Weekend Preview

It is another busy weekend with a full program of games across all divisions of the Men’s All Ireland League.

The game of the day in Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League is the meeting of second-placed Clontarf and Cork Constitution, who are third, at Castle Avenue. Both sides go into the tie on the back of victories over Garryowen and Dublin University respectively, with Clontarf winning the corresponding fixture 29-22 at Temple Hill.

There is a Limerick derby at Tom Clifford Park between Young Munster and Shannon. Young Munster were defeated 21-11 by Terenure College last time out, in a game which also doubled up as a Bateman Cup semi-final. Shannon were defeated 34-24 by Lansdowne on the Back Pitch at the Aviva Stadium. They also lost the corresponding fixture in early December 32-3 on the Main Pitch at Thomond Park.

Garryowen, who are rooted to the foot of the table and are still seeking their first win, face a tough assignment as they travel to County Down, to take on Ballynahinch at Ballymacarn Park. The Ulster side are fifth as they put up 24 points without reply against UCD at Belfield last time out and they also won the corresponding fixture at Dooradoyle 28-10. Garryowen claimed a losing bonus point from their 19-13 home defeat by Clontarf.

There is a Leeside derby in Division 1B as UCC lock horns with Highfield at the Mardyke.

The Students will be looking to make the most of home advantage following a run of six successive defeats, which sees them hovering above the drop zone following a promising start, which yielded four successive wins. Highfield go into the tie on the back of three successive wins, which saw them do the double over St Mary’s College and they won the corresponding fixture 29-10 at Woodleigh Park against the Students, where they claimed all points on offer.

In Division 2A, the game of the day is the meeting of Cashel and Queen’s University at the Spafield. The Premier County side, who are third, did the double over the Belfast Students last season and they won their last game against Blackrock College 14-8 at Stradbrook. Queen’s University, who lead the division, ran out 43-25 home winners over Ballymena last time out. They also won December’s corresponding fixture in Belfast 38-31.

Nenagh Ormond, who are three points adrift of the top four in fifth place, welcome Blackrock College to North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond were held to a 10-10 draw by Navan in the Royal County last time out. They also claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 17-14 defeat at Stradbrook.

Old Crescent will be looking to continue their recent good run, which saw them record three successive wins and climb up the table to sixth place, as they travel to County Antrim to take on Ballymena at Eaton Park. Old Crescent recorded two successive wins over Dolphin and they also defeated the Ulster side 32-14 at Takumi Park. Ballymena were defeated 43-25 by Queen’s University in Belfast last time out.

Dolphin, who are second from bottom will have their work cut out as they lock horns with MU Barnhall at Musgrave Park. The Leesiders go into the tie on the back of six successive defeats, including the corresponding fixture in County Kildare, where MU Barnhall ran out 34-19 winners. MU Barnhall go into the tie on the back of a 42-29 bonus point home win over UL Bohemian.

Bottom side UL Bohemian, face a tricky task as they entertain Navan at the UL Arena. The Limerick side were defeated 42-29 by MU Barnhall in County Kildare last time out, but they claimed a bonus point as they scored four tries. Navan, who have slipped to seventh, were held to a 10-10 draw by Nenagh Ormond at the County Meath venue.

Fourth-placed Clonmel and Bruff, who are one point behind them in fifth place, go head to head in a Munster derby in South Tipperary in Division 2C. Clonmel, who recorded back to back victories over Sunday’s Well and they also won the corresponding fixture at Kilballyowen Park 30-28, where Bruff claimed a losing bonus point. The County Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 22-13 home win over Midleton.

Midleton, who are seventh, will have their work cut out as they entertain runaway leaders Instonians, who have maximum points from their games to date. The Belfast side put up 50 points reply without reply against Omagh Academicals and they also recorded a comprehensive 47-13 home win over Midleton. The East Cork side were defeated 22-13 by Bruff in County Limerick last time out.

Sunday’s Well, who are now propping up the table following their 27-19 defeat by Clonmel at Musgrave Park, face a tricky task as they travel to North County Dublin to take on Skerries, who are third. Sunday’s Well defeated Skerries 24-21, when these sides met at Musgrave Park, while Skerries claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 11-10 defeat by Bangor in County Down.

Junior Preview

The Battle for a top-place finish in the various Sections of the Munster Junior League hots up this weekend, with both Section B and C nearing completion.

Thomond and Muskerry get proceedings underway in Section A of the Munster Junior League at Liam Fitzgerald Park on Saturday evening. Both sides lost their respective games last time out against Bandon and Newcastle West and a win for either side would move them another step closer to playing in Division 1 next season.

