Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW:

It is a busy weekend with as action continues in the Men’s All-Ireland League and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues with full programmes of games.

The game of the day in Division 1A is the meeting of champions Cork Constitution and Young Munster at Temple Hill. The Lilywhites claimed their first points last time out, as they ran out 51-21 maximum-point home winners over Ballynahinch. Young Munster are unbeaten in second place, following their 34-30 bonus point victory against Terenure College.

Garryowen, who have slipped to seventh, following their 29-21 away defeat by Clontarf, will be looking to get back to winning ways, as they welcome City of Armagh to Dooradoyle. The Ulster were defeated 32-22 at home by St Mary’s College. They are also propping up the table on a single losing bonus point.

In Division 1B, Nenagh Ormond travel to the Capital to take on Old Wesley at Energia Park. The North Tipperary side are unbeaten in second place behind Old Belvedere on ten points. Nenagh Ormond recorded a narrow 38-36 maximum-point win over Banbridge in County Down last time out. Old Wesley have slipped to sixth place following their 23-13 defeat by Shannon in Limerick.

Shannon will have their work cut out, as they welcome Naas to Thomond Park. The Limerick side ran out 23-13 home winners over Old Wesley at Thomond Park in their last game. Naas have climbed up third following their comprehensive 61-21 home win over Queen’s University at the County Kildare venue, where they claimed all points on offer.

UCC make the long tip to Belfast, to take on Queen’s University. The Leeside Students have climbed up to fifth place following their bonus point 39-14 home win over Highfield in a local derby. Queen’s University are hovering above the drop zone, following their heavy 61-21 away defeat by Naas.

Highfield, who have slipped to seventh, following their 39-14 away defeat by UCC in a Leeside derby, will be looking to get back to winning ways, as they entertain Dublin University at Woodleigh Park. The Dublin Students are now occupying the foot of the table on zero points, following their 43-19 home defeat by Old Belvedere.

Cashel, who are fourth in Division 2A, with maximum points from their games to date, travel to Athlone, to take on bottom side Buccaneers, who are seeking their first points of the campaign. Cashel recorded a 38-24 home win over Banbridge in the Premier County last time out. The Athlone side were defeated 76-21 by MU Barnhall in County Kildare.

Old Crescent, who have climbed up to fifth, go head the head with Banbridge, who are hovering above the drop zone, with both sides seeking their first win. Old Crescent returned from the Royal County with two points, following their 22-22 draw with Navan. Banbridge returned to County Down with a bonus point from their 38-24 defeat by Cashel, as they scored four tries.

UL Bohemian, who are fourth in Division 2B, will be looking to get back to winning ways as they take on Rainey at UL4G. The Limerick side were defeated 32-26 by Skerries in North County Dublin, but they returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Rainey claimed their first points last time out as they narrowly defeated Galwegians 17-15 in Magherafelt.

Fifth-placed Clonmel, who recorded a bonus point 35-11 home win over Tullamore, lock horns with unbeaten Dolphin at the South Tipperary venue in Division 2C. The Leesiders also claimed maximum points last time out as they recorded a comprehensive 53-15 home win over Omagh Academicals.

Midleton, who played out a 22-22 draw with Belfast Harlequins at Dermaore Park, face a tricky task as they welcome Ballyclare, who are on maximum points from their games to date, to East Cork. The County Antrim side go into the tie on the back of a 41-10 away win over Enniscorthy.

Bruff, who are hovering above the drop zone on two losing bonus points, host unbeaten Belfast Harlequins at Kilballyowen Park. Bruff were defeated 24-21 by Monkstown in Dublin last time out, while the Ulster side played out a 22-22 draw with Midleton in Belfast.

In the Women’s All-Ireland League, defending champions UL Bohemian, who began the campaign with a bonus point 31-15 away win over Blackrock College, face a tough assignment, as they welcome table toppers Railway Union to UL4G. Railway Union put up 57 points without reply against Old Belvedere in their opener at Willow Lodge.

Ballincollig, who returned with a losing bonus point from their 22-17 defeat by Galwegians at Crowley Park, lock horns with Suttonians at Tanner Park. Suttonians claimed all points on offer from their 29-7 home win over Cooke.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

There is a full program of games across all three divisions of the Munster Junior League.

There are two games in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League on Saturday.

Joint-leaders Kanturk, who recorded a bonus point victory in ten-try thriller as they defeated Skibbereen 34-31 at the West Cork venue, welcome St Mary’s to Duhallow. St Mary’s were defeated 26-15 by Thomond in a Limerick City derby at Grove Island.

Defending champions Thomond will be looking to make it two wins from two, as they entertain Sunday’s Well at Liam Fitzgerald Park.

Kilfeacle, who claimed all points on offer from their 35-10 home win over Mallow, travel to West Limerick, to take on 2022 champions Newcastle West.

Last season’s runners up Mallow will have their work cut out as they go head to head with Skibbereen at the North Cork venue. Mallow were defeated 35-10 by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary, while Skibbereen claimed two bonus points, as they scored five tries in their narrow 34-31 home defeat by Kanturk.

In other ties, 2023 champions Richmond welcome newly-promoted Crosshaven to Richmond Park, Clonakilty lock horns with Muskerry in a Cork derby at The Vale, and Thurles entertain Bandon in the Premier County.

Tralee, who were the only side to claim maximum points in Division 2, as they ran out 30-19 home winners over Waterpark, are away to Fermoy.

Ennis, who recorded a 15-10 home win over Charleville, are away to St Senan’s in a Clare derby.

Fethard, who ran out 15-10 home winners over Abbeyfeale, travel to Suirside to take on Waterpark, who were defeated 30-19 by Tralee in the Kingdom.

Abbeyfeale, who were defeated 15-10 by Fethard in South Tipperary and claimed a losing bonus point, welcome Ballincollig to West Limerick.

Charleville, who also claimed a losing bonus point from their 15-10 defeat by Ennis in the Banner County, lock horns with Old Christians in a Cork derby at Smith’s Road.

Elsewhere, Castleisland go head to head with Cobh Pirates at the Kerry venue.

In Division 3, proceedings get underway as Dungarvan lock horns with Waterford City in a local derby.

Youghal, who were relegated last season, make the long trip to East Clare, to take on Scariff.

Galbally-Mitchelstown, who were also relegated, are at home to Chorca Dhuibhne.

Killarney welcome Carrick-on-Suir to the Kingdom and Douglas entertain Ardscoil Old Boys.