Weekend Preview

It is a busy weekend with the second round of Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship taking place along with a full programme of games across the Men’s All Ireland League.

Action continues in the Munster Junior League with a full series of games across all three Sections as the first round of games in the Munster Women’s Division 1 Cup also take place.

See the full list of fixtures here.

On Saturday in the Women’s Interprovincial Championship, Munster will be looking to make it two wins from two as they entertain Leinster at Musgrave Park. Ulster entertain Connacht at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

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

Cork Constitution lock horns with Dublin University at Temple Hill. Following last week’s thrilling 35-35 draw, where both sides claimed three points each, the Lilywhites will be looking to make the most of home advantage in a bid to move further up the table.

Garryowen, who are propping up the table on two bonus points and are still without a win, face a tough assignment, as they welcome Clontarf to Dooradoyle. The Dublin side claimed maximum points from their 36-10 win at Castle Avenue before Christmas.

Shannon, who are hovering above the drop zone, go head to head with Lansdowne, who are second from bottom, at Thomond Park. The Limerick side recorded a valuable maximum point 41-31 victory when these sides met at the Back Pitch of the Aviva Stadium, while Lansdowne claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Fifth-placed Young Munster travel the Capital to take on leaders Terenure College at Lakelands Park. The Limerick side ended Terenure College’s unbeaten run as they came from behind to record a 24-18 win at Tom Clifford Park last time out. This game also counts as a Bateman Cup semi-final.

Highfield, who have climbed up to fourth place in Division 1B, following their 34-14 maximum point away win over St Mary’s College. These sides meet again on Leeside and Highfield will be looking to make home advantage count in a bid to make it two wins over the Dublin side.

UCC, who are six points clear of the drop zone in seventh place, face a tricky task as they travel to the Capital to take on Old Belvedere at Ollie Campbell Park. The Students, who made a promising start to the campaign with four successive wins, which were followed by five successive defeats, lost heavily when these sides met at Musgrave Park.

Third-placed Cashel in Division 2A face a tricky task as they travel to Stradbrook to take on second-placed Blackrock College, with whom they played out a 17-17 draw at the Tipperary venue last time out.

Bottom side UL Bohemian face a tough assignment away to Kildare side MU Barnhall, who they beat 20-17 at home. This was UL Bohemian’s first win of the campaign.

Nenagh Ormond, who are fifth, travel to the Royal County to take on sixth-placed Navan, who they defeated 31-15 in North Tipperary and claimed all points on offer.

There is a Munster derby at Takumi Park between Old Crescent and Dolphin. Old Crescent claimed maximum points when these sides met at Musgrave Park before Christmas, while Dolphin claimed a losing bonus point.

There are two Munster derbies in Division 2C.

Bruff and Midleton lock horns at Kilballyowen Park. When these sides met in East Cork, Bruff recorded a 24-20 maximum point win, while Midleton claimed a losing bonus point.

Sunday’s Well, who are second from bottom, entertain Clonmel, by whom they were defeated 26-5 at the High School CBS All Weather Pitch last time out.

Provincial Preview

In the first round of the Munster Women’s Divisional Cup, Ballincollig are at home to UL Bohemian and there is local derby action on in West Cork which sees Bantry Bay hosting Skibbereen.

Ennis-Kilrush entertain Shannon-LIT in the Banner County, and Kerry are at home to Midleton in Tralee.

Mallow are at home to Dolphin and Thurles entertain Waterpark in the other ties.

In Section A of the Munster Junior League, Bandon and Thomond get the show on the road at Old Chapel on Saturday evening. The West Cork side, who share pole position with Richmond, will be looking to bounce back from their narrow 25-24 defeat by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary. Thomond have two games in hand and their last match was their narrow 17-15 home win over Thurles in early December.

On Sunday, Richmond lock horns with St Mary’s in a Limerick City derby at the Canal Bank. Richmond claimed all points on offer from their 33-24 victory over Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town, while St Mary’s who are four points adrift of the top four, recorded a narrow 19-15 home win over Old Christians.

Second-placed Kilfeacle are away to Old Christians, who occupy one of the relegation places. Kilfeacle go into the tie on the back of a narrow 25-24 home win over Bandon, while Old Christians returned home from Limerick with a losing bonus point from their narrow 19-15 defeat by St Mary’s.

Defending champions Newcastle West are third with two games in hand and currently in the midst of a busy period. They entertain Muskerry, who recorded a narrow 13-10 home win over Thurles last time out. The West Limerick side’s last League game was also against Thurles, where they ran out 31-22 maximum point winners at the Tipperary venue.

Fourth-placed Mallow entertain fifth-placed Skibbereen, with both sides having clamed losing bonus points from their last games against Abbeyfeale and Clonakilty respectively.

Clonakilty will be looking to take another step closer to safety, following their 27-26 narrow bonus point away win over Skibbereen, which also saw them claim the Jimmy Kingston Cup. Clanwilliam go into the tie on the back of a 33-24 home defeat by Richmond.

Crosshaven will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they entertain bottom side Abbeyfeale in their basement clash. The Seasiders claimed a losing bonus point from their 27-20 defeat by Waterpark on Suirside, while Abbeyfeale recorded their first win, where they defeated Mallow 22-15 in West Limerick last week.

The game of the day in Section B is the meeting of leaders Fethard and Cobh Pirates, who are locked in a three-way tie for third place with Galbally-Mitchelstown and St Senan’s, in South Tipperary. The Pirates go into the tie on the back of a 24-7 maximum point home win over Waterford City, while Fethard ran out 21-7 away winners over Carrick-on-Suir in November.

Second-placed Fermoy travel to the Banner County to take on Ennis. The Clare side will be looking to take another step closer to safety following their 45-10 maximum point home win over Dungarvan in early December. This is Fermoy’s first game since they ran out 27-18 home winners over Waterford City in November.

Galbally-Mitchelstown entertain Dungarvan, with both sides entering the tie on the back of narrow victories over St Senan’s.

St  Senan’s welcome bottom side Carrick-on-Suir to Jimmy Slattery Park. St Senan’s will be looking to bounce back from their narrow 21-17 away defeat by Dungarvan where they claimed a losing bonus point. Carrick’ were heavily defeated 58-14 by Youghal in East Cork in early December.

Youghal, who are tied on nine points with Dungarvan in second last spot, entertain Scariff. Youghal recorded a valuable 58-14 maximum point home win over Carrick-on-Suir, while Scariff ran out 13-5 away winners over Waterford City.

In Section C, Kanturk who are unbeaten in second place, lock horns with Kinsale at the Duhallow venue. Kanturk claimed all points on offer from their 38-13 away win over Killorglin, while Kinsale claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 17-12 away defeat by Charleville.

Ballincollig who are unbeaten in fourth place, welcome leaders Charleville to Tanner Park.

Ballincollig drew 24-24 with Tralee at O’Dowd Park, while Charleville were 17-12 home winners over Kinsale.

There are two local derbies in Kerry.

Castleisland are at home to Tralee. Castleisland claimed all points on offer from their 41-7 away win over Douglas. Tralee were held to a 24-24 draw by Ballincollig, but they claimed a bonus point as they scored four tries.

Killorglin are at home to Killarney and both sides are still without a win. Killorglin were defeated 38-13 at home by Kanturk and they claimed their only losing bonus point in October when they were defeated 26-22 by Kinsale. Killarney have two losing bonus points to their credit, including their 6-3 away defeat by Castleisland last time out.