Weekend Club Preview

There is a full programme of games across all five divisions of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League on Saturday, together with the opening round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup on Sunday.

In Division 1A Cork Constitution will be looking to make the most of home advantage count against Old Belvedere at Temple Hill in a bid to climb up the table from seventh place and avenge November’s narrow 19-17 defeat at Anglesea Road.

Garryowen, who are in third place following their home win over Clontarf face a tricky assignment as they travel to the Capital to take on leaders UCD. The Students ran out 13-6 winners when these sides met at Dooradoyle.

Young Munster will be aiming to get back to winning ways after last week’s defeat in Galway when they entertain Terenure College, who they defeated 26-8 when these sides met in Dublin.

Dolphin and Shannon who are hovering above the drop zone in Division 1B lock horns at Irish Independent Park. Shannon ran out 30-19 winners when these sides met at Coonagh.

UL Bohemian, who are second from bottom entertain second-placed Ballymena at Thomond Park and the Limerick side will have their work cut out if they are to avenge November’s 15-6 defeat when these sides met at Eaton Park.

Fifth-placed Cashel welcome Division 2A leaders Banbridge to the Spafield, with the Tipperary side aiming to avenge November’s 28-9 defeat in County Down.

Struggling Thomond are away to promotion-chasing Naas, who are third. The County Kildare side ran out 29-10 winners when these sides met at Liam Fitzgerald Park

Skerries and Nenagh Ormond who are hovering above the drop zone lock horns at Holmpatrick, with the North Tipperary side aiming to climb up the table and record their second victory over the North Dublin side.

Fourth-place UCC welcome bottom side Corinthians to Leeside and the Students ran out 18-13 winners when these sides met in Galway.

The two Cork sides in Division 2B are in action against Ulster opposition as second-placed Highfield entertain Rainey Old Boys at Woodleigh Park, with the home side aiming to avenge November’s 18-13 defeat in Magherafelt.

Sunday’s Well, who are fourth, are away to fifth-placed City of Armagh. This will be a tricky assignment for the Cork side if they are to record their second victory over the Ulster side and keep their outside promotion aspirations alive.

In Division 2C leaders Old Crescent welcome bottom side Dundalk to Rosbrien with the home side aiming to record their second win of the season over the County Louth side.

Third-placed Bruff are away to struggling Sligo, with the County Limerick side aiming to keep their promotion hopes alive and make it two wins out of two against the North Connacht side.

Midleton and Navan lock horns in a mid-table clash at Towns Park. The East Cork side recorded a narrow 14-13 win when these sides met in the Royal County.

Kanturk travel to Drogheda to take on Boyne, who they defeated 27-17 at the Duhallow venue in November.

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup gets underway with twenty six ties scheduled.

Holders Shannon beginning their defence of the trophy with a Parish derby tie against St Mary’s at Coonagh.

There is also a local derby in South Cork which sees Douglas-Carrigaline and Crosshaven locking horns at Moneygourney.

Last season’s beaten finalists Clonmel, who won the trophy two years ago, open their account with an away tie against Waterpark.

Ten years after their solitary success in the competition, Cobh Pirates begin their campaign with a home tie against Kinsale.

The Mallow v Cork Constitution tie has been switched to Temple Hill.

Garryowen make the short trip to the Banner County to take on St Senan’s in what could be the match of the round.

There are two all senior club clashes with Cashel hosting Thomond and Nenagh Ormond travel to Rosbrien to face Old Crescent.

Some senior clubs face difficult ties against junior clubs. Dolphin are away to Third Division leaders Youghal, Bruff face a tricky encounter against current Junior League leaders Richmond and Highfield will not relish their trip to Charleville.

Current Division Two leaders Abbeyfeale could cause an upset when they travel to Clanwilliam.