Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

The Men’s and Women’s All Ireland Leagues resume after a two-week break, with a full program of games.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League, Young Munster face a tricky task, as they travel to the Capital to take on leaders Clontarf at Castle Avenue. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 36-21 bonus point home win over Lansdowne. The Dublin side ran out narrow 20-16 away winners over Cork Constitution.

Champions Cork Constitution make the long trip north to take on City of Armagh at the Palace Grounds. The Leesiders claimed a losing bonus point from their 20-16 home defeat by Clontarf, which sees them slip to sixth. The Ulster side have climbed out of the relegation places following their 30-26 away win over Terenure College.

Garryowen entertain UCD in a basement clash at Dooradoyle. The Limerick side have slipped down the table, following their 33-7 defeat by Ballynahinch in County Down. The Dublin Students are propping up the table, following a 29-21 home defeat by St Mary’s College.

Nenagh Ormond welcome Queen’s University to North Tipperary for their Division 1B encounter. Nenagh Ormond got back to winning ways, following their one-point home defeat by Old Belvedere, as they defeated Highfield 31-22 on Leeside last time out. The Belfast Students have moved off the foot of the table following their 38-22 home victory over Blackrock College.

UCC go head to head with Old Wesley at the Mardyke. The Leeside Students have slipped to third following their narrow 34-30 defeat by Naas in County Kildare, from which they returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Old Wesley have climbed up to fifth and are four points adrift of the top four. They were defeated  21-16 by Old Belvedere in a Dublin derby and claimed a losing bonus point.

Shannon, who have climbed up to seventh, travel to the Capital to take on Blackrock College, who have slipped to sixth, at Stradbrook. The Limerick side ran out 20-15 winners over Dublin University at Thomond Park, while the Dublin side were defeated 38-22 by Queen’s University in Belfast.

Highfield, who are now propping up the table, are away to leaders Old Belvedere. Highfield lost 31-22 at home to Nenagh Ormond. Old Belvedere recorded a narrow 21-16 away win over Old Wesley.

Cashel, who are unbeaten in second place in Division 2A, go head to head with struggling Navan in the Premier County. Cashel ran out narrow 25-22 winners over Greystones in County Wicklow. Navan, who are ninth, go in to the tie on the back of a 50-24 home defeat by MU Barnhall.

Old Crescent, who have climbed up to sixth, travel to Belfast to take on Instonians, who have slipped to fourth, with eight points separating these sides. Old Crescent claimed all points on offer from their 43-12 home win over bottom side Buccaneers last time out. The Belfast side claimed a losing bonus point from their 21-15 away defeat by leaders Galway Corinthians.

In Division 2B, UL Bohemian, who are fourth, travel to Galway to take on struggling Galwegians at Crowley Park. UL Bohemian recorded a narrow 26-24 maximum-point victory over Wanderers at UL 4G last time out. The Galway side were defeated 26-24 by Malone in Belfast, but claimed a losing bonus point to move off the foot of the table.

Unbeaten Division 2C leaders Dolphin, travel to Belfast to take on Belfast Harlequins, who are fourth. Both these sides were relegated from Division 2B last season. Dolphin go into the tie on the back of a 43-21 bonus point victory over Monkstown at Virgin Media Park. Belfast Harlequins were defeated 29-21 by Clonmel in South Tipperary.

Second-placed Midleton, who are also unbeaten, welcome bottom side Bruff to East Cork. Midleton recoded a narrow 18-11 away win over Tullamore last time out. The County Limerick side are still without a win, but have three losing bonus points to their credit. They were defeated 35-19 at home by Enniscorthy.

Fifth-placed Clonmel travel to County Antrim, to take on third-placed Ballyclare, with one point separating these sides. Clonmel go into the tie on the back of a 29-21 home win over Belfast Harlequins. Ballyclare were held to a 19-19 draw by Omagh Academicals at the County Tyrone venue.

In the Women’s All Ireland League, second-placed UL Bohemian lock horns with Ballincollig, who have slipped to sixth, at the UL 4G pitch. The Limerick side claimed all points on offer last time out as they ran out 94-0 winners over Cooke in Belfast. The Mid Cork side were defeated 40-10 by Old Belvedere at Tanner Park.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

The fifth round of games in Division 1 and 2 of the Men’s Munster Junior League are scheduled this weekend and two games in the Women’s Munster League.

On Saturday in Division 1 of the Men’s Munster Junior League, leaders and defending champions Thomond welcome Mallow to Liam Fitzgerald Park. The Limerick side have maximum points from their games to date and they go into the tie on the back of a 42-31 away win over Kanturk. The North Cork side, who are three points clear of the drop zone, fell to a 29-21 home defeat by Sunday’s Well.

Skibbereen lock horns with near neighbours Clonakilty in a West Cork derby at the Carbery Showgrounds. Skibbereen, who are two points adrift  of the top Four, go in to the tie on the back of a 20-11 away win over Thurles. Clonakilty were narrowly defeated 24-22 by Kilfeacle in a thriller at The Vale and claimed a losing bonus point.

