Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW:

It is a busy weekend as the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues resume with full program of games.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League, Cork Constitution travel to the Capital to take on Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. The Lilywhites have climbed up to third following their 25-5 home win over Young Munster last time out. Lansdowne have slipped to seventh, following their 28-22 defeat by Terenure College, where they claimed a losing bonus point.

Garryowen are also in Dublin, as they go head to head with St Mary’s College, with whom they were promoted last season, at Templeville Road. The Sky Blues are hovering above the drop zone following their 13-6 home defeat by City of Armagh, where they claimed a losing bonus point. St Mary’s College have slipped to fourth as they were defeated 36-33 by Ballynahinch in County Down, but returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Young Munster entertain Ballynahinch at Tom Clifford Park, with both sides presently occupying the mid-table places. The Limerick side, who are fifth, will have their work cut out, as they will be looking to get back to winning ways following their 25-5 defeat by Cork Constitution on Leeside. The Ulster side have climbed up to sixth as they claimed all points on offer from their 36-33 home win over St Mary’s College.

The game of the day in Division 1B is the meeting of unbeaten leaders Nenagh Ormond and second-placed Old Belvedere in North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond are unbeaten and they were held to a 22-22 draw by Old Wesley in Dublin, from which they returned with three points, as they scored four tries. Old Belvedere fell to their first defeat of the campaign, as they were defeated 35-34 by Blackrock College at Ollie Campbell Park. Old Belvedere claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Highfield, who currently sit in eighth, are away to Blackrock College, who are in seventh, with one point separating these sides. Highfield go in to the tie on the back of successive defeats by UCC and Dublin University. They claimed a losing bonus point last time out, going down 26-20 at home to Dublin University. Blackrock College recorded their first win of the campaign as they defeated Old Belvedere 35-34 away, to claim all points on offer.

Fourth-placed UCC lock horns with Shannon, who are sixth, at the Mardyke. The Leeside Students recorded their second successive bonus point win, as they defeated Queen’s University in Belfast last time out. The Limerick side go in to the tie on the back of a 23-18 defeat to Naas at Thomond Park, where they claimed a losing bonus point.

Cashel, who are third in Division 2A with maximum points from their games to date, welcome Ballymena, who are ninth, to the Premier County. Cashel put up 43 points without reply against Buccaneers in Athlone last time out. The County Antrim side claimed a losing bonus point from their 24-17 home defeat by MU Barnhall. This is Ballymena’s only point to date.

Old Crescent, who are seven points adrift of the top four on eight points, are away to leaders Galway Corinthians. Old Crescent recorded their first win of the campaign last time out, as they narrowly defeated 13-12 Banbridge in Limerick. The Galway side have maximum points from their games to date and they go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 63-23 away win over Navan.

In Division 2B, UL Bohemian, who have climbed up to third, following their narrow 17-15 home win over Rainey, travel to Fivemiletown in County Tyrone, to take on Clogher Valley. The Ulster side are two points adrift of the top four following their narrow 22-21 victory over Galwegians.

Division 2C leaders Midleton travel to County Wexford to take on Enniscorthy. The East Cork side go into the tie on the back of a bonus point 20-10 home win over Ballyclare, which saw Midleton claim pole position. The Model County side are seeking their first win of the campaign. They claimed their first three points from their 25-25 draw with Tullamore in County Offaly, as they scored four tries.

Dolphin, who have slipped to third, following their 10-10 draw with Clonmel in South Tipperary, welcome Tullamore, who are propping up the table, to Virgin Media Park. Tullamore claimed their only two points to date from their 25-25 draw with Enniscorthy in the Faithful County.

Bruff, who are currently on three points, after claiming a losing bonus point from each of their games to date, travel to County Antrim to take on Ballyclare. The County Limerick side were narrowly defeated 7-5 at home by Belfast Harlequins last time out. Ballyclare go into the tie on the back of a 20-10 defeat by Midleton in East Cork.

