Weekend Club Preview

The Ulster Bank All Ireland League resumes this Easter weekend with a full programme of games in the Second Division and also some important Junior Cup games to be decided.

Proceedings get underway on Good Friday with derbies in Cork and Tipperary.

The Premier County derby in Division 2A sees Nenagh Ormond going head to head with Cashel, with a place in the promotion play-offs at stake. Both sides tied in fourth place on 48 points each on the back of victories over Queens University and Skerries respectively. Cashel ran out 31-14 winners when these sides met at the Spafield in October.

On Leeside, Sunday’s Well and Highfield lock horns at Irish Independent Park, with both sides through to the promotion play-offs. The ‘Well will be looking to avenge September’s 24-11 defeat when these sides met at Woodleigh Park and a ‘Well victory will see them overtake ‘Field in second place behind leaders City of Derry.

On Easter Saturday in Division 1A, fourth-placed Cork Constitution entertain Terenure College, with the Lilywhites aiming to keep their play-off aspirations intact and record their second win over the Dublin side.

In Division 2A, third-placed UCC travel to North County Dublin to take on Skerries, who they defeated 21-20 at the Mardyke in September. Both sides are coming off the back of defeats, with College aiming to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Thomond, who are now propping up the table following their heavy defeat by Banbridge in County Down entertain Queens University, who are hovering above the drop zone. The Students ran out 17-3 winners when these sides met in Belfast.

Midleton travel to the Wee County to take on Dundalk in Division 2C at Mill Road. Midleton will be expected to come away with the points and record their second victory over the County Louth side in a bid to maintain their outside chances of making the play-offs.

Kanturk host struggling Sligo and the Duhallow side will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to take another step closer to safety and make it two wins out of two against the North Connacht side.

Leaders Old Crescent will be aiming to take another step closer to the title as they travel to the Royal County to take on Navan. The Limerick side ran out 21-10 winners when these sides met at Rosbrien in September.

Third-placed Bruff face a tricky assignment as they travel to the Faithful County to take on second-placed Tullamore, who they defeated 22-15 at Kilballyowen Park in September.

There is also a handful of games across several competitions at Junior level this weekend

Muskerry will be aiming to complete their campaign in Division 1 of the Muster Junior League on a winning note as thy host St Senan’s at Ballyanly.

Old Christians and Waterpark, who each have two games in hand, lock horns in a basement clash at Rathcooney. The home side are propping up the table on 16 points, while ‘Park are hovering above the drop zone and tied with St Mary’s on 17 points.

The quarter finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup are down for decision.
On Saturday, Clonmel and Bandon get the sow on the road at the South Tipperary venue on Saturday. The winners will be away to Young Munster or Kilfeacle, who meet at Tom Clifford Park on Sunday, in the semi-final.

Galbally host Cork Constitution and the winners will be rewarded with a home semi-final against Cashel or Richmond, who lock horns at the Spafield.

Ballincollig take on Kanturk at Tanner Park in the last 16 of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate. The winners will be away to Waterpark in the last eight.
Newcastle West entertain St Mary’s in the first quarter final.

Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl holders Sunday’s Well continue their defence of the trophy against Fermoy in the first semi-final at Irish Independent Park. The winners will meet Bruff or Presentation in the decider.

Skibbereen host Midleton in the quarter finals of the Cork County Cup on Sunday, with the winners away to Muskerry in the semi-finals.

Kinsale are at home to Youghal in the second semi-final of the O’Neill Cup, with the winners meeting Fermoy in the final.