All Ireland League Preview

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

Shannon and UL Bohemian get proceedings underway in Division 1B at Thomond Park on Friday evening. Shannon have slipped to second following their 15-15 draw with Banbridge, while UL Bohemian have climbed out of the drop zone following their 34-10 victory over Old Belvedere on the 4G pitch at UL. Shannon will be looking to make it two wins out of two over their neighbours as they ran out 27-22 winners at the same venue in the corresponding fixture in October.

In Division 1A on Saturday, Young Munster and Cork Constitution lock horns at Tom Clifford Park. The Temple Hill side are second following their comprehensive victory over Dublin University last time out and Young Munster defeated St Mary’s College 38-26 in Dublin. This will be a tough assignment for the Limerick side, who won the corresponding fixture at Temple Hill on a 20-19 score line.

Garryowen have climbed up to fourth following back to back victories in which they ended Lansdowne’s unbeaten run and followed it up with a compressive home win over Dublin University. They travel to the capital to take on struggling UCD who they defeated 27-20 at Dooradoyle.

The two Cork sides in Division 1B are away to Dublin opposition.

UCC have climbed into the top four following their 58-12 home win over Ballymena and this weekend they travel to take on Old Wesley against whom they recorded 31-27 home win in October.

Bottom side Dolphin will have their work cut out as they travel to Anglesea Road to take on Old Belvedere by whom they were defeated 38-10 on Leeside.

Second-placed Highfield travel to Galway to take on Corinthians, who are propping up the table in Division 2A and Highfield, will be expected to make it two wins out of two over the Galway side.

Fourth-placed Cashel travel to County Wicklow to take on Greystones, who are hovering above the drop zone. The Tipperary side ran out 20-18 winners when these sides met at the Spafield.

Third-placed Nenagh Ormond will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to maintain their promotion challenge as they welcome fifth-placed City of Armagh, against whom they recorded a 38-32 away win, to North Tipperary.

Division 2B leaders Old Crescent, who are now the only unbeaten side across all five divisions, are at home to bottom side City of Derry. The Limerick side recorded a comprehensive 54-21 victory when these sides met on Foyleside and they will also be expected to claim all points on offer on home turf.

Sunday’s Well take on fellow strugglers Skerries at Irish Independent Park, with the Leesiders going into the tie on the back of successive victories over Navan and Belfast Harlequins. They will be looking to take another step closer to safety as they aim to avenge October’s 22-7 defeat in County Dublin.

Thomond, who have slipped to second in Division 2C, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in their bid to make a quick return to Division 2B as they aim to make life difficult for Midleton who they defeated 28-23 at Towns Park. The East Cork side have climbed up to seventh place following successive victories over Sligo and Tullamore.

Bruff, who are fifth, travel to Killiney to take on Seapoint, who are eighth. The County Limerick side ran out 10-8 winners when these sides met at Kilballyowen Park and are coming off the back of a 10-10 home draw against Bangor, while Seapoint were defeated 12-0 by Omagh in County Tyrone.