Weekend Preview

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

In Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League, Garryowen, who are propping up the table, lock horns with defending champions Cