Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW:

It is a busy weekend as action continues in the Men’s All-Ireland League and proceedings get underway in the Women’s All-Ireland League.

The game of the day in Division 1A sees Garryowen travelling to the Capital to take on Clontarf at Castle Avenue. Both sides claimed maximum points on the opening day of the campaign as the Sky Blues narrowly defeated Lansdowne 29-27 at Dooradoyle. Clontarf recorded a 31-27 away win over newly-promoted St Mary’s College.

Young Munster welcome 2023 champions Terenure College to Tom Clifford Park, with both sides going in to the tie on the back of victories. The Limerick side recorded a narrow 24-22 away win over UCD. Terenure College avenged last season’s final defeat by Cork Constitution, running out 25-15 winners at Lakelands Park.

Defending champions Cork Constitution go in search of their first points of the campaign as they entertain Ballynahinch at Temple Hill. The Lilywhites were defeated 25-15 by Terenure College in Dublin, while Ballynahinch ran out 7-0 home winners over City of Armagh in their Ulster derby clash.

Nenagh Ormond travel to Dublin to take on Blackrock College in Division 1B. The North Tipperary side go into the tie on the back of a 27-3 bonus point home win over Dublin University. Blackrock College are seeking their first points, following their 29-13 away defeat by Old Wesley in a Dublin derby.

There is a Leeside derby at the Mardyke, which sees UCC locking horns with near neighbours Highfield. The Students are seeking their first points following their heavy defeat by Old Belvedere in Dublin. Highfield ran out narrow 19-17 home winners over Naas in their opener.

Shannon face a tricky task as they entertain Old Wesley at Thomond Park. The Limerick side returned from Belfast with a losing bonus point, following their opening day 19-13 defeat by Queen’s University. Old Wesley recorded a 29-13 victory over Blackrock College at Energia Park.

Cashel, who claimed all points on offer from their narrow 38-34 victory over Old Crescent in Limerick, welcome Banbridge to the Premier County in Division 2A. Banbridge were defeated 31-26 by MU Barnhall at the County Down venue, but finished with two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Old Crescent travel to County Meath, to take on Navan, with both sides seeking their first win of the campaign. Old Crescent go into the tie on the back of a 38-34 home defeat, where they finished with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Navan claimed a losing bonus point from their 16-13 opening day defeat by Greystones in County Wicklow.

In Division 2B, UL Bohemian travel to North County Dublin, to take on Skerries at Holmpatrick, with both sides going in to the tie on the back of maximum point wins. The Limerick side ran out 34-25 home winners over Sligo, while Skerries recorded a narrow 36-35 away win over Galwegians.

The game of the day in Division 2C is the meeting of Belfast Harlequins and Midleton at Deramore Park. Both sides claimed maximum points on the opening day as Midleton defeated Monkstown 34-28 at the East Cork venue. Belfast Harlequins defeated Enniscorthy 29-20 in County Wexford.

Dolphin welcome Omagh Academicals to Virgin Media Park. Dolphin recorded a 20-15 victory over Bruff in County Limerick, while Omagh Academicals ran out 31-28 bonus point home winners over Clonmel.

Clonmel host Tullamore in South Tipperary, with both sides seeking their first win of the campaign. Clonmel returned from County Tyrone with a losing bonus point, following their 31-28 defeat by Omagh Academicals. The County Offaly side were defeated 27-14 at home by Ballyclare.

Bruff are away to Monkstown with both sides having claimed a losing bonus point each from their respective openers. Bruff were defeated 20-15 at home by Dolphin while Monkstown were defeated 34-28 Midleton in East Cork.

The Women’s All-Ireland League gets underway this weekend as UL Bohemian travel to the Capital to take on Blackrock College at Stradbrook.

Ballincollig are away to Galwegians at Crowley Park.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

This weekend sees the opening games in Division 1 and 2 of the Munster Junior League.

On Saturday evening, Skibbereen welcome Kanturk the Carbery Showgrounds for their opener in Division 1, while Tralee welcome Watepark to the Kingdom in Division 2.

Defending champions Thomond lock horns with Division 2 champions St Mary’s for the second successive weekend, at Grove Island. They met last week in the Transfield Cup decider at Liam Fitzgerald Park, which Thomond won on a 24-15 scoreline, so another close encounter can be expected.

Bandon, who won the title in 2018, entertain 2022 champions Newcastle West at Old Chapel and both will want to avoid an opening day defeat.

There is a Cork derby at Myrtleville Cross, where newly-promoted Crosshaven take on Clonakilty. The West Cork side will hope to bounce back to winning ways after last weeks defeat by Mallow in the County Cup Final, which a last minute penalty decided the outcome.

Last season’s runners-up and recently-crowned Cork County Cup winners Mallow travel to West Tipperary to take on Kilfeacle and Muskerry welcome Thurles to Mid Cork.

Sunday’s Well go head to head with 2023 champions Richmond at Virgin Media Park.

Ennis, who were Division 3 champions and won the Martin O’Sullivan Cup last season, welcome Charleville, who were bottom of Division 1 for most of last season, to the Banner County, in their opening game in Division 2.

Old Christians lock horns with Fermoy in a Cork derby at Rathcooney and Kinsale host newly-promoted Castleisland at the South Cork venue.

Ballincollig face a tough opener as they entertain recently-crowned Garryowen Cup winners Clanwilliam, who were relegated last season, to Tanner Park.

Cobh Pirates are at home to St Senan’s and Fethard welcome Abbeyfeale to South Tipperary.