Weekend Club Preview
30th December 2014 By Munster Rugby
2015 kicks off with a full programme of games in Division 1A and Division 1B of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League.
Dolphin who are rooted to the foot of Division 1A will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they aim to record their elusive first win of the campaign against 7th-placed Young Munster at Irish Independent Park.
Third-placed Cork Constitution travel to the Capital to take on the early pacesetters Tenure College at Lakelands Park, with both sides chasing a top four finish.
Shannon face a tricky task in Division 1B as they take on Galwegians at Crowley Park. The Galway side ran out 29-25 winners when these sides met at Thomond Park in September.
Third-placed Garryowen welcome Buccaneers to Dooradoyle and they will be aiming to avenge September’s 25-22 defeat in Athlone.
UL Bohemian entertain Dublin University at Thomond Park and they will be looking to make it two wins out of two as they defeated the Students 16-13 when these sides met at College Park.
The Munster Junior League resumes this weekend and the game of the day in Division 1 sees joint leaders Clonmel and Newcastle West going head to head at the South Tipperary venue in a game that could decide the destination of the league title.
Third-placed Clonakilty are at home to Galbally and Kilfeacle welcome Skibbereen to West Tipperary.
There is a Cork derby which sees Muskerry chasing a top four finish away to Old Christians at Rathcooney.
Cobh Pirates, who are hovering above the drop zone welcome St Senan’s to the Paddocks, where the Pirates will be aiming to grind out a valuable home win in a bid to preserve their top flight status.
Fellow strugglers Tralee welcome St Mary’s to O’Dowd Park in a repeat pairing of last season’s Junior Plate final, which was won by the Corbally side at Newcastle West. The Kingdom side will be aiming to record their first home win of the campaign, as their only victory so far was when they defeated Galbally 10-6 at the County Limerick venue in October.
Bottom side Kinsale, who are still without a win entertain Waterpark.
In Division 2, runaway leaders Bandon are at home to Waterford City and second-placed Clanwilliam will be expected to record an away win over struggling Killarney.
Thurles, who are in third place, will be aiming to keep their outside promotion hopes intact as they travel to Tanner Park to take on Ballincollig.
Fourth-placed Castleisland are away to Newport and there are two mid-table clashes between Mallow and Abbeyfeale at St Joseph’s Road and Presentation and Ennis at Rathuard.
Crosshaven and Youghal lock horns in a basement clash at the South Cork venue, with Youghal seeking their first win since they defeated Killarney 24-19 at the East Cork venue in October.
The only game in Division 3 is a North Cork derby between newly crowned Martin O’Sullivan Cup holders Charleville and Fermoy at Smith’s Road. Charleville are third on 14 points, six points behind second-placed Douglas and Fermoy are fourth on 13 points.
Charleville will be expected to record their second win of the season over Fermoy as they already defeated the same opposition on a 25-13 scoreline in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup semi final at the Showgrounds three weeks previously.
