Weekend Preview

It is another busy weekend with a full programme of games in the Men’s All Ireland League and the Women’s AIL Cup Series.

In Division 1A of the men’s All Ireland League, Garryowen, who have already been relegated to Division 1B following their 26-16 home defeat by Shannon, entertain Cork Constitution. The Lilywhites are third and go into the tie on the back of successive defeats by Lansdowne and UCD, where they claimed losing bonus points. They claimed a second bonus point against UCD as they scored four tries. Cork Constitution claimed maximum points from October’s corresponding fixture at Temple Hill, which they won on a 33-16 scoreline.

Young Munster, who are fourth, travel to the Capital to take on Lansdowne, who are hovering above the drop zone in eighth place. Young Munster put up 21 points without reply against Ballynahinch at Tom Clifford Park last time out, while Lansdowne go into the tie on the back of a 43-24 defeat by Terenure College. Lansdowne ran out 20-13 winners when these sides met in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for Young Munster.

Shannon, who are second from bottom, face a tough assignment as they welcome leaders Clontarf to Thomond Park. The Limerick side, who won their last two games against UCD and Garryowen, are still in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety. Clontarf go into the tie on the back of a 31-28 victory over Dublin University at College Park. They also defeated Shannon 27-9 when they met at Castle Avenue in October.

Fourth-placed Highfield in Division 1B, face a tricky task as they lock horns with Old Wesley at Woodleigh Park. Highfield claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 23-21 home defeat by City of Armagh, where the Ulster side won with a last minute penalty. Old Wesley lost valuable ground with a 36-31 home defeat by Old Belvedere in a Dublin derby and they also defeated Highfield 6-5 in October’s corresponding fixture.

UCC, who are two points clear of the drop zone in eighth place, entertain Banbridge, who are second from bottom. UCC claimed a losing bonus point from last week’s 34-28 defeat by Naas in County Kildare, while Banbridge also claimed a losing bonus point from their 26-21 defeat by St Mary’s College at Rifle Park. UCC ran out 32-21 winners when these sides met in County Down.

Nenagh Ormond, who have climbed up to third in Division 2A, are at home to Ballymena who have climbed up to sixth. The North Tipperary side claimed maximum points from their comprehensive 47-14 victory over Dolphin at Musgrave Park, while Ballymena recorded a 26-19 home win over Cashel. Nenagh Ormond will be looking to make the most of home advantage in a bid to avenge October’s 16-12 defeat in County Antrim, from which they returned home with a losing bonus point.

Fifth-placed Cashel travel to County Kildare to take on MU Barnhall, who have slipped to fourth, following their 44-29 away defeat by Blackrock College. Cashel’s aspirations of reaching the play-offs were dealt a major setback as they were defeated 26-19 by Ballymena in County Antrim. The Tipperary side were narrowly defeated 22-21 when they met MU Barnhall at the Spafield in October.

Old Crescent, who have slipped to eighth place following their narrow 18-17 defeat by UL Bohemian at Takumi Park, travel to the Royal County to take on Navan. The County Meath side are seventh, following their heavy 46-15 defeat by Queen’s University in Belfast. Navan won October’s corresponding fixture 15-9 at Takumi Park, resulting in a losing bonus point for Old Crescent.

UL Bohemian welcome Dolphin to Annacotty for their basement clash, which also doubles up as a Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Plate semi-final. UL Bohemian have climbed up to ninth following successive victories over Old Crescent and Queen’s University. Dolphin are now propping up the table following their heavy 47-14 defeat by Nenagh Ormond at Musgrave Park. Dolphin won the corresponding fixture 27-24 on Leeside, which was also their last win of the campaign. The winners of this game will meet Midleton or UCC in the Munster Senior Plate decider.

Clonmel, who are fourth in Division 2C, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they lock horns with Skerries, who are third, in South Tipperary. Clonmel were narrowly defeated 20-16 by Bangor in County Down last time out, while Skerries ran out 30-15 home winners over Midleton. The County Dublin side defeated Clonmel 43-21 in October’s corresponding fixture.

Bruff, who are eight points adrift of the play-off places in fifth, entertain Bangor, who are sixth. Bruff were defeated 27-5 by Ballina in North Mayo last time out, while Bangor recorded a narrow 20-16 home win over Clonmel. The County Down side ran out 17-11 winners, when they met Bruff at Upritchard Park.

Seventh-placed Midleton will have their work cut out, as they welcome second-placed Tullamore to East Cork. Midleton were defeated 30-15 by Skerries at Holmpatrick last time out, while Tullamore recorded a 34-13 home win over Omagh Academicals. The County Offaly side recorded a 20-12 victory when these sides met in the Faithful County in October.

Sunday’s Well lock horns with Omagh Academicals in a basement clash at Musgrave Park. The Leesiders go into the tie on the back of a heavy 66-0 defeat by Instonians in Belfast, while the County Tyrone side are now occupying one of the relegation places, following their 34-14 defeat by Tullamore in County Offaly. Omagh Academicals ran out 19-10 winners in October’s corresponding fixture.

In the Women’s AIL Cup Series, new leaders UL Bohemian, who put up 74 points without reply at 4GUL last time out, are at home to third-placed Blackrock College, who ran out 24-10 home winners over Old Belvedere last time out.

Junior Preview 

Local action is spread across various Men’s and Women’s competitions.

Thomond and Richmond lock horns in a Limerick City derby in Section A of the Munster Junior League at Liam Fitzgerald Park on Friday evening. If Richmond win this game, they will be crowned champions for the fifth time. Thomond are sixth and they recorded a narrow 19-18 home win over Newcastle West last time out.

On Saturday evening, Crosshaven, who are second from bottom, entertain third-placed Kilfeacle. The West Tipperary side recorded a 35-24 maximum point home win over Mallow in their last game, while Crosshaven returned with a losing bonus point from their 17-10 defeat by St Mary’s at Grove Island.

On Sunday, Clonakilty will be looking to make the most of home advantage, as they welcome Old Christians to the Vale, in a bid to build on their 16-7 away win over Bandon and take another step closer to preserving their top flight status. The Rathcooney side are third from bottom following their 39-17 home defeat by Richmond.

Mallow go head to head with fourth-placed Bandon, with three points separating these sides. They both go into the tie on the back of defeats by Kilfeacle and Clonakilty respectively.

Thurles entertain St Mary’s in a basement clash. The Premier County side ran out 13-10 winners over Waterpark last time out, while St Mary’s defeated Crosshaven 17-10 at Grove Island.

Waterpark welcome Abbeyfeale, who are propping up the table, to Suirside. The West Limerick side were heavily defeated 47-14 by Muskerry at home while Waterpark returned from their narrow 13-10 defeat by Thurles in the Premier County with a losing bonus point.

Muskerry are at home to Skibbereen and the Mid Cork side will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they aim to build on their 47-14 away win over Abbeyfeale, where they claimed maximum points in their bid to preserve their top flight status. Skibbereen are locked in a three-way tie with Waterpark and Clanwilliam on 28 points.

Newcastle West are at home to Clanwilliam, where the Tipperary Town side need a result if they are to remain in the top flight next season.

Cobh Pirates entertain Youghal in an East Cork derby in Section B. The Pirates will be looking to make the most of home advantage count if they are to claim all points on offer to maintain their challenge for a play-off place. Youghal have two games in hand, as they aim to keep their challenge on track.

Second-placed Galbally-Mitchelstown entertain Dungarvan, who will be playing in Division 3 next season. Galbally-Mitchelstown will be looking to grind out a maximum-point win, as they aim to take another step closer to the title.

In the quarter finals of the Bank of Ireland Junior Plate, Cashel and Fethard go head to head in a Tipperary derby at the Spafield. The winners will be rewarded with a home semi-final against Youghal.

St Senan’s entertain Dolphin and the winners will have home advantage against Ennis.

The second semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl is down for decision as Sunday’s Well and Killarney go head to head at Musgrave Park. Castleisland await the winners in the decider.

Scariff and Waterford City meet in the quarter final on the Martin O’Sullivan Cup at Clanwilliam Park. The winners will be away to Castleisland in the semi-final.

In the Munster Women’s Divisional Cup, Shannon-TUS lock horns with UL Bohemian at Coonagh and Kerry welcome Skibbereen to Tralee.

Thurles are at home to Ballincollig in the Munster Women’s Divisional Bowl and Mallow entertain Ennis-Kilrush.