On Sunday in Division 1, second-placed Bandon lock horns with Muskerry at Old Chapel. The West Cork side claimed all points on offer from their comprehensive 45-3 away win over Crosshaven. The Sky Blues surrendered their unbeaten run as they lost 17-5 to Richmond in Limerick.

Kilfeacle, who are third, welcome Crosshaven to West Tipperary. Kilfeacle recorded a narrow 24-22 victory over Clonakilty in West Cork, where they claimed all points on offer. The Seasiders, who are seeking their first win, go into the tie on the back of a heavy 45-3 home defeat by Bandon.

Fourth-placed St Mary’s go head to head with bottom side Thurles at Grove Island. St Mary’s recorded a narrow 25-20 away win over Newcastle West. Thurles are still seeking their first win following their 20-11 home defeat by Skibbereen.

Sunday’s Well, who have won their last two games, entertain Newcastle West at Virgin Media Park. Sunday’s Well recorded a maximum-point 29-21 away win over Mallow, while the West Limerick side claimed a losing bonus point form their 25-20 home defeat by St Mary’s.

Runaway leaders in Division 2 Clanwilliam, who have maximum points from their games to date, entertain Waterpark in Tipperary Town. Clanwilliam go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 57-10 away win over Abbeyfeale. The Waterford side, who are four points clear of the drop zone claimed all points on offer from their 33-24 victory over Kinsale.

Second-placed Old Christians, go head to head with Ennis, who are third at Rathcooney. Old Christians recorded a bonus point 36-13 away win over Cobh Pirates, while the Clare side also claimed maximum points from their 28-21 away victory over Castleisland.

Fourth-placed Fethard welcome St Senan’s to South Tipperary. Fethard were defeated 20-13, by Charleville at the North Cork venue but returned with a losing bonus point. The Banner County  side were defeated 36-20 by Cobh Pirates in their last game in East Cork, but they finished with a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Ballincollig entertain Charleville, with three points separating these sides. Ballincollig recorded a comprehensive 56-12 away win over Fermoy, where they claimed all points on offer. Charleville won their last two games, including last time out, when they defeated Fethard 20-13 in North Cork.

Tralee welcome Cobh Pirates to the Kingdom, with both sides presently occupying the mid-table places. The Kerry side claimed a losing bonus point from their 25-20 home defeat by Charleville, while Cobh Pirates were defeated 36-10 at home by Old Christians.

Kinsale, who presently occupy one of the mid-table places, entertain bottom side Fermoy. The Seasiders were defeated 33-24 by Waterpark on Suirside last time out. Fermoy, who are still without a win, but have two losing bonus points to their credit, were defeated 56-12 by Ballincollig at the Showgrounds.

Abbeyfeale entertain Castleisland in a basement clash. Abbeyfeale, who are tied with Fermoy on two bonus points go in search of their first win, following their heavy 57-10 home defeat by Clanwilliam. The Kerry side were defeated 29-21 at home by Ennis last time out.

In Division 3, leaders Youghal, who have maximum points from their games to date, welcome Killorglin to East Cork. The Seasiders recorded a narrow 27-25 away win over Killarney, where they claimed all points on offer. Killorglin recorded their first win of the campaign, defeating Ardscoil Old Boys 13-3 in Mid Kerry.

Corca Dhuibhne, who are also unbeaten, host Douglas in the West Kerry Gaeltacht. Corca Dhuibhne returned with maximum points from their 29-19 victory over Scariff in East Clare. Douglas go into the tie on the back of a 35-15 home defeat by Waterford City.

Waterford City go head to head with Killarney on Suirside. The Suirsiders go into the tie on the back of a bonus point 35-15 home win over Douglas. The Kingdom side claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 27-25 home defeat by Youghal.

Carrick-on-Suir, who are unbeaten, with a game in hand, travel to Limerick to take on Ardscoil Old Boys. The South Tipperary side ran out comprehensive 47-17 bonus point winners over Killorglin at Tybroughney last time out. Ardscoil Old Boys were defeated 13-3 by Killorglin in the Kingdom.

Galbally-Mitchelstown entertain Scariff in County Limerick, with both sides seeking their first win of the campaign. Galbally-Mitchelstown claimed their second losing bonus point from their 28-21 defeat by Dungarvan in West Waterford. Scariff, who are propping up the table on zero points, lost 29-19 at home to Corca Dhuibhne.

In Division 1 of the Munster Women’s League, Shannon-TUS lock horns with Ennis-Kilrush at Coonagh. The Clare side put up 85 points without reply against Dolphin in the Banner County last time out, while Shannon-TUS ran out 57-0 winners over Roaring Water Bay at Skibbereen.

In Division 2 Pool A, Thurles welcome Bruff to the Premier County, with both sides seeking their first points. Thurles were defeated 36-14 at home by UL Bohemian.