Weekend preview 13th December

It is another round of league action across all grades this weekend.

The big game in the AIB All Ireland League is the meeting of the top two sides at Temple Hill when leaders St. Mary’s College face Cork Constitution. The home side will be boosted by that dramatic win in Shannon last weekend and with a full squad to pick from they could inflict a second defeat of the season on the Templeville Road outfit.

Shannon travel to Castle Avenue to face Clontarf in a repeat of last season’s final. The Limerick side bitterly disappointed by last week’s defeat will want to get back to winning ways although the points are just as vital to the Dublin side as both want to keep pace with the leaders.

There is a local derby at Thomond Park when the bottom two sides U.L. Bohemian and Garryowen clash in a game that has a 7.30 kick off. Garryowen find themselves four points behind their opponents and must start winning if they are not to become isolated. Bohes snatched a dramatic win with that drop goal by Fergal Lawlor last week at Musgrave Park against Dolphin and that will have given this young side great confidence and another win could see them move into the top half of table.

Dolphin are away to Blackrock College and both sides will want a win after poor results last week. Dolphin will be hoping that James Coughlan and Nick Williams will be available to them and their presence could make all the differences as the Cork side will want to get their place in the semi finals back on track.

In Division 1B Young Munster who are in second place travel to Galwegians the side five points behind them in third place. The Limerick side were well pleased with their win over U.C.C. last week and will be confident of extending the gap over the chasing pack.

U.C.C. will play Buccaneers at the Mardyke, after their pitch was declared playable following the recent floods. The students will want to get back to winning ways and should do so against the bottom side.

Bruff who are level on points in second place with two other sides travel to Trinity in a confident mod of keeping their promotion push alive with a victory.

Thomond who slipped down to sixth place as a result of their game in Clonakilty being postponed travel to DLSP the sides currently in second place on points difference. This is a game the Limerick side must win.

The other three Munster sides in this division are fighting to avoid relegation. Highfield are at home to bottom side Greystones and will fancy their chances of a win after a good display last week away to Bective Rangers.

Old Crescent travel to Donnybrook to face newly promoted Old Wesley. The Dublin side have moved into a challenging position for promotion in recent weeks so they could make things difficult for their visitors.

Clonakilty make the long journey to Belfast to face Malone another side struggling at the foot of the table. This is a crucial game to both sides and the West Cork side would do well to return home with the points.

Third Division leaders Midleton are also up north as they face Ards and will be confident of maintaining their unbeaten run with their seventh win of the campaign.

Nenagh Ormond can maintain their promotion push with a victory over last season’s Round Robin winner’s Navan.

Sunday’s Well can continue their good run with a home win over struggling Connemara at Musgrave Park.

In Division One of the Munster Junior League leaders Richmond will hope to keep their good run going with an away win over struggling Clonmel.

Tralee who are in second place three points behind the leaders, face a tricky encounter away to Kilfeacle. The Kerry side have put a few good results together since their defeat by Richmond and they will have to be on top of their game if they are to take home the points.

Defending champions Cashel have a home tie against Thurles and despite having two games in hand to the leaders this is a game that they will be striving to get maximum points from.

Waterpark’s whose hopes of a quick return to the AIL look over after last week’s defeat by Richmond have St. Senan’s as visitors and should collect the points, although the Clare side will be no easy push over.

Ballincollig and Cobh Pirates are playing their game on Saturday at Tanner Park. Ballincollig will be confident of taking the spoils after a fine performance last week against Tralee while the visitors desperately need the points to avoid being sucked into the relegation battle.

Crosshaven who are currently bottom of the table face a tricky encounter away to Skibbereen. The West Cork side have moved up to the top half of the table as a result of recent wins over Waterpark and St. Senan’s and are strongly fancied to make it three wins in a row.

Second Division leaders Old Christians are at home to Newport and after a fine performance in Youghal last week the Rathcooney outfit will fancy their chances of picking up another brace of points.

Two of their main challengers Kinsale and Galbally meet at the South Cork venue. Galbally who won promotion last season; remain unbeaten while Kinsale will have been boosted by a fine performance last week when they defeated Muskerry 22-5. This should be a keenly contested tie with little expected to be between them at the finish.

