakelands Park to Dooradoyle.

Sixth-placed Shannon take on defending champions Lansdowne, who are second at the Aviva Stadium. Shannon were defeated 28-7 by Garryowen at Thomond Park and the Dublin side, who won the corresponding fixture 32-15 in Limerick, narrowly lost on Leeside to UCC on a 25-22 score line.

Young Munster are away to UCD, with whom they played out a 34-34 draw at Tom Clifford Park. UCD, who are two places above the drop zone, were defeated 49-21 by bottom side Terenure College last time out. The Limerick side, who are second form bottom, were defeated 31-5 by Cork Constitution on home soil.

Divison 2A leaders Highfield travel to Galway to take on bottom side Galwegians against whom they ran out 40-19 winners on Leeside.

Dolphin travel to the Capital to take on Blackrock College in a basement clash at Stradbrook. The Leesiders, who are hovering above the drop zone, ran out 20-16 winners when these sides met in Cork.

Sunday’s Well are now propping up Division 2B following their seventh successive defeat by Rainey Old Boys in Magherafelt. This weekend they take on second-placed Greystones at Irish Independent Park, by whom they were defeated 53-17 when these sides met in County Wicklow.

The game of the day in Division 2C sees second-placed Midleton taking on leaders Ballina at Towns Park. Eight points separate these sides with the East Cork going into the tie on the back of a narrow 19-18 defeat by City of Derry on Foyleside, from which they claimed a losing bonus point. The North Mayo side defeated Bangor 29-20 in County Down and they defeated Midleton 29-20 in the corresponding fixture.

Third-placed Bruff make the long trip north to take on fourth-placed Omagh Academicals, by whom they were defeated 23-17 at Kilballyowen Park.

Struggling Thomond, who recorded a valuable 15-11 away win over Tullamore last time out, welcome City of Derry to Liam Fitzgerald Park, with the Limerick side looking to make the most of home advantage in a bid to avenge December’s 19-13 defeat on Foyleside.