Clonmel, who have slipped to sixth place, travel to Dublin to take on Monkstown, who have climbed up to fifth. The South Tipperary side were held to a 10-10 draw at home by Dolphin last time out, while Monkstown defeated Omagh Academicals 26-15 in County Tyrone.

In the Women’s All-Ireland League, UL Bohemian are away to Old Belvedere, who are propping up the table, at Ollie Campbell Park. UL Bohemian go in to the tie on the back of a narrow 19-18 defeat by Railway Union at Annacotty. Old Belvedere are seeking their first points following their 15-7 home defeat by Blackrock College in a Dublin derby.

Ballincollig, who are eighth, travel to County Carlow to take on Tullow, who are ninth. Ballincollig are seeking their first win as they claimed their first two points from their 10-10 draw with Suttonians at Tanner Park. Tullow are seeking their first points.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

It is a quite weekend on the Junior scene with all the leagues postponed on the opening day of the season being refixed for this weekend, as well as one game in the Junior Clubs Challenge Shield and three ties in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup.

In Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, Crosshaven lock horns with Clonakilty at Myrtleville Cross on Saturday evening, with both sides seeking their first win of the campaign. Crosshaven drew 15-15 with Muskerry at the Mid Cork venue, while Clonakilty claimed a losing bonus point from each of their two games to date. Clonakilty were defeated 10-7 by Bandon in a West Cork derby last time out.

On Sunday, Bandon face a trick task as they entertain Newcastle West at Old Chapel. Bandon recorded narrow 10-7 home win over near neighbours Clonakilty. The West Limerick side returned with a bonus point from their 42-33 defeat by Skibbereen at the Carbery Showgrounds, as they scored four tries.

Muskerry will be looking to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign to three games, as they welcome Thurles to Ellis Park. Muskerry played out a 15-15 draw with Crosshaven. Thurles claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 26-23 defeat by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary.

Sunday’s Well will have their work cut out as they entertain Richmond at Virgin Media Park. The Leesiders are seeking their first win as they scored four tries to claim a second bonus point from their narrow 28-26 defeat by Kanturk. The Limerick side will be looking to get back to winning ways , following their 32-5 defeat by Thomond.

Ballincollig face a tricky task as they put their unbeaten start in Division 2 on the line against Clanwilliam, at Tanner Park. Ballincollig defeated Waterpark 30-15 to record their first bonus point win. Clanwilliam have maximum points from their games to date and they recorded a comprehensive 62-12 victory over Castleisland in Tipperary Town.

Cobh Pirates, who are propping up the table on a single losing bonus point, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count against St Senan’s as they aim to record their first win. The Pirates were defeated 26-6 by Ennis in the Banner County, while St Senan’s were defeated 34-0 by Old Christians at Rathccooney.

Kinsale welcome Castleisland to South Cork. The Seasiders ran out 47-33 maximum point away winners over Abbeyfeale, while Castleisland go into the tie on the back of a heavy 62-12 defeat by Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town.

Old Christians put their unbeaten run on the line as they lock horns with Fermoy, who are seeking their first win, at Rathcooney. Old Christians put up 34 points without reply against St Senan’s at Rathcooney, to claim all points on offer. Fermoy returned from South Tipperary with a losing bonus point from their 26-19 defeat by Fethard.

There is one tie in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Plate down for decision on Sunday, as Abbeyfeale entertain Waterpark at the West Limerick venue. The winners will be away to St Senan’s or Fethard in the quarter finals.

On Saturday evening, Youghal go head to head with Galbally-Mitchelstown in the opening round of the Martin O’Sullivan Cup. The winners will meet Ardscoil Old Boys in Limerick.

Killorglin go head to head with Douglas in Mid Kerry on Sunday. The winners will have home advantage against Corca Duibhne in the quarter finals.

Scariff welcome Waterford City to East Clare and the winners will be away to Carrick-on Suir.