Weekend Preview

It is a busy weekend as the All Ireland League and the Munster Junior League both resume with a full program of games after a two-week break. There is also one game down for decision in the Munster Women’s League.

In Division 1A of the All Ireland League, Cork Constitution face a tricky task as they travel to County Down to take on Ballynahinch. The Leesiders are fourth following their 36-25 victory over Lansdowne, from which they claimed all points on offer. The Ulster side, will be looking to get back to winning was following their 38-21 defeat by leaders Terenure College at Lakelands Park.

Young Munster, who have climbed up to fifth place following their 24-19 home win over Clontarf, face a tough assignment as they travel to the Capital to take on second-placed Dublin University at College Park. The Dublin Students go into the tie on the back of a 34-28 maximum-point home win over Shannon.

Garryowen, who are propping up the table on a single losing bonus point, which they claimed from their 26-23 away defeat by Young Munster in October, are away to Lansdowne. Garryowen were defeated 47-22 by UCD at Dooradoyle last time out, while Lansdowne were defeated 36-25 by Cork Constitution at Temple Hill.

Shannon will have their work cut out as they welcome seventh-placed UCD, who recorded a maximum-point 47-22 win over Garryowen at Dooradoyle, to Thomond Park. The Limerick side have slipped to ninth, following their 34-28 away defeat by Dublin University, from which they returned with two bonus points as they scored four tries.

UCC, who have slipped to third place following their 29-0 defeat by Buccaneers in Athlone, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they entertain Old Wesley, in a bid to get back to winning ways in Division 1B. The Dublin side have climbed up to fifth following their 31-18 maximum-point home win over Malone.

Highfield, who ended a run of three successive defeats following their 21-10 home win over Old Belvedere, have climbed up to sixth place. They travel to Belfast to take on Malone, who are second from bottom on seven points. The Belfast side were defeated 31-18 away by Old Wesley last time out.

In Division 2A, fifth-placed Nenagh Ormond will have their work cut out as they welcome leaders Queen’s University to North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond claimed two bonus points from their narrow 29-28 defeat by Old Crescent at Takumi Park, as they scored four tries. The Belfast Students recorded a 48-19 home win over UL Bohemian.

Third-placed Cashel entertain Old Crescent at the Spafield. The Premier County side go into the tie on the back of a 24-19 maximum-point away win over Dolphin last time out. Old Crescent also claimed all points on offer from their narrow 29-28 victory over UL Bohemian.

Dolphin have slipped into the drop zone following their 24-19 defeat by Cashel, from which they claimed a losing bonus point at Musgrave Park as they travel to County Antrim to take on Ballymena. The Ulster side, who are seventh, also claimed a losing bonus point from their 22-21 defeat by MU Barnhall at Eaton Park.

UL Bohemian, who are propping up the table following their 48-19 defeat by Queen’s University, entertain second-place Blackrock College at the UL arena. The Dublin side go into the tie on the back of a narrow 26-25 home win over Navan.

Clonmel, who have climbed up to fourth in Division 2C, following their 29-15 away win over Ballina, face a tricky task as they welcome leaders Instonians to the Premier County. The Belfast side recorded a 36-28 away win over Bruff in County Limerick last time out and returned home with a bonus point.

Midleton have climbed up to sixth, following their 30-17 away win over Bangor and they welcome bottom side Ballina to East Cork. Ballina were defeated 29-15 by Clonmel at the North Mayo venue last time out and their only losing bonus point to date was claimed when they were defeated 36-28 by Bangor at Upritchard Park.

Sunday’s Well, who were defeated 29-10 by Tullamore in County Offaly last time out, welcome Bruff, who are hovering above the drop zone to Musgrave Park. Sunday’s Well’s only points to date came from their maximum-point 27-9 victory over Ballina at Musgrave Park and they are second from bottom. The County Limerick side were defeated 36-28 by leaders Instonians in Belfast last time out, but returned home with a bonus point as they scored four tries.

Junior Rugby

The game of the day in Section A of the Munster Junior League is the meeting of Kilfeacle and Clanwilliam in a West Tipperary derby at Kilfeacle. With leaders Richmond not playing this weekend, Kilfeacle, who are joint-second with Bandon, will be looking to make the most of home advantage in a bid to grind out a maximum-point home win and share pole position. Kilfeacle go into the tie on the back of a narrow 17-15 away win over Skibbereen, while the Tipperary Town side narrowly defeated St Mary’s 15-13 at Grove Island.

