All Ireland League Preview

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

Proceedings get underway in Limerick tonight as Young Munster and Garryowen lock horns in a local derby at Tom Clifford Park. Garryowen are fourth but level with Clontarf on 36 points and are aiming for a top four finish. The Sky Blues won the corresponding fixture 32-26 at Dooradoyle in November and they go into the tie on the back of a narrow 32-31 home win over bottom side Terenure College. Young Munster are second from bottom but they claimed two bonus point from their narrow 33-31 defeat by UCD in Dublin.

On Saturday, leaders Cork Constitution are at home to Dublin opposition for the second successive weekend. Following their 34-24 home win over Clontarf last time out, the Lilywhites entertain sixth-placed UCD against whom they ran out comprehensive 31-3 winners at Belfield in November.

UCC travel to the Capital for the second successive weekend. This time they take on Clontarf at Castle Avenue, following their narrow 31-29 defeat By Dublin University from which they claimed their fifth losing bonus point. The Leeside Students are hovering above the drop zone, while Clontarf, who ran out 37-22 winners in the corresponding fixture, are third.

Shannon, who are seventh, welcome fifth-placed Dublin University to Thomond Park. This will be a tough assignment for the Limerick side following their 43-15 defeat by Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium as the Dublin Students go into the tie on the back of a 31-29 win over UCC. Dublin University ran out 31-19 when these sides met at College Park.

Division 2A leaders Highfield, who hold a 12-point lead over Cashel, travel to the Royal County to take on third-placed Navan against whom they ran out 40-10 winners on Leeside. Highfield put up 66 points without reply agent Galwegians at Crowley Park last time out while Navan were defeated 26-7 by Queen’s University in Belfast.

Cashel will be looking to make the most of home advantage count against struggling Blackrock College as they aim to bounce back from their recent defeat by UL Bohemian in Limerick. The Tipperary side won the corresponding fixture at Stradbrook on a 22-8 score line, while Blackrock ran out 18-13 winners in their basement clash with Dolphin.

Fourth-placed UL Bohemian travel to Belfast to take on Queen’s University who they defeated 36-24 in November. Both sides go into the tie on the back of home wins over Cashel and Navan respectively.

Old Crescent, who are sixth are at home to bottom side Galwegians against whom they ran out 13-12 winners in Galway. The Limerick side ran out 9-7 winners over Nenagh Ormond in North Tipperary last time out while Galwegians lost to Highfield on a 66-0 score line at Crowley Park.

Dolphin, who are battling against a second successive relegation, entrain fellow strugglers Nenagh Ormond in their basement clash at Irish Independent Park. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats from which they claimed losing bonus points against Blackrock College and Old Crescent respectively, while the North Tipperary side won the corresponding fixture.

Sunday’s Well are propping up Division 2B following their eighth successive defeat by Greystones at Irish Independent Park. This weekend they travel to the Aviva Stadium to take on sixth-placed Wanderers by whom they were defeated 22-17 on Leeside.

Midleton, who are second in Division 2C, will be looking to make it two wins out of two against struggling Thomond at Towns Park. The East Cork side ran out 38-15 winners when these sides met in Limerick and they go into the tie on the back of a 17-10 home win over leaders Ballina. Thomond claimed a losing bonus point from their 16-13 defeat by City of Derry on Foyleside.

Third-placed Bruff welcome sixth-places Bangor against whom they ran out 15-10 winners in County Down to Kilballyowen Park, with both sides coming off the back of defeats by Omagh and Seapoint respectively.