Weekend Club Preview

There is a full program of games in the Ulster Bank All Ireland League, together with the opening round of games in the All Ireland Provincial League series.

Garryowen and Young Munster get the show on the road at Dooradoyle on Friday evening with ‘Munsters in second place aiming to collect the points and maintain their challenge for a top four finish in Division 1A and a home semi final. A defeat for Garryowen would end their playoff hopes. These sides played out a 16-16 draw at Tom Clifford Park in September.

Cork Constitution, who have climbed up to third following their recent home win over Terenure College, travel to the Capital to take on last season’s champions Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. These sides played out a 22-22 draw on Leeside in September and Con’ are aiming for a top four finish, while Lansdowne are seventh.

In Division 1B, struggling Dolphin make the long trip north to County Antrim to take on third-placed Ballymena at Eaton Park. Dolphin will have their work cut out in a bid to avoid a second successive relegation as Ballymena won 37-10 when these sides met at Irish Independent Park.

UL Bohemian and Belfast Harlequins go head to head in basement clash at Thomond Park. The Limerick side will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they aim to grind out another valuable win after having defeated Dolphin 18-16 last time out. UL Bohes defeated ‘Quins on a 20-18 scoreline in Belfast.

Shannon are away to struggling Blackrock College and they were defeated 21-16 by ‘Rock when these sides met at Thomond Park.

The final series of games in Divisions 2A, 2B and 2C are being played this weekend and the ties are the reverse of the opening day’s fixtures.

Cashel, who are tied on 49 points with Nenagh Ormond, will be expected to record their second win of the season over bottom side Thomond at the Spafield in Division 2A.

Third-placed UCC entertain Nenagh Ormond and the Students will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to avenge September’s 20-0 defeat in North Tipperary and a point at least should be enough to guarantee the students a place in the play offs. Nenagh must get a better result than Cashel if they are to be sure of a place in the play offs.

Sunday’s Well guaranteed a playoff place are away to fellow Division 2B promotion chasers Greystones by whom they were defeated 20-15 at Irish Independent Park.

Highfield welcome Bective Rangers to Woodleigh Park and the Dublin side assured their place in this Division next season with that home win over City of Derry last week. Highfield will be expected to claim all points on offer as they were defeated 28-17 when these sides met at Donnybrook.

Any of the top three teams in this Division can gain automatic promotion. City of Derry currently lead both of the Cork sides by a point, with the Ulster side having a better points difference and the ‘Well the worst of the three of them.
It should be an interesting afternoon as fans keep in touch with the other venues to see what the final placings will be.

The game of the day in Division 2C sees leaders Old Crescent hosting second-placed Tullamore in a top of the table clash. The Limerick side already promoted hold a nine point advantage over the Offaly side, who they defeated 13-12 at Spollanstown.

Third-placed Bruff welcome bottom side Dundalk to Kilballyowen Park. Bruff can finish runners up with a bonus point win provided Tullamore fail to pick up a point at Rosbrien and a defeat for Dundalk will see them become the first side to be promoted to Senior ranks and be relegated the following season since the introduction of the All Ireland League.

Midleton face Wee County opposition for the second successive weekend as they host Boyne at Towns Park. The East Cork side will be looking to bounce back from their recent 16-15 away defeat by Dundalk and avenge September’s 31-29 defeat by Boyne in Drogheda.

Kanturk, who are three points ahead of relegation-threatened Sligo, lock horns with Wanderers at Merrion Road. The Duhallow side will have their work cut out but the Dublin side are already in the play offs.

Clonmel begin their second All Ireland Provincial League campaign with a home game over the Leinster champions Enniscorthy. The Wexford side are favourites to win promotion to the AIL next season.

There are also a handful of games at Junior level down for decision on Sunday.

Galbally make the short trip to Tipperary Town for the biggest day in their 44-year history as they take on Richmond in the decider of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup at Clanwilliam Park.
Richmond won this trophy in 2012, while Galbally will be looking for their first major provincial title.

In the quarter finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate, Ballincollig entrtain Waterpark at Tanner Park.

Muskerry host Mallow in a Cork derby with the winners away to Nenagh Ormond in the semi-final.

The second semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl sees Bruff taking on Presentation, who won the trophy as part of a treble in 2011, at Kilballyowen Park. The winners will meet Fermoy in the decider.

Old Christians lock horns with Cobh Pirates in the first semi-final of the Cork County Cup at Rathcooney. The winners will meet Muskerry or Skibbereen in the decider.