Bandon, will also be looking to share pole position, if they record a bonus point victory over West Cork neighbours Skibbereen at Old Chapel. Bandon recorded a comprehensive 43-19 away win over Abbeyfeale last time out, from which they claimed maximum points. Skibbereen, following a promising start, go into the tie on the back of successive defeats by St Mary’s and Kilfeacle.

Mallow, who are third, face a tricky task as they entertain defending champions Newcastle West, who are fourth. Mallow recorded a 13-10 away win over Thurles last time out, while the West Limerick side’s unbeaten run was ended by Richmond.

Crosshaven, who claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 24-21 away defeat by Thomond, will be looking to get back to winning ways, as they entertain Thurles at Myrtleville Cross. The Premier County side also claimed a losing bonus point from their 13-10 home defeat by Mallow.

Clonakilty, who are second from bottom, face a tricky task as they welcome Muskerry to the Vale. Clonakilty ran out 21-7 winners over Thurles at the Vale last time out, while Muskerry go into tie on the back of a 14-7 home win over Richmond.

Old Christians, who were defeated 23-17 last time out by Waterpark at Ballinakill and returned with a losing bonus point, entertain bottom side Abbeyfeale at Rathcooney. The West Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 43-19 defeat by Bandon and their only losing bonus point to date was claimed when they lost 10-7 to Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town.

In Section B unbeaten leaders Fethard make the short trip to Carrick-on-Suir. Fethard claimed maximum points from their 28-12 win over Dungarvan in West Waterford last time out, while Carrick were defeated 27-18 away by Waterford City.

Galbally-Mitchelstown will be looking to get back to winning ways as they entertain Ennis. Galbally-Mitchelstown were narrowly defeated 19-17 by Fethard last time out, while the Banner County side claimed three points from their 27-27 draw in the Clare derby against St Senan’s, as they scored four tries.

Fermoy, who ran out 25-13 home winners over Scariff last time out, welcome Waterford City, who claimed maximum points from their 27-18 win over Carrick-on-Suir, to the Showgrounds.

Dungarvan, who were defeated 19-3 by Waterford City at home, entertain near neighbours Youghal, who were defeated 24-12 by St Senan’s in the Banner County, to West Waterford.

Scariff, who were defeated 25-13 by Fermoy at the Showgrounds are at home to third-placed Cobh Pirates, who claimed maximum points from their 27-9 away win over Carrick-on-Suir.

The game of the day in Section C is the North Cork derby between Kanturk and Charleville at the Duhallow venue. Both sides go into the tie unbeaten as Kanturk ran out 48-8 bonus point winners over Bantry Bay at the West Cork venue, while Charleville recorded a 17-7 away win over Tralee.

Ballincollig, who are also unbeaten should prove too strong for Douglas at Tanner Park. Ballincollig recorded a narrow 12-10 away win over Killarney in the Kingdom last time out, while Douglas go into the tie on the back of a heavy 40-7 away defeat by Charleville.

Unbeaten leaders Kinsale, who have maximum points from their four games to date, welcome Tralee to South Cork. The South Cork side ran out 27-10 home winner over Killarney last time out, while Tralee are aiming to end a run of successive defeats following a promising start to the campaign. The Kerry side go into the tie on the back of a 17-7 home defeat by Charleville.

There is a Kerry derby, which sees Castleisland locking horns with Killarney. Castleisland ran out 23-10 away winners over Killorglin last time out, while Killarney claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 12-10 home defeat by Ballincollig.

Bantry Bay entertain Killorglin with both sides going in search of their first win. Bantry were defeated 48-8 by Kanturk at home, while Killorglin were defeated 23-10 at home by Castleisland. Killorglin’s only losing bonus point to date was from their 26-22 away defeat by Kinsale.

The only game of the Women’s Muster League is the Conference A meeting between Skibbereen and Shannon-LIT at the Carbery Showgrounds. Skibbereen are propping up the table on a single four-try bonus point from their 37-27 defeat by Kerry in Tralee. Shannon-LIT were defeated 43-0 by UL Bohemian last time out and their only win was when they defeated Kerry 17-12 at Coonagh.