Weekend Preview

It is a busy weekend with the Women’s All Ireland League semi-finals and a packed fixture list across all divisions of the Men’s All Ireland League.

There is also a full programme of games in the Munster Junior League and all three conferences of the Munster Women’s League.

See the full list of fixtures here.

In the semi-finals of the Women’s All Ireland League, UL Bohemian will have their work cut out as they travel to Stradbrook to take on Blackrock College. The Dublin side recorded a comprehensive 63-7 victory when these sides met at Annacotty in October and the winners will meet Railway Union or Old Belvedere in the decider.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League, third-placed Cork Constitution lock horns with Clontarf at Temple Hill. The Leesiders will be looking to make the most of home advantage in a bid to maintain their challenge for a top-four finish, following their 20-13 away win over Ballynahinch. The Dublin side have slipped to fourth following their narrow 29-24 home defeat by leaders Terenure College.

Shannon, who are hovering above the drop zone, go head to head with Limerick neighbours Young Munster at Thomond Park. Shannon recorded their second maximum-point home win as they defeated UCD 36-24 at Thomond Park last time out. Young Munster go into the tie on the back of a 25-24 win over Dublin University.

Bottom side Garryowen go in search of their first win as they welcome Ballynahinch, who are sixth, to Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues scored four tries in their 47-28 defeat by Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium, while the County Down side claimed a losing bonus point from their 20-13 home defeat by Cork Constitution.

There is a Leeside derby in Division 1B as sixth-placed Highfield welcome UCC, who are fifth, to Woodleigh Park. Highfield returned from Belfast with a losing bonus point after a 20-17 defeat by Malone, while the Students lost 25-15 to Old Wesley at the Mardyke.

The game of the day in Division 2A is the meeting of Queen’s University and Cashel in Belfast. Queen’s University, who have slipped to third following their 32-24 defeat by Nenagh Ormond in North Tipperary, returned to Belfast with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. The Premier County side, who did the Double over Queen’s last season, have climbed up to second, following their 14-8 home win over Old Crescent.

Nenagh Ormond, who are fifth following their 32-24 maximum-point home win over Queen’s University, will have their work cut out, as they travel to the Capital to take on leaders Blackrock College at Stradbrook. The Dublin side recorded a 31-26 away win over UL Bohemian, from which they claimed all points on offer last time out.

Old Crescent, who are three points adrift of the drop zone, entertain Ballymena, who are seventh, at Takumi Park. The Limerick side claimed a valuable losing bonus point from their 14-8 defeat by Cashel at the Tipperary venue, while the County Antrim side recorded a 26-10 home win over Dolphin.

Dolphin, who are second from bottom, face a tricky task as they travel to County Kildare to take on fourth-placed MU Barnhall. The Leesiders are still seeking their first away win, following their 26-10 defeat by Ballymena at Eaton Park, while the County Kildare side recorded a 32-12 bonus point home win over Navan.

UL Bohemian, who are propping up the table on six points, travel to the Royal County to take on Navan, as they go in search of their first win. UL Bohemian claimed two bonus points from their 31-26 defeat by Blackrock College at Annacotty. The County Meath side have slipped to sixth following their 32-12 defeat by MU Barnhall at Parsonstown.

In Division 2C, fifth-placed Bruff welcome Clonmel, who are seventh, to Kilballyowen Park. The County Limerick side recorded a 10-3 away win over Sunday’s Well last time out, while Clonmel were defeated 28-14 by Instonians in South Tipperary.

Sixth-placed Midleton face a tough assignment following their 13-13 home draw with Ballina, as they travel to Belfast, to take on runaway leaders Instonians, who have maximum points from all their games to date.

Sunday’s Well, who claimed a losing bonus point from their 10-3 home defeat by Bruff, entertain third-placed Skerries, who were narrowly defeated 18-16 by Tullamore in County Offaly.

On Saturday evening in Section A of the Munster Junior League, defending champions Newcastle West welcome Crosshaven to West Limerick. The West Limerick side will be looking to make home advantage count, following their 7-7 draw with Mallow in North Cork if they are to get back to winning ways. They also have a game in hand. The South Cork side were defeated 15-10 at home by Thurles and claimed a losing bonus point.

Ballincollig, who are in joint second place in Section C with Kanturk, travel to the Kingdom to take on Tralee at O’Dowd Park. Ballincollig are unbeaten, while Tralee go into the tie on the back of three successive defeats, following a promising start, where they won their first two games. The Mid Cork side recorded a bonus point 36-19 home win over Douglas last time out, while the Kerry side lost 27-12 to Kinsale at the South Cork venue.

