Weekend Preview

It is a busy weekend with one game in the Men’s All Ireland League and action across the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, Plate & Bowl competitions.

There is also action in the Women’s All Ireland Cup series on Saturday and the Munster Women’s League Conference quarter-finals on Sunday.

On Saturday, Old Crescent travel to County Antrim to take on Ballymena at Eaton Park in their rescheduled game in Division 2A of the Men’s All Ireland League. Ballymena are nine points clear of the drop zone in eighth place, while the Limerick side are seventh on 28 points.

The County Antrim side claimed maximum points from their narrow 40-38 victory over Dolphin on Leeside, while Old Crescent claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 19-17 home defeat by Cashel. Old Crescent claimed all points on offer when they defeated Ballymena 32-14 at Takumi Park in early December.

Women’s All Ireland Cup leaders UL Bohemian travel to the Capital to take on Suttonians at the JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds. The Limerick side have two bonus points wins from two, while Suttonians are seeking their first win, following their 15-10 away defeat by Ballincollig, where they claimed a losing bonus point.

Ballincollig face a tough assignment as they welcome League champions Blackrock College, who recorded a maximum point 31-5 away win over Suttonians, to Tanner Park.

Junior Rugby

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup continues with a full programme of games in Round 3 and there are also two games from Round 2 outstanding.

Proceedings get underway at Grove Island on Friday evening as St Mary’s, whose only triumph was in 1968, entertain 2016 winners Young Munster. The winners will be rewarded with a home tie against Mallow or Old Crescent, who meet at the North Cork venue on Sunday.

In Round 2 on Sunday, Kanturk welcome Carrick-on-Suir to Duhallow, with Richmond awaiting the winners at Canal Bank.

Waterford City go head-to-head with Tralee at Kilbarry. Waterpark await the winners at Ballinakill.

Abbeyfeale, who won the trophy in 1964 and 1966, welcome 1997 and 1998 winners Midleton to West Limerick in Round 3. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against 2002 winners Kilfeacle or Cork Constitution, whose last triumph was in 2018.

Bandon, who won the trophy in 2017, lock horns with 2019 winners Highfield at Old Chapel. The winners will be at home to Charleville or Kinsale, who meet at Smith’s Road.

Clanwilliam, whose only triumph was in 1947, entertain Newcastle West and the winners will be rewarded with a home tie against Fermoy or 11-time winners Shannon, who meet at the Showgrounds.

Garryowen welcome 1965 winners Old Christians to Dooradoyle. The winners will be away to Muskerry or Nenagh Ormond, who last won the trophy in 2004.

Thurles go head-to-head with seven-time winners Thomond in the Premier County. UCC or Clonakilty, whose only triumph was in 2001, await the winners.

In other ties, Crosshaven entertain Skibbereen and Dungarvan are at home to Galbally-Mitchelstown.

There is one tie down for decision in the opening round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate as UL Bohemian and Cashel go head-to-head at Annacotty.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl, 2015 winners Sunday’s Well are at home to Douglas and the winners will have a home semi-final tie against Killarney.

Cobh Pirates make the long trip to East Clare to take on Scariff. The winners will be rewarded with a trip to the Kingdom to take on Castleisland.

In the Munster Women’s League Conference quarter-finals, Dolphin lock horns with Ballincollig at Musgrave Park, and UL Bohemian welcome Waterpark to Annacotty.