Clanwilliam who are in second place are away to Muskerry. This will be a big test for the Tipperary side’s promotion ambitions. Despite the Mid Cork side slipping out of the race after last weeks defeat they will not make things difficult for their visitors.

Bandon host Youghal with both sides at the wrong end of the table needing the points. Home advantage could swing it Bandon’s way.

Ennis who won their first game last week at home to Newport face a difficult test away to Kanturk and will do well to get something from this tie.

Bottom side St. Mary’s are at home to Newcastle West and the West Limerick side after a great result last week away to Bandon will be confident of making it two wins in a row.

In the Third Division; Section A leaders Castleisland play bottom side Killorglin and should collect maximum points for the sixth time this season.

Killarney who are in second place ten points behind the leaders, face Corca Dhuibhne in another Kerry derby tie and should keep up their challenge with another victory.

Presentation after their heavy defeat away to Castleisland last week should get back to winning ways with a home win over Scariff and Abbeyfeale will fancy their chances away to Kilrush.

In Section B leaders Charleville are at home to Fermoy and will want to make amends for their defeat earlier in the season. Fermoy need the points to keep pace with the chasing pack.

Mallow play Carrick-on-Suir at home for the third time this season and having lost twice already Mallow know they must win this tie to keep their promotion prospects alive.

Dungarvan entertain Douglas and both sides have shown an improvement in recent weeks but Douglas will be expected to do the double.

Shandon still searching for their first win, face Waterford City at Whitechurch. The Suirsiders have fallen away in recent weeks with two defeats but should get back to winning ways.

FIXTURES
SATURDAY 12th DECEMBER
AIB League Division 1A:Blackrock College v Dolphin,Stradbrook,2.30;
Clontarf v Shannon,Castle Avenue,2.30;
Cork Constitution v St. Mary’s College,Temple Hill,2.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Garryowen,Thomond Park,7.30;

Division 1B:Ballynahinch v Old Belvedere,Ballymacarn Park,2.30;
Dungannon v Ballymena,Stevenson Park,2.30;
Galwegians v Young Munster,Crowley Park,2.30;
U.C.C. v Buccaneers,Mardyke,2.30;

Division 2:Belfast Harlequins v Terenure College,Deramore Park,2.30;
D.L.S.P. v Thomond,Kirwan Park,2.30;
Dublin University v Bruff,College Park,2.30;
Highfield v Greystones,Woodleigh Park,2.30;
Lansdowne v Corinthians,RDS Ballsbridge,2.30;
Malone v Clonakilty,Gibson Park,2.30;
Old Wesley v Old Crescent,Donnybrook,2.30;
U.C.D. v Bective Rangers,Belfield,2.30;

Division 3:Ards v Midleton,Hamilton Park,2.30;
Instonians v Co. Carlow,Shaws Bridge,2.30;
Nenagh Ormond v Navan,New Ormond Park,2.30;
Queens University v Naas,Dub Lane,2.30;
Rainey Old Boys v Banbridge,Hatrick Park,2.30;
Sunday’s Well v Connemara,Musgrave Park,2.00;
Suttonians v Barnhall,Station Road,2.30;
Wanderers v Portadown,Merrion Road,2.30;

Munster Junior League Division 1:Ballincollig v Cobh Pirates,Tanner Park,2.30;

Gleeson League:Clonmel v Young Munster,Clonmel,2.30;
Garryowen v Bruff,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Richmond v Cashel,Richmond Park,2.30;

Evans League:Galbally v Carrick-on-Suir,Galbally,2.30;
Thurles v Newport,Thurles,2.30;

Under 21 South Western Conference Division 1 Section A:Corinthians v Dolphin,Corinthian Park,2.30;
U.C.C. v Young Munster,Curaheen Road,2.30;

Section B:Buccaneers v Bruff,Dubarry Park,2.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Cork Constitution,Annacotty,2.30;

Division 2 North:Clanwilliam v Cashel,Clanwilliam Park,2.30;
Newcastle West v Kilfeacle,Newcastle West,2.30;