The game of the day on Sunday is the meeting of Kifeacle and Richmond in West Tipperary. Richmond are tied in pole position with Bandon on 37 points apiece with a game in hand. Kilfeacle who are second on 33 points, will be looking to get back to winning ways following their narrow 25-24 defeat by Old Christians, where they returned home with two bonus points as they scored four tries.

Bandon entertain Old Christians at Old Chapel. The West Cork side got back to winning ways as they ran out 31-17 home winners over Thomond last time out. Old Christians are two points clear of the drop zone, following their narrow 25-14 home win over Kilfeacle.

Defending champions Newcastle West, who are third following their maximum point 34-18 win over Muskerry, travel to Suirside to take on Waterpark at Ballinakill. The Waterford side are battling hard for a top ten finish that would guarantee them a place in the top flight next season, following their 27-20 home win over Crosshaven.

Fourth-placed Mallow travel to Tipperary Town to take on Clanwilliam, who are fourth from bottom.

Mallow defeated Skibbereen 17-10 in North Cork last time out, while the Tipperary Town side recorded a narrow 23-21 win away at Clonakilty.

Skibbereen welcome Crosshaven to the Carbery Showgrounds. The West Cork side are six points adrift of the top four, while Crosshaven are in the relegation zone. Skibbereen were defeated 17-10 by Mallow in North Cork, while the Seasiders fell to a 24-22 home defeat by Abbeyfeale. Both sides collected a losing bonus point each.

St Mary’s welcome Clonakilty to Grove Island. St Mary’s were defeated 28-13 by Richmond at Richmond Park, while the West Cork side were narrowly defeated 23-21 by Clanwilliam at the Vale. St Mary’s are on 18 points and Clonakilty are on 17 points a win would take either side another step closer to safety.

Abbeyfeale and Thurles go head to head in their basement clash in West Limerick. Thurles go into the tie on the back of three successive defeats. Abbeyfeale have won their first two games of the New Year, following their 45-29 defeat by Richmond before Christmas, where they claimed a bonus point as they scored four tries.

In Section B, Fermoy lock horns with St Senan’s at the Showgrounds, with both of these sides tied on 22 points each in second place. Fermoy ran out 27-22 winners over Ennis in the Banner County, while St Senan’s recorded maximum point 27-15 home win over Carrick-on-Suir.

Leaders Fethard travel to Suirside to take on Waterford City, who are playing their first game of 2023. The South Tipperary side go into the tie on the back of 26-11 home win over Cobh Pirates, while Waterford City were defeated 24-7 by the Pirates in East Cork.

Cobh Pirates will be looking to get back to winning ways following their 26-11 away defeat by Fethard as they entertain Youghal in an East Cork derby. Youghal ran out 52-10 bonus point home winners over Scariff last time out.

Scariff and Ennis go head to head in a local derby at the foot of the table, with Scariff holding a four point advantage. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats by Youghal and Fermoy respectively, while Ennis claimed a losing bonus point.

Bottom side Carrick-on-Suir entertain Galbally-Mitchelstown, who are joint third with Cobh Pirates. This is Galbally-Mitchelstown’s first match of the year. Galbally-Mitchelstown ran out 13-10 away winners over St Senan’s in their last game. Carrick’ were defeated 27-15 by St Senan’s last time out at Jimmy Slattery Park.

In Section C Kanturk should prove too strong for Killarney at the Duhallow venue. Kanturk claimed all points on offer from their 27-23 bonus point home win over Kinsale, while Killarney are still without a win, but claimed their third losing bonus point from their narrow 12-11 defeat by Killorglin.

Second-placed Charleville are playing their first game of the year since their 17-12 home win over Kinsale in early December, as the entertain Castleisland. The Kerry side were defeated 25-15 by near neighbours Tralee last time out.

Kinsale, who are third go head to head with Ballincollig, who are also playing their first game of the year in South Cork. Kinsale were narrowly defeated by Kanturk in Duhallow last time out, while Ballincollig’s last game was their 24-24 draw with Tralee in the Kingdom.

Douglas are also playing their first game of 2023 as they entertain Killorglin. The Kerry side recorded their first win as they defeated Killarney 12-11. Douglas were defeated 41-7 in their last game with Castleisland in early December.

In the Munster Women’s Divisional Cup, Dolphin entertain Ennis at Musgrave Park and Kerry host Mallow in Tralee.

Shannon-LIT welcome Ballincollig to Coonagh and Skibbereen are at home to Midleton.

Thurles welcome UL Bohemian to the Premier County.