Weekend Preview

Across a busy weekend, there are a full programmes of games in the Men’s and Women’s All Ireland Leagues, after a two week break.

Sixth-placed Young Munster travel to the capital, to take on leaders Clontarf in Division 1 of the Men’s All Ireland League. The Dublin side hold a single point lead over second-placed Cork Constitution, following their narrow 15-12 away win over City of Armagh. Young Munster, who are sixth, secured their place in Division 1A next season as they claimed all points on offer from their home 31-24 victory over UCD last time out. Clontarf ran out 44-39 winners when these sides met in Limerick in November.

Second-placed Cork Constitution are also in Dublin, as they go head to head with Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. The Lilywhites are just one point behind leaders Clontarf on 55 points, while Lansdowne have slipped to fourth following their 27-20 defeat by Terenure College at the Aviva Stadium. Cork Constitution ran out 38-24 maximum point home winners over Shannon last time out. They also recorded a 23-17 victory over Lansdowne, when these sides met on Leeside, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Dublin side.

Ninth-placed Shannon face a tricky task as they entertain Ballynahinch at Thomond Park. Shannon wee defeated 38-24 by Cork Constitution on Leeside last time out, while Ballynahinch recorded a narrow 19-15 home win over Dublin University. The County Down side also recorded a 31-5 home win when they met Shannon in November.

It is derby day on Leeside in Division 1B, as sixth-placed Highfield lock horns with UCC, who are hovering above the drop zone, at Woodleigh Park. Highfield were narrowly defeated 10-9 by runaway leaders St Mary’s College last time out, while the Students recorded a narrow 22-21 home win over Old Belvedere. UCC ran out 23-19 winners at the Mardyke in November, resulting in a losing bonus point for Highfield.

Garryowen, who have climbed up to third, after claiming maximum points from their comprehensive 56-5 home win over Naas, travel to the Capital to take on Old Wesley, who ran out 40-7 home winners over Blackrock College. The Sky Blues recorded an 18-12 home win when they met Old Wesley in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Dublin side.

Nenagh Ormond, who hold a six-point advantage over Cashel in Division 2A and have a game in hand, welcome Old Crescent, who have climbed up to fourth following their 36-14 victory over Banbridge in Limerick, to North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond were narrowly defeated 42-40 by Banbridge in County Down, but claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries, in their last game. The North Tipperary side ran out 26-6 away winners over Old Crescent in November’s corresponding fixture.

Second-placed Cashel travel to County Antrim to take on Ballymena, who have a game in hand. Cashel recorded a narrow 17-13 home win over UL Bohemian in Limerick last time out, while the County Antrim side, claimed all points on offer from their last game, which was a 34-31 win over UL Bohemian. The Tipperary side recorded a 17-13 home win when they met Ballymena in November, resulting in a losing bonus point for the County Antrim side.

UL Bohemian, who are sixth, travel to the Garden County, to take on Greystones, who have slipped to ninth, following their 22-15 defeat by MU Barnhall in County Kildare, where they claimed a losing bonus point. UL Bohemian were defeated 17-13 by Cashel in Limerick last time out. UL Bohemian ran out narrow 11-9 winners when they met Greystones in Limerick in November, resulting in a losing bonus point for the County Wicklow side.

Dolphin, who are ninth in Division 2B, are away to Galway Corinthians, who are third. Dolphin put up 21 points without reply against Rainey Old Boys at Virgin Media Park last time out, while the Galway side recorded a 26-20 away win over Belfast Harlequins. Galway Corinthians defeated Dolphin 45-17 when these sides met on Leeside in November.

In Division 2C, Bruff, who have slipped to fourth following their heavy 40-7 defeat by Clogher Valley in County Tyrone, entertain second-placed Galwegians, who were narrowly defeated 25-20 by Enniscorthy in the Model County. The Galway side also claimed a losing bonus point from their visit to County Wexford. November’s corresponding fixture in Galway ended in a 26-26 draw.

Sixth-placed Midleton welcome Omagh Academicals, who are hovering above the drop zone, to East Cork. Midleton recorded a narrow 15-10 away win over Ballina last time out, while Omagh Academicals were defeated 21-8 at home by Clonmel. The County Tyrone side won November’s corresponding fixture, resulting in a losing bonus point for Midleton.

Clonmel, who are seventh, go head to head with Clogher Valley in South Tipperary. Clonmel were defeated 21-8 by Omagh Academicals last time out in County Tyrone, while Clogher Valley recorded a 40-7 bonus point home win over Bruff. Clogher Valley ran out 45-6 maximum point winners when they met Clonmel in November.

In the Women’s All Ireland League, runaway leaders UL Bohemian travel to Belfast to take on Cooke at Shaw’s Bridge. The Limerick side claimed all points on offer as they recorded a comprehensive 58-5 away win over Galwegians. Cooke were defeated 36-10 by Ballincollig at Tanner Park. UL Bohemian defeated Cooke 57-5, when these sides met in Limerick in October.

Ballincollig, who are sixth, following their 36-10 home win over Cooke, travel to the Garden County to take on Wicklow, who were defeated 24-10 to Blackrock College in Dublin. Ballincollig recorded a narrow 17-18 victory when these sides met at Tanner Park, resulting in Wicklow’s only point to date.

Junior Preview

There is a full programme in the Munster Junior League, with two games doubling up as Munster Junior Cup ties and action in both Divisions 1 and 2 of the Munster Women’s League.

Scariff welcome 2019 Munster Junior Cup winners Highfield to East Clare and the winners will be rewarded with home advantage against Clanwilliam or Clonakilty.

Mallow, who are second in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, lock horns with near neighbours Kanturk, who are hovering above the drop zone. Mallow will be looking to maintain their aspirations of a top-four finish, while the Duhallow side, who are ten points clear of the drop zone, will be looking to take another step closer to safety. The winners of this game will be away to Shannon in the next round of the Munster Junior Cup.

Last year’s League champions Richmond host Bandon at Crescent Comprehensive. Richmond are seventh following their narrow 18-13 victory over Thomond. Bandon are 14 points clear of the relegation zone, following their 15-10 away defeat by Muskerry, where they claimed a losing bonus point. The winners of this game will be away to Cork Constitution in the next round of the Munster Junior Cup. These sides are due to meet again in West Cork in the semi-finals of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup.

Clanwilliam, who are second from bottom, welcome Clonakilty, who are two points adrift of the top four, to Tipperary Town. Clonakilty will be looking to maintain their challenge for a top-four finish following their 28-19 home defeat by Skibbereen in a West Cork derby. Clanwilliam, whose only win came on the opening day of the campaign when they defeated Muskerry 20-13 in Tipperary Town, are on eight points. Clanwilliam were defeated 16-7 by Thurles last time out, in a Premier County derby.

Skibbereen, who are tenth, welcome bottom side Charleville, who are still without a win, to the Carbery Showgrounds. Skibbereen are five points adrift of the top-four and they claimed maximum points from their 28-19 West Cork derby win over Clonakilty last time out. Charleville claimed their fifth losing bonus point from their narrow 23-21 home defeat by Kilfeacle.

The game of the day in Division 2 is the South Cork derby between third-placed Kinsale and Crosshaven, who are second, with four points separating these sides. Both sides claimed maximum points last time out as Kinsale ran out 46-26 away winner over Fermoy, while Crosshaven put up 31 points without reply against Ballincollig at Myrtleville Cross.

Unbeaten leaders St Mary’s entertain Fermoy at Grove Island. The Limerick side recorded a 22-17 bonus point away win over Waterpark last time out. Fermoy claimed a bonus point from their 46-26 home defeat by Kinslae, as they scored four tries.

Fourth-placed St Senan’s travel to Tanner Park to take on Ballincollig, who are second from bottom. The Clare side are eight points adrift of a top-four finish following their 24-19 home win over Fethard, where they claimed all points on offer. The Mid Cork side were defeated 31-0 away by Crosshaven last time out.

Tralee, who are fifth, welcome bottom side Youghal to the Kingdom. Tralee were defeated 32-3 by Cobh Pirates in East Cork last time out, while Youghal lost 24-10 at home to Old Christians.

Galbally-Mitchelstown, who are hovering above the drop zone following their 17-15 home win over Abbeyfeale, entertain Old Christians, who ran out 24-10 winners over Youghal at the East Cork venue.

Cobh Pirates, who were seventh following their maximum-point 32-3 home victory over Tralee, travel to South Tipperary to take on Fethard. Fethard claimed a losing bonus point from their 24-19 defeat by St Senan’s in the Banner County.

Abbeyfeale, who are two points clear of the drop zone, entertain Waterpark at the West Limerick venue. Abbeyfeale claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 17-15 away defeat by Galbally-Mitchelstown, while the Suirsiders recorded a narrow 14-12 home win over Ballincollig.

In Division 3, third-placed Ardscoil Old Boys lock horns with runaway leaders Ennis at 4GUL, with 13 points separating these sides. The Banner County side claimed all points on offer from their 29-14 home win over Carrick-on-Suir. Ardscoil Old Boys were defeated 31-23 by Carrick-on-Suir at Tybroughney, but claimed a bonus points as they scored four tries.

There are two derbies in the Kingdom.

Second-placed Castleisland make the relatively short trip to Killarney. Castleisland, who are second, recorded a 38-5 bonus point home win over Douglas, while Killarney claimed all points on offer from their 47-5 home win over Waterford City.

Killorglin host Chorca Dhuibhne in Mid Kerry. Killorglin recorded a narrow 22-18 victory over Waterford City on Suirside last time out, while the West Kerry Gaeltacht side claimed a losing bonus point from their 19-13 home defeat by Killarney.

Carrick-on-Suir lock horns with Waterford City at Tybroughney, with both sides going into the tie on the back of away defeats by Ennis and Killarney respectively.

Bottom side Douglas, who were defeated 38-5 by Castleisland at the Kerry venue, welcome Dungarvan to Castletreasure. The West Waterford side ran out 23-10 home winners over Scariff last time out.

UL Bohemian, who lead Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League, entertain Skibbereen at Annacotty. The Limerick side were defeated 19-12 by Shannon-TUS last time out, while Skibbereen were held to a 17-17 draw by Dolphin at Virgin Media Park.

Second-placed Shannon-TUS lock horns with Ennis-Kilrush, who are third, at Coonagh, with both sides tied on 18 points each. Shannon-TUS ran out 19-12 home winners over UL Bohemian last time out, while the Clare side recorded a bonus point 27-8 home win over Tralee.

Fourth-placed Tralee, who were defeated 27-8 by Ennis-Kilrush in the Banner County last time out, welcome Dolphin to the Kingdom. Dolphin’s only points to date came from their laast game which was a 17-17 draw against Skibbereen at Virgin Media Park.

In Division 2, leaders Bruff entertain fourth-placed Mallow, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats by Clonakilty and Thurles respectively.

Third-placed Midleton travel to the Vale to take on Clonakilty, who are fifth. Midleton recorded a 26-12 bonus point away win over Bantry Bay last time out, while Clonakilty claimed a losing bonus point from their 17-10 defeat by Thurles in the Premier County.

Sixth-placed Bantry Bay, who were defeated 26-12 at home by Midleton, entertain bottom side Ballincollig, who were defeated by Thurles at Tanner Park.