Junior 2 Friendly:Thomond v Shannon,Fitzgerald Park,12.30;

Schools Senior Friendly:C.B.C. v Methody School,Lansdowne,2.00;
C.B.C. B v Methody School B,Lansdowne,2.00;
Crescent Comp v Blackrock,Dooradoyle,12.00;
St. Munchin’s v Belvedere College,Corbally,11.00;

Schools Junior Friendly:Ard Scoil Ris v Presentation Bray,Ard Scoil Ris,1.30;
Crescent Comp v Blackrock,Dooradoyle,12.00;
P.B.C. v Castletroy College,Wilton,11.30;
St. Munchin’s v Belvedere College,Corbally,11.00;

South Under 19 League:Highfield v Fermoy,,Cois Laoi,11.00;

South Under 19 Development League:Bandon v Kinsale,Bandon,11.30;
Dunmanway v Highfield B,Dunmanway,11.00;
Youghal v Douglas,Youghal,11.30;

Under 17 League:Ballincollig v Bandon,Tanner Park,11.00;
Old Christians v Crosshaven,Rathcooney, 12.00;

South Under 15 League Section A:Charleville v Sunday’s Well,Charleville,tbc;
Cobh Pirates v Fermoy,Cobh,tbc;
Kanturk v Cork Constitution,Kanturk,10.30;
Mallow v Midleton,Mallow,tbc;,
Muskerry v Youghal,Muskerry,12.30;
P.B.C v Old Christians,Wilton,11.00;

Section B:Bandon v Kinsale,Bandon,tbc;
C.B.C v Highfield,Lansdowne,11.00;
Carrigaline v Ballincollig,Carrigaline,11.00;
Clonakilty v Dunmanway,The Vale,11.00;
Crosshaven v Skibbereen,Crosshaven,2.00;

West Under 17 League Semi Finals:Killarney v Abbeyfeale,Killarney,12.00;
Tralee v Castleisland,Tralee,12.00;

Under 19 Friendly:Midleton v Midleton College,Towns Park,11.00;

Under 14 Friendly:Midleton v Highfield,Towns Park,10.30;

Womens AIL:
Division 2:Nenagh Ormond v Tralee,Nenagh,1.00;

Munster Girls Under 19 League:Thurles v Shannon,Thurles,1.00;

SUNDAY 13th DECEMBER
Munster Junior League Division 1:Cashel v Thurles,Cashel,2.30;
Clonmel v Richmond,Clonmel,2.30;
Kilfeacle v Tralee,Kilfeacle,2.30;
Skibbereen v Crosshaven,Skibbereen,2.30;
Waterpark v St. Senan’s,Ballinakill,2.30;

Division 2:Bandon v Youghal,Bandon,2.30;
Kanturk v Ennis,Kanturk,2.30;
Kinsale v Galbally,Kinsale,2.30;
Muskerry v Clanwilliam,Ballyanly,2.30;
Old Christians v Newport,Rathcooney,2.30;
St Mary’s v Newcastle West,Corbally,2.30;

Division 3 Section A:Kilrush v Abbeyfeale,Kilrush,2.30;
Killarney v Corca Dhuibhne,Killarney,2.30;
Castleisland v Killorglin,Castleisland,2.30;
Presentation v Scariff,Rathuard,2.30;

Section B:Mallow v Carrick-on-Suir,Mallow,2.30;
Dungarvan v Douglas,Dungarvan,2.30;
Charleville v Fermoy,Charleville,2.30;
Shandon v Waterford City,Whitechurch,2.30;

Munster Seconds League North:Garryowen v U.L. Bohemian,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Nenagh Ormond v Young Munster,Nenagh,2.30;
Old Crescent v Bruff,Rosbrien,2.30;
Shannon v Thomond,Coonagh,2.30;

Munster Seconds League South:Midleton v Sunday’s Well,Towns Park,2.30;
U.C.C. v Dolphin,Curaheen Road,2.30;

Junior 2 League South Section A:Castleisland v Listowel,Castleisland,12.30;
Tralee v Kanturk,Tralee,12.00;

