Senior & Junior Weekend Preview

The All Ireland Leagues continue with a full programme of games across all divisions as well as the Women’s All Ireland League.

Division 1A leaders UCC travel to Limerick to take on Young Munster following maximum point victories over Dublin University and Ballynahinch in their first two games. The Limerick side have claimed losing bonus points from their two games to date against Terenure College and Clontarf.

Defending champions Cork Constitution, who are third, will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run as they welcome Lansdowne to Temple Hill. The Lilywhites have made it two wins from two while Lansdowne claimed a losing bonus point against Garryowen at Dooradoyle last time out.

Garryowen, following their narrow one-point home win over Lansdowne, travel to the Capital to take on last season’s semi-finalists Dublin University, who are propping up the table on zero points.

Cork Con host Lansdowne at Temple Hill (Photo: Inpho). 

Highfield who are in pole position in Division 1B will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run as they entertain Naas, who are on two losing bonus points.

Shannon have climbed up to fifth following their maximum point win over Malone in Belfast and they entertain struggling Navan at Thomond Park, with the County Meath side in ninth place with one losing bonus point to their credit.

Division 2A leaders Old Crescent, who have maximum points from their first two games against UL Bohemian and Dolphin, travel to the Premier County to take on Cashel. The Tipperary side are sixth following their 18-12 defeat by MU Barnhall in County Kildare, from which they claimed a losing bonus point.

Fourth-placed Nenagh Ormond travel to County Kildare to take on MU Barnhall, who are third at Parsonstown. The North Tipperary side recorded a win over Rainey Old Boys at New Ormond Park on the opening day of the season and followed that up with a 26-26 draw with Ballymena in County Antrim.

Two sides at the foot of the table go in search of their first points as Dolphin welcome unbeaten Queen’s University to Irish Independent Park and UL Bohemian host Rainey Old Boys at 4G UL.

The game of the day in Division 2C is the meeting of Midleton and Bruff at the Towns Park, with both sides having missed out on promotion last season. The County Limerick side are in pole position following their 31-24 maximum point home win over Enniscorthy last time out. Midleton recorded their first win of the campaign against Bangor from which they claimed maximum points on home turf, after their opening day defeat by Enniscorthy in County Wexford.

Clonmel face a tricky task as they travel to County Down to take on Bangor at Upritchard Park. The South Tipperary side drew their opener against Omagh and claimed a losing bonus point against Sunday’s well last time out and are currently second from bottom.

Sunday’s Well travel to the Faithful County to take on Tullamore at Spollanstown. The Leesiders came from behind to record their first win against Clonmel at Irish Independent Park last time out, while the County Offaly side are propping up the table on three points.

On Sunday, UL Bohemian lock horns with Blackrock College at 4G UL in their top of the table clash in the Women’s All Ireland League. Both sides go into the tie on the back of comprehensive victories in their respective openers against Malone and Galwegians.

UL Bohs’ welcome Blackrock College to UL (Photo: Inpho). 

The three Munster Junior divisional knock-out completions get underway and the McElligott Cup final is also down for decision in Kerry.

On Thursday evening, Bandon and Clonakilty get the show on the road in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup at Old Chapel. The winners will be rewarded with a home quarter final tie against St Senan’s or Kilfeacle, who meet in the Banner County on Sunday.

Thomond host Newcastle West at Liam Fitzgerald Park on Saturday evening, with the winners away to holders Richmond or Galbally, who meet at Richmond Park on Sunday.

Clanwilliam take on Waterpark in Tipperary Town and the winners will be at home to Crosshaven.

Abbeyfeale lock horns with St Mary’s in West Limerick and the winners will be at home to Skibbereen or Mallow, who meet in West Cork.

In the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield, there is a North Cork derby between Kanturk and Fermoy at the Duhallow venue and the winners will have a home quarter-final tie against Dungarvan.

Ballincollig are in Challenge Shield action (Photo: David Ribeiro / M. Lee Media). 

Ballincollig welcome Fethard to Tanner Park and the winners will be at home to Thurles.

Castleisland welcome Old Christians to the Kingdom, with Kinsale awaiting the winners at the South Cork venue in the last eight.

Muskerry entertain Tralee and the winners will be at home to Cobh Pirates.

There are two first round ties in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup down for decision.

Douglas-Carrigaline go head to head with Waterford City and the winners will be at home to Mitchelstown in the quarter-finals.

Ennis welcome Chorca Dhuibhne to County Clare and the winners will be rewarded with a home tie against Dunmanway.

In Kerry, Killorglin and Killarney contest the McElligott Cup decider in Killorglin.