Weekend Preview

The Men’s All Ireland League continues this weekend with a full program of games across all five Divisions.

There are also two games with a bearing on relegation issues in Section A of the Munster Junior League, together with two games in the Munster Women’s Open Cup.

The four Munster sides in Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League are in action against Dublin opposition.

Young Munster face a tricky task as they welcome leaders Terenure College to Tom Clifford Park. Young Munster recorded a 32-3 bonus point win over Limerick neighbours Shannon at Thomond Park last time out, while the Dublin side recorded a narrow 23-21 home win over Dublin University at Lakelands Park.

Bottom side Garryowen, who are still without a win, face a tough assignment, as they travel to the Capital to take on Clontarf at Castle Avenue. Clontarf claimed all points on offer from their 29-22 win on Leeside against Cork Constitution, while the Sky Blues were defeated 28-10 by Ballynahinch at Dooradoyle.

Cork Constitution travel to College Park to take on Dublin University. Both sides go into the tie on the back of narrow defeats by Clontarf and Terenure College respectively, where they claimed a losing bonus point each.

Shannon, following their heavy 32-3 defeat by Young Muster at Thomond Park, are also in Dublin, as they lock horns with Lansdowne, who are hovering above the drop zone at the Aviva Stadium. Lansdowne were defeated 27-26 by UCD at Belfield, where they claimed two losing bonus points, as they scored four tries.

In Division 1B, Highfield, who have climbed up to fourth place following their maximum-point 29-10 home win over UCC in the Leeside derby, face a tough assignment as they travel to Dublin to take on St Mary’s College at Templeville Road. St Mary’s College ran out 15-10 away winners over Old Wesley last time out.

UCC, who made a promising start to the campaign with four successive wins, followed by four successive defeats, welcome sixth-placed Old Belvedere to the Mardyke. The Students are seventh, following their 29-10 away defeat by Highfield, while the Dublin side recorded a 29-13 home win over Malone.

The game of the day in Division 2A is the meeting of third-placed Cashel and leaders Blackrock College at the Spafield. The Premier County side will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to get back to winning ways following their 38-31 defeat by Queen’s University in Belfast. They returned with two bonus points as they scored four tries. Blackrock College recorded a narrow 17-14 home win over Nenagh Ormond last time out.

Nenagh Ormond, who have slipped to sixth, following their narrow 17-14 defeat by Blackrock College at Stradbrook and returned home with a losing bonus point, entertain fifth-placed Navan. The Royal County side put up 15 points without reply against UL Bohemian last time out.

Dolphin, who are second from bottom on ten points, entertain Old Crescent, who are hovering above the drop zone on 18 points. Dolphin lost away to MU Barnhall 34-19 last time out, while the Limerick side claimed all points on offer from their 32-14 home win over Ballymena.

UL Bohemian, who are propping up the table, face a tricky task as they entertain fourth-placed MU Barnhall, in a bid to record their first win of the campaign. UL Bohemian were defeated 15-0 by Navan in County Meath last time out, while the County Kildare side go into the tie on the back of a 34-19 home win over Dolphin.

In Division 2C, Clonmel, who have climbed up to fourth, following their maximum-point 30-28 away win over Bruff, welcome Sunday’s Well, who are second from bottom, to South Tipperary. The Leesiders recorded their second win of the campaign against Skerries at Musgrave Park last time out.

Midleton, who have slipped to seventh, following their heavy 47-13 defeat by leaders Instonians in Belfast, are at home to Bruff. The County Limerick side were narrowly defeated 30-28 by Clonmel at Kilballyowen Park, where they claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Junior Rugby

On Friday evening, Crosshaven and Muskerry who are tied on 11 points apiece in Section A of the Munster Junior League, lock horns at Myrtleville Cross, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats by Newcastle West and Mallow respectively.

Old Christians, who are on 13 points, entertain Clanwilliam, who are on 12 points at Rathcooney on Saturday evening. Old Christians returned with a valuable losing bonus point from their 26-20 defeat by Skibbereen at the Carbery Showgrounds, while Clanwilliam were defeated 32-3 by Bandon in Tipperary Town.

There are three games down for decision in the Munster Women’s Open Cup this weekend.

On Saturday, Bantry Bay make the long trip to Suirside to take on Waterpark at Ballinakill.

On Sunday, Dolphin welcome Ennis to Musgrave Park.