Section B:Bantry Bay v Kinsale,Bantry,2.30;
Dunmanway v Bandon,Dunmanway,12.00;
Skibbereen v Clonakilty,Skibbereen,12.00;

Section C:Muskerry v Sunday’s Well,Ballyanly,12.00;
U.C.C. v Ballincollig,Curaheen Road,12.00;

Section D:Cobh Pirates v Carrigaline,Cobh,12.00;
Crosshaven v Cork Constitution,Crosshaven,12.00;

Junior 3 League South Section A:Ballincollig v Cork Transport,Tanner Park,12.00;

Section B:Dolphin v Fermoy,Musgrave Park,12.00;

Gleeson League: Kilfeacle v Clanwilliam,Kilfeacle,12.00;

Evans League:Waterford City v Clonmel,Waterford,2.30;

Junior 2 Friendly:Old Christians v U.C.C.,Rathcooney,12.00;

East Under 19 Quarter Finals:Clonmel v Clanwilliam,Clonmel,11.00;
Kilfeacle v Fethard,Kilfeacle,12.00;

East Under 17 Quarter Finals:Carrick-on-Suir v Nenagh Ormond,Carrick-on-Suir,11.00;
Dungarvan v Waterford City,Dungarvan,11.00;
Kilfeacle v Fethard,Kilfeacle,10.45;
Waterpark v Clanwilliam,Ballinakill,11.00;

East Under 15 League Section A:Fethard v Clonmel,Fethard,11,00;
Waterpark v Carrick-on-Suir,Ballinakill,11.00;

Section B:Clanwilliam v Nenagh Ormond,Clanwilliam Park,11.00;
Kilfeacle v Cashel,Kilfeacle,11.00;
Thurles v Galbally,Thurles,11.00;

North Under 19 League:Ennis v St. Mary’s,Ennis,11.30;

North Under 16 League:Kilrush v Newcastle West,Kilrush,11.00;
St. Senan’s v Newport,Jim Slattery Park,11.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Old Crescent,Annacotty,12.00;

North Under 15 League Section A:Ballina/Killaloe v U.L. Bohemian,Scariff,11.30′
Newcastle West v Old Crescent,Newcastle West,11.30;

Section B:Bruff v Thomond,Bruff,11.30;
Ennis v Garryowen,Lees Road,12.00;
Young Munster v Shannon,Derryknockane,11.30;

North Under 14 League:Bruff v St. Senan’s,Bruff,11.30;
Ennis v Shannon,Lees Road,11.00;
Garryowen v St. Mary’s,Dooradoyle,11.30;
Kilrush v Scariff,Kilrush,12.00;
U.L. Bohemain Eagles v Newcastle West,Annacotty,11.00;

North Under 13 League:Bruff v Newport,Bruff,11.00;
Old Crescent v U.L. Bohemian Eagles,Rosbrien,11.30;
Shannon v Garryowen,Coonagh,11.30;
U.L. Bohemain Hawks v Young Munster,Annacotty,10.45;

Under 17 Friendly:Old Crescent v Garryowen,Rosbrien,11.30;
Thomond v U.L. Bohemian,Fitzgerald Park,12.00;

Womens AIL Division 1:Galwegians v Cooke,Crowley Park,1.00;
Navan v Highfield,Navan,1.00;
St. Mary’s v Clonmel,Templeville Road,1.00;
U.L. Bohemian v Ballincollig,Annacotty,1.00;

Division 2 South:Clanwilliam v Young Munster,Clanwilliam Park,1.00;
Shannon v Galbally,Coonagh,1.00;
Youghal v Thurles,Youghal,1.00;

TUESDAY 15th DECEMBER
Mungret Shield Quarter Final:Newtown School v Limerick CBS,Newtown,2.30;

Limserick Schools City Shield Final:Crescent Comp. v Glenstal Abbey,Rosbrien,2.30;

WEDNESDAY 16th DECEMBER
Limserick Schools City Cup Final:Crescent Comp. v St. Munchins,TBA,2.30;

Schools Senior Friendly:P.B.C. v Rockwell,Wilton,2.30;

Schools Junior Friendly:P.B.C. v Rockwell,Wilton,2.30;