Abbeyfeale, who are propping up Section A on a single losing bonus point, will have their work cut out as they lock horns with joint leaders Richmond at the West Limerick venue on Sunday. Richmond will be looking to get back to winning ways following their 14-7 defeat by Muskerry in Mid Cork. Abbeyfeale go into the tie on the back of a 29-7 defeat by Old Christians at Rathcooney.

Kilfeacle, who are also sharing pole position, following their maximum point 40-20 home win over near neighbours Clanwilliam, travel to Grove Island to take on St Mary’s. St Mary’s claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries in their narrow 29-27 home defeat by Thomond.

Bandon travel to Tipperary Town to take on Clanwilliam. The West Cork side ran out 38-14 maximum-point home winners over neighbours Skibbereen, while Clanwilliam were defeated 40-20 by Kilfeacle.

Mallow, following their 7-7 home draw against Newcastle West, make the relatively short trip to Ballyanly to take on Muskerry. The Sky Blues go into the tie on the back of a 36-22 defeat by Clonakilty at the Vale where they claimed a bonus point as they scored four tries.

Skibbereen will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they entertain Old Christians at the Carbery Showgrounds. Skibbereen fell to their third successive defeat against Bandon last time out, following a promising start in which they won their first two games. Old Christians go into the tie on the back of a 29-7 home win over Abbeyfeale.

Thomond entertain Thurles at Liam Fitzgerald Park. The Tipperary side ground out a valuable 15-10 away win over Crosshaven last time out, while Thomond claimed all points on offer from their 29-27 away win over St Mary’s.

Waterpark welcome struggling Clonakilty to Suirside. Waterpark ran out 23-17 home winners over Old Christians at Ballinakill last time out, while Clonakilty, who have a game in hand, recorded a valuable 36-22 maximum-point home win against Muskerry.

In Section B, third-placed Fermoy face a tough assignment as they welcome unbeaten leaders Fethard to the Showgrounds. Fethard are unbeaten with six wins from six, while Fermoy will be looking to make the most of home advantage if they are to continue their recent good run. Fethard ran out 21-7 away winners over Carrick-on-Suir in a South Tipperary derby, while Fermoy go into the tie on the back of a 27-18 home win over Waterford City.

St Senan’s welcome Galbally-Mitchelstown to the Banner County. St Senan’s were held to a 27-27 draw at home against neighbours Ennis, while Galbally-Mitchelstown ran out 19-6 home winners over Ennis.

Waterford City welcome Scariff to Suirside. The East Clare side ended Cobh Pirates’ recent good run with a 15-10 home win, while Waterford City were defeated 27-18 by Fermoy.

Youghal, who are propping up the table on four points, following their 24-12 defeat by St Senan’s in Clare, are at home to Carrick-on-Suir, who were defeated 21-7 by Fethard.

Dungarvan welcome Ennis to West Waterford, with the Clare side seeking their first win. Both sides go into the tie on the back of away defeats by Fethard and Galbally-Mitchelstown respectively.

The game of the day in Section C is the meeting of Charleville and Kinsale at Smith’s Road. The Seasiders are unbeaten with maximum points from their games to date. Charleville will be looking to make home advantage count if they are to get back to winning ways following their 17-11 defeat to Kanturk, where they claimed a losing bonus point.

Unbeaten Kanturk, who share second place with Ballincollig, travel to the Kingdom to take on Killorglin, who are seeking their first win. Killorglin were defeated 23-10 by Castleisland at home last time out and are on a single losing bonus point from October’s 26-22 home defeat by Kinsale.

Douglas go in search of their first win against Castleisland, who recorded a narrow 6-3 home win over Killarney.

Killarney entertain, Bantry Bay, where both sides are still without a win. The West Cork side were defeated 47-8 by Kanturk, while Killarney have two losing bonus points to their credit.

In Conference A of the Munster Women’s League, Kerry welcome UL Bohemian to Tralee, with UL Bohemian looking to make it two wins out of two against the Kingdom with both sides going into the tie on the back of victories over Shannon-LIT.

Shannon-LIT welcome Skibbereen to Coonagh, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats by UL Bohemian.

Ennis-Kilrush lock horns with Ballincollig in Ennis, with both sides going into the tie on the back of heavy defeats by Thurles in the Premier County in Conference B. The Clare side won October’s corresponding fixture 12-10, resulting in a losing bonus point for Ballincollig.

Waterpark welcome Thurles to Ballinakill. The Suirsiders were defeated 48-10 by Ennis-Kilrush at Ballinakill, while Thurles put up 52 points without reply against the Clare side in the Premier County. Waterpark claimed maximum points as they defeated the Tipperary side 38-29 in the Premier County in October. The Tipperary side got a bonus point as they scored four tries.

Conference C leaders Dolphin, following their 64-0 defeat of Mallow at Musgrave Park are at home to Midleton, who were defeated 19-0 by Mallow. Dolphin won October’s corresponding fixture in East Cork 36-0.