Preview | Busy Weekend Of Domestic Rugby Across The Province

There is no shortage of domestic rugby this weekend with the Men’s All Ireland League, Women’s Senior Cup, Munster Junior League and the final of  the McInerney Cup all taking place.

Men’s All Ireland League

It is the third round of action in the All Ireland League this weekend before a break on the Bank Holiday weekend.

On Friday evening in Division 2A of the All Ireland League, UL Bohemian, who are propping up the table, will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they go in search of their first points against Cashel at the UL Arena. The Tipperary side are 7th on three points and are seeking their first win.

In Division 1A, Garryowen who recorded two maximum-point wins in their games to date, welcome bottom side UCD, who are on zero points to Dooradoyle.

Young Munster, who are second with two wins from two, will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run as they welcome fifth-placed Terenure College to Tom Clifford Park.

Cork Constitution, who have claimed two losing bonus points from narrow defeats against Lansdowne and Young Munster, face a tricky task as they travel to the Capital to take on unbeaten Clontarf at Castle Avenue. The Lilywhites are seeking their first win, while Clontarf go into the tie on the back of a 23-3 away win over Ballynahinch.

UCC face a tough assignment as they go in search of their first points against Lansdowne at the Mardyke, with the Dublin side going into the tie on the back of a maximum-point 39-26 away win over Terenure College.

Division 1B leaders Highfield, who recorded a maximum-point 42-17 away win over Navan, will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run as they go head to head with fifth-placed Naas at Woodleigh Park.

Shannon, who are fourth following their maximum-point 32-10 home win over Banbridge, will have their work cut out as they travel to the Palace Grounds to take on second-placed City of Armagh, who also recorded a 32-18 bonus point victory last time out, against Old Belvedere.

The game of the day in Division 2A sees Dolphin, who are third, make the long trip north to take on Queen’s University in Belfast. The Belfast Students go into the tie on the back of two maximum point victories, while Dolphin, who are also unbeaten claimed a bonus point from their 56-13 home win over Rainey Old Boys.

Old Crescent, who are second from bottom following their 40-21 home defeat by leaders Queen’s University, are in action against Ulster opposition for the third successive weekend. This time they travel to County Antrim to take on Ballymena, who are fifth and claimed all points on offer from their 29-22 home win over Buccaneers.

Nenagh Ormond, who are hovering above the drop zone on two points, travel to Athlone to take on fourth-placed Buccaneers, who go into the tie on the back of a 29-22 away defeat by Ballymena, from which they claimed a losing bonus point.

In Division 2C, Midleton face a tricky task following their 14-6 home win over Sunday’s Well, as they travel to County Down to take on second-placed Bangor, who recorded a maximum point 29-13 away win over Clonmel.

Bruff and Clonmel lock horns in a basement clash at Kilballyowen Park. The County Limerick side claimed their only point to date from their narrow 18-17 home defeat by Skerries last time out. Clonmel go into the tie on the back of a 29-13 away defeat by Bangor, while their only points came from their 17-17 draw against Sunday’s Well at Musgrave Park on the opening day of the campaign.

Sunday’s Well, who were defeated 14-6 by Midleton in East Cork last time out, will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they go in search of their first win. They entertain bottom side City of Derry, who were defeated 48-10 by Enniscorthy at Judge’s Road, after claiming a losing bonus point from their opening day defeat by Tullamore in County Offaly. Sunday’s Well are sixth on two points, claimed from their opening day 17-17 draw with Clonmel in South Tipperary.

Provincial Preview

Action gets underway in the Munster Women’s Senior Cup this weekend as the Munster Junior League continue with a full series of games across all five conferences and the McInerney Cup final is down for decision in North Munster.

The Munster Women’s Senior Cup kicks off on Saturday as Skibbereen welcome Shannon-LIT to the Carbery Showgrounds.

There are three ties down for decision on Sunday.

Ballincollig entertain UL Bohemian at Tanner Park, Dolphin go head to head with Kerry at Musgrave Park and Waterpark lock horns with Tipperary at Ballinakill.

A Kerry derby in Conference E gets proceedings underway in the Munster Junior League as Castleisland entertain Chorca Dhuibhne on Saturday. Castleisland claimed maximum points from their opener in West Cork, where they defeated Dunmanway 36-17, while this game is the West Kerry Gaeltacht side’s opener.

On Sunday, the game of the day in Conference A is the top of the table clash between Kilfeacle and Richmond in West Tipperary. Both sides began the campaign with maximum point victories as Kilfeacle ran out 34-30 away winners over St Senan’s while the Limerick side defeated Clanwilliam 34-17 at Richmond Park.

Abbeyfeale, who claimed all points on offer from their 31-3 home win over Galbally, make the short trip to take on near neighbours Newcastle West, who are seeking their first points following their opening day defeat by Thomond at Liam Fitzgerald Park.

Clanwilliam face a tricky task as they go in search of their first points following their opening day defeat by Richmond, as they welcome Thomond to Tipperary Town.

Galbally, who are also on zero points, entertain St Senan’s who claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 34-30 defeat by Kilfeacle at Jimmy Slattery Park.

There are three Cork derbies in Conference B.

Muskerry, who recorded a 25-18 home win over Mallow, travel to the Vale to take on Clonakilty, who are seeking their first points following their 17-8 defeat by Waterpark at Ballinakill.

Crosshaven are also on five points following their 31-16 home win over Skibbereen are away to Old Christians, who claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 23-22 defeat by Bandon in West Cork.

Bandon are away to Mallow, who returned home with a bonus point from their 25-18 defeat by Muskerry at Ballyanly.

Waterpark are in action against West Cork opposition for the second successive weekend as they travel to Skibbereen. Waterpark ran out 17-8 away winners over Clonakilty in their opener at the Vale, while Skibbereen are seeking their first points, following their 31-16 defeat by Crosshaven at Myrtleville Cross.

Thurles and Dungarvan, who claimed maximum points from their respective openers lock horns in the game of the day at the Mid Tipperary venue in Conference C. Thurles put up 26 points without reply against Waterford City on Suirside, while the West Waterford side opened their account with a 27-7 home win over Fethard.

St Mary’s who played out a 23-23 draw with Ennis in the Banner County, welcome Mitchelstown, who begin their campaign, to Grove Island.

Scariff host Waterford City in their first game and Fethard welcome Ennis to South Tipperary.

There are two Rebel County derbies in Conference D.

Kanturk, who ran out 39-11 home winners over Fermoy in their opener, face into their second successive North Cork derby as they make the short trip too Smith’s Road to take on Charleville. Charleville claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 13-11 defeat by Kinsale in South Cork.

Fermoy will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they go in search of their first points against Cobh Pirates at the Showgrounds. The Pirates began their campaign with a narrow 14-10 home win over Killorglin.

Ballincollig, who claimed maximum points from their 26-7 home win over Tralee, travel to the Kingdom to take on Killorglin.

Tralee go in search of their first points as they host Kinsale.

In Conference E, Douglas and Youghal begin their campaigns with home ties against Bantry Bay and Dunmanway respectively.

Bantry Bay claimed a bonus point for scoring four tries in their 37-29 away defeat against Killarney, while Dunmanway are seeking their first points following their 36-17 home defeat by Castleisland.

The McInerney Cup decider between Presentation and Richmond takes place on Saturday at Liam Fitzgerald Park.