Weekend Preview

It is a busy weekend as action resumes in the Energia Men’s All Ireland League after a three-week break.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League, second-placed Cork Constitution welcome defending champions Terenure College, who are third, to Temple Hill. The Leesiders claimed all points on offer from their 25-19 victory over Lansdowne on the Back Pitch of the Aviva Stadium last time out. Terenure College ran out 19-12 home winners over UCD in a Dublin Derby. Cork Constitution put up 20 points without reply when these sides met at Lakelands Park in October.

Shannon, who are ninth, are away to City of Armagh, who are hovering above the drop zone. The Limerick side ran out 20-14 winners over Ballynahinch at Thomond Park last time out, while City of Armagh claimed a losing bonus point from their 31-26 defeat by Dublin University at College Park. The Ulster side ran out 25-13 winners when they met Shannon in Limerick.

Sixth-placed Young Munster welcome bottom side Dublin University to Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick side were defeated 31-12 by leaders Clontarf in the Capital last time out, while the Dublin Students recorded a 31-26 home win over City of Armagh. Young Munster ran out 22-18 winners in October’s corresponding fixture, resulting in a losing bonus point for Dublin University.

Garryowen, who have slipped to fourth place in Division 1B, following their 21-10 defeat by Old Wesley in Dublin, welcome Queen’s University, who are second from bottom, to Dooradoyle. The Belfast Students recorded a 36-14 home win over Blackrock College. Queen’s University also won October’s corresponding fixture in Belfast 41-32, where they claimed all points on offer. Garryowen claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Highfield, who are fifth, travel to Athlone, to take on bottom side Buccaneers at Dubarry Park. Highfield recorded a maximum-point 24-17 home win over UCC last time out, while the Athlone side were defeated 36-28 by Old Belvedere in Dublin. Highfield claimed all points on offer from October’s corresponding fixture on Leeside, which they won 36-19.

UCC, who are hovering above the drop zone, face a tough assignment, as they lock horns with runaway leaders St Mary’s College at the Mardyke. The Leeside Students claimed a losing bonus point from their 24-17 defeat by Highfield in a Leeside derby. St Mary’s College ran out 31-17 winners over Naas at Lakelands All Weather Pitch last time out and they defeated UCC 37-25 at Templeville Road in October.

Division 2A leaders Nenagh Ormond travel to the Royal County to take on Navan, who are seventh. The North Tipperary side ran out comprehensive 52-7 home winners over Ballymena last time out, while the County Meath side recorded a narrow 19-15 away in over Banbridge. Nenagh Ormond ran out 46-6 bonus point winners in October’s corresponding fixture.

Cashel, who are third, will be looking to make the most of home advantage, as they take on Greystones, who are hovering above the drop zone. Cashel’s last win was when they defeated Old Crescent 19-13 at the Spafield in January. They drew 13-13 win Navan in County Meath, which was followed by successive defeats by MU Barnhall and Ballymena. Cashel claimed a losing bonus point from their 20-13 home defeat by Ballymena, while Greystones climbed up to eighth, following their 24-13 home win over UL Bohemian. Cashel ran out 32-20 winners, when they met Greystones in County Wicklow.

Fourth-placed Old Crescent welcome Ballymena, who have slipped to ninth following their heavy 52-7 defeat by Nenagh Ormond in North Tipperary, to Takumi Park. The Limerick side were defeated 24-3 by Nenagh Ormond in North Tipperary last time out. Ballymena defeated Old Crescent 34-10 , when these sides met in County Antrim.

UL Bohemian, who are sixth, entertain bottom side Malone at Annacotty. UL Bohemian were defeated 24-13 by Greystones in the Garden County last time out, while the Belfast side were defeated 36-22 at home by MU Barnhall. UL Bohemian defeated Malone 31-19, when these sides met in Belfast.

In Division 2B, Dolphin, who are second from bottom, welcome Skerries, who are seventh, to Virgin Media Park. The Leesiders picked up two valuable bonus points from their 29-28 defeat by Corinthians in Galway, as they scored four tries. Skerries were defeated 46-33 by bottom side Belfast Harlequins in County Dublin last time out. Skerries recorded a 25-15 victory when they met Dolphin at Holmpatrick in October.

Bruff, who are fourth in Division 2C, travel to County Down, to take on Bangor, who are second from bottom, following their heavy 48-15 defeat by Enniscorthy in the Model County. Bruff claimed all points on offer last time out, as they ran out 32-20 winners over Galwegians at the County Limerick venue. Bruff also defeated Bangor 29-15, when these sides met at Kilballyowen Park.

Midleton, who are sixth, face a tricky task, as they travel to County Tyrone, to take on leaders Clogher Valley at The Cran in Fivemiletown. Midleton claimed all points on offer from their 30-13 home win over Omagh Academicals, while Clogher Valley recorded a 29-15 victory over Clonmel in South Tipperary. Clogher Valley ran out 26-15 winners when they met Midleton at the East Cork venue.

Seventh-placed Clonmel, are away to Galwegians, who have climbed up to second, despite losing their last game 32-20 away to Bruff. Clonmel were defeated 29-15 at home by Clogher Valley last time out. Galwegians ran out 21-10 winners when these sides met in South Tipperary.

Junior Preview

It is another busy weekend on the local scene, with action across an assortment of men’s and women’s domestic competitions.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, holders Garryowen begin their defence of the trophy as they make the relatively short trip to West Tipperary, to take on Kilfeacle, the side they beat in last year’s final. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against Thurles in the next round.

Clonakilty, who won the trophy in 2001 welcome Clanwilliam, whose only triumph was in 1947, to The Vale. The winners will be away to 2019 winners Highfield.

Shannon welcome Mallow to Coonagh and the winners will be rewarded with home advantage in the quarter final against Garryowen, Kilfeacle or Thurles.

Cork Constitution entertain 2017 winners Bandon at Temple Hill and the winners will be at home to UCC or Old Crescent, who meet at Mardyke in the quarter finals.

St Mary’s and Castleisland go head to head at Grove Island and the winners will have a home quarter final tie against Thomond or Newcastle West, who meet at Liam Fitzgerald Park.

Young Munster welcome Skibbereen to Tom Clifford Park and the winners will be away to Highfield, Clanwilliam or Clonakilty in the quarter finals.

There are three Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate quarter finals down for decision.

Youghal, who won the trophy in 2002 welcome Ennis to East Cork and the winners will have a home semi-final tie with Cobh Pirates, whose only triumph was in 2003 or 2019 winners Tralee, who meet at the Paddocks.

UL Bohemian take on Fethard at Annacotty and the winners will be away to Killarney, who won the trophy in 2011 or Ardscoil Old Boys.

In the second semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl, Killorglin welcome 2017 winners Dungarvan to the Kingdom. The winners will meet Clonmel in the decider.

The Martin O’Sullivan Cup decider is down for decision as Killarney and Carrick-on-Suir go head to head at Virgin Media Park.

In Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, Muskerry travel to North Cork to take on relegated Charleville at Smith’s Road. This is the first of two games that the Sky Blues have outstanding, with the other being against Skibbereen. Charleville will be looking to finish a disappointing season on a winning note following their narrow 13-10 home win over Clanwilliam, which was their first victory. Muskerry were heavily defeated 43-7 by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary in their last game.

In Division 2, Ballincollig lock horns with Abbeyfeale at Tanner Park at the foot of the table. This is Ballincollig’s last game of the campaign, while the West Limerick side have two games outstanding, as they are also due to play Kinsale. Ballincollig claimed all points on offer from their narrow 30-28 victory over Cobh Pirates last time out, while Abbeyfeale were defeated 26-12 away by Fermoy.

In Division 1 of the Munster Women’s League, leaders Ennis-Kilrush welcome bottom side Dolphin to the Banner County. The Clare side claimed all points on offer from their comprehensive 50-12 victory over UL Bohemian at Annacotty last time out, while Dolphin go into the tie on the back of a heavy 47-8 defeat by Shannon-TUS at Virgin Media Park.

Tralee host UL Bohemian at O’Dowd Park. Tralee ran out 38-28 bonus point winners over Dolphin, while the Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a heavy 50-8 home defeat by Ennis-Kilrush.

In Division 2, Midleton lock horns with Bruff at Towns Park, with both of these sides tied in second place on 27 points apiece. The East Cork side recorded a 15-7 away win over Clonakilty last time out, while Bruff, who have a game in hand drew 22-22 with Mallow at Kilballyowen Park. The County Limerick side claimed a bonus point as they scored four tries.

Bantry Bay welcome Mallow to West Cork. Bantry Bay were defeated 26-12 at home by Midleton in their last game, while Mallow were defeated 29-17 by Clonakilty at the North Cork venue.