Weekend Preview

This weekend there are some All Ireland League matches that were postponed last week, due to the bad weather, down for decision.

The semi-finals of the All Ireland Junior Cup will also be played, and there is also action in Sections A and B of the Munster Junior League and the Women’s Munster Open Cup final.

One of the semi-finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup will be played on Saturday, the clash between Young Munster and Cork Constitution at Tom Clifford Park. Read our dedicated Preview here.

Of the four games involving Munster sides in the AIL this weekend, Shannon travel to the Capital to take on Lansdowne in a basement clash in Division 1A. Shannon are second from bottom following their heavy 32-3 defeat to Limerick neighbours Young Munster at Thomond Park. Lansdowne are hovering above the drop zone on 14 points and they claimed two valuable bonus points from their narrow 27-26 defeat by UCD at Belfield as they scored four tries.

Highfield, who are fourth in Division 1B, are also in Dublin as they take on third-placed St Mary’s College at Templeville Road. Highfield got their promotion aspirations back on track following their maximum-point 29-10 home win over near neighbours UCC last time out. St Mary’s College go into the tie on the back of a narrow 15-10 victory over Old Wesley at Enerigia Park.

UCC, who made a promising start with four successive wins, which were followed by four successive defeats, welcome Old Belvedere, who are sixth, to the Mardyke. The Students who are seventh, will have their work cut out as Old Belvedere ran out 29-13 bonus point winners over Malone at Ollie Campbell Park last time out.

In Division 2A, Nenagh Ormond, who have slipped to seventh place following Old Crescent’s bonus point victory over Dolphin on Leeside, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they welcome Navan to North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond returned from Stradbrook with a bonus point from their narrow 17-14 defeat by Blackrock College, while the Royal County side ran out 15-0 home winners over UL Bohemian.

Junior Rugby

The Munster Women’s Cup is down for decision this weekend as UL Bohemian and Skibbereen go head to head in the decider at Musgrave Park.

UL Bohemian defeated Kerry 38-15, while Skibbereen defeated Shannon-LIT 12-5 at Coonagh and then recorded a 48-27 victory over Thurles at the Carbery Showgrounds.

Newcastle West welcome holders Clogher Valley from Fivemiletown in County Tyrone to West Limerick for their All Ireland Junior Cup semi-final. The winners will meet Enniskillen or Monkstown, who meet at the County Fermanagh venue in the decider. Update: This match has been postponed. 

In Section A of the Munster Junior League, Mallow welcome Waterpark to North Cork on Saturday. Mallow are second on 23 points, following their maximum-point 39-16 away win over Muskerry last time out, while the Suirsiders go into the tie on the back of a 23-19 home win over Clonakilty.

Joint leaders Richmond are at home to Skibbereen, who are fourth. Richmond go into the tie on the back of a 45-29 bonus point away win over Abbeyfeale, while the West Cork side, also claimed maximum points from their narrow 26-24 home win over Old Christians.

Bandon, who are tied in pole position with Richmond and Kilfeacle on 27 points each, welcome St Mary’s, who are hovering above the drop zone on 14 points, to Old Chapel. The West Cork side returned from Tipperary Town with maximum points following their 32-3 victory over Clanwilliam last time out. St Mary’s were defeated 36-6 by Kilfeacle in their last game at Grove Island.

Kilfeacle lock horns with fifth-placed Thomond in West Tipperary. Kilfeacle ran out 36-6 away winners over St Mary’s last time out, while Thomond recorded a narrow 17-15 home win over Thurles.

Clonakilty and bottom side Abbeyfeale, who are still without a win, lock horns in their basement clash at The Vale. Clonakilty returned from Waterford with a losing bonus point from their narrow 23-19 defeat by Waterpark, while the West Limerick side also claimed a bonus point as they scored four tries in their 45-29 defeat by Richmond.

At the foot of Section B, Carrick-on-Suir and Ennis go head to head at Tybroughney. Carrick-on-Suir are seeking their first victory since their 21-16 home win over Fermoy in October, while the Clare side recorded their first win of the campaign as they ran out 45-10 bonus point winners over Dungarvan in the Banner County.

Dungarvan, who are propping up the table following their 45-10 away defeat by Ennis, are in action against Clare opposition as they welcome third-placed St Senan’s, who are third, to West Waterford. St Senan’s claimed a losing bonus point from 13-10 home defeat by Galbally-Mitchelstown.