Weekend Preview

It is another action packed weekend as the Men’s All Ireland League resumes this weekend, with the fixtures being the reverse of the games played in the last round before Christmas.

Cork Constitution, who are second in Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they entertain Young Munster, who are sixth, at Temple Hill. Young Munster recorded a narrow 22-21 victory, when these sides met in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Leesiders.

Shannon, who are hovering above the drop zone, face a tricky task as they lock horns with unbeaten leaders Clontarf at Thomond Park. Shannon are three points adrift of the drop zone and Clontarf won the corresponding fixture in Dublin 38-21.

Highfield, who are fourth in Division 1B, entertain Naas, who are fifth at Woodleigh Park. There is one point separating these sides and Highfield recorded a narrow 13-12 victory, when these sides met in County Kildare.

Seventh-placed UCC welcome Garryowen, who are sixth, to the Mardyke. These sides played out a thrilling 35-35 draw at Dooradoyle, where the Sky Blues scored five tries to the Leeside Students’ four. Both sides claimed a bonus point each.

The game of the day in Division 2A is the Tipperary derby between unbeaten leaders Nenagh Ormond and second-placed Cashel at New Ormond Park. Nenagh Ormond won the corresponding fixture 20-16 at the Spafield, resulting in a losing bonus point for Cashel.

It is also derby day in Limerick as Old Crescent and UL Bohemian go head to head at Takumi Park. Old Crescent are sixth and ran out 24-20 winners at Annacotty, where UL Bohemian claimed a losing bonus point, to slip to fourth place.

Dolphin who are propping up Division 2B, welcome Malahide to Musgrave Park. The County Dublin side have climbed up to seventh following their 30-24 win, to move them three points clear of the drop zone. Dolphin claimed their first two bonus points of the campaign, as they scored four tries.

Clonmel, who are fifth in Division 2C, travel to the Model County, to take on fourth-placed Enniscorthy, with ten points separating these sides. Clonmel claimed all points on offer from their 32-26 victory in South Tipperary, while the County Wexford side claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Midleton, who are seven points clear of the relegation zone in seventh place, welcome third-placed Bruff to East Cork. The County Limerick side recorded a narrow 23-20 home win when these sides met at Kilballyowen Park, resulting in a losing bonus point for Midleton.

Junior Preview

The New Year sees a full programmes of games in all three Divisions of the Munster Junior League, Division 2 of the Munster Women’s League and the Mark Anderson Trophy.

Sunday’s Well, who are third in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, entertain unbeaten leaders Thomond at Musgrave Park on Saturday evening in the top game of the weekend. The Limerick side have maximum points from their seven games to date and put up 38 points without reply against Clanwilliam in their last game, while the Leesiders were defeated 22-17 by Richmond and claimed a losing bonus point, after having led 17-0 at one stage.

On Sunday, second-placed Mallow, who are also unbeaten, travel to the Carbery Showgrounds, to take on Skibbereen, who are eighth. The North Cork side ran out 10-3 home winners over Kilfeacle last time out, while Skibbereen defeated Kanturk 18-13 at the Duhallow venue.

Bandon, who are six points clear of the relegation zone, entertain Thurles at the West Cork venue. Bandon recorded a narrow 27-24 home win over Clanwilliam, while Thurles were narrowly defeated 17-14 by Muskerry in the Premier County before Christmas.

Fifth-placed Kilfeacle, who have a game in hand, welcome Newcastle West to the Premier County. The West Tipperary side returned from their 10-3 defeat by Mallow with a losing bonus point, while Newcastle West claimed all points on offer from their 39-12 home win over Richmond.

Charleville, who are propping up the table, with three losing bonus points to their credit, welcome defending champions Richmond to Smith’s Road. The North Cork side are still seeking their first win following their 48-0 defeat by Clonakilty at the Vale. Richmond are five points clear of the relegation zone following their 39-12 away defeat by Newcastle West.

Muskerry, who recorded a narrow 17-14 victory over Thurles in the Premier County, welcome Clonakilty to Ellis Park. The West Cork side put up 48 points without reply against Charleville at The Vale last time out.

Clanwilliam lock horns with Kanturk in their basement clash in Tipperary Town. Both sides claimed losing bonus points from narrow defeats by Bandon and Skibbereen respectively.

The game of the day in Division 2 is the top of the table clash between unbeaten Kinsale and St Mary’s at the South Cork venue. Kinsale go into the tie on the back of a 13-6 away win over Galbally-Mitchelstown, while St Mary’s ran out comprehensive 43-5 winners over Ballincollig at Grove Island.

Second-placed Crosshaven go head to head with Old Christians, who are fifth at Rathcooney. Old Christians ran out 17-11 away winners over Fermoy last time out, while Crosshaven put up 49 points without reply Youghal at the South Cork venue.

St Senan’s, who are third, travel to East Cork to take on bottom side Youghal. The Clare side are three points adrift of second-placed Crosshaven, following their narrow 15-13 home win over Cobh Pirates. Youghal go into the tie on the back of a 49-0 defeat by Crosshaven.

Fourth-placed Tralee welcome Fermoy, who are three points clear of the relegation zone, to the Kingdom. The North Cork side clamed a losing bonus point from their 17-11 home defeat by Old Christians, while Tralee were defeated 27-5 by Waterpark at Ballinakill in their last game.

Fethard entertain Waterpark in a mid-table clash, with both sides coming off the back of victories over Abbeyfeale and Tralee respectively.

Cobh Pirates go head to head with Galbally-Mitchelstown in their basement clash at the Paddocks, with both sides having claimed losing bonus pints from defeats by St Senan’s and Kinsale respectively.

Ballincollig welcome Abbyefeale to Tanner Park. The Mid Cork side were defeated 43-5 by St Mary’s in Limerick last time out, while Abbeyfeale claimed a losing bonus point from their 8-7 home defeat by Fethard.

Douglas, who are propping up Division 3, welcome unbeaten leaders Ennis, to Castletreasure. Douglas were defeated 48-10 by Ardscoil Old Boys in Limerick last time out, while Ennis recorded a 23-10 home win over Scariff in the Clare derby.

Scariff, who have slipped to third, following their 23-10 Banner County defeat by Ennis, entertain Waterford City, who go into the tie on the back of a 25-0 home win over Dungarvan.

Third-placed Ardscoil Old Boys, following their 19-7 home win over Killorglin, which also doubled up as a Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup tie, travel to the Kingdom to take on Killarney, who are fourth. Killarney were defeated 33-24 by Carrick-on-Suir at Tybroughney last time out.

Killorglin, who are fourth, lock horns with fifth-placed Carrick-on-Suir at the Mid Kerry venue. Killorglin were defeated 19-7 by Ardscoil Old Boys in Limerick last time out while the South Tipperary side recorded a 33-24 home win over Killarney.

Dungarvan, whose only victory was on the opening day of the campaign, when they claimed all points on offer against Killarney at Youghal, entertain Chorca Dhuibhne, who are still without a win. Dungarvan were defeated 25-0 by Waterford City at Kilbarry, while the West Kerry Gaeltacht side were defeated 24-7 at home by Castleisland.

In Division 2 of the Munster Women’s League, leaders Midleton, who were defeated 28-0 by Bruff in their last game, travel to the Premier County, to take on Thurles. The Tipperary side go into the tie on the back of a narrow 19-13 away win over Clonakilty.

Bruff, who are unbeaten in second place, entertain Bantry Bay, who were defeated 29-8 by Mallow in North Cork before Christmas.

Clonakilty go in search of their first win as they welcome Ballincollig to The Vale. The West Cork side claimed a losing bonus point from their 7-3 home defeat by Mallow, while Ballincollig go into the on the back of a 28-0 away defeat by Bantry Bay.

The Mark Andrews Trophy gets underway as Tralee entertain Dolphin in the Kingdom and UL Bohemian lock horns with Shannon-TUS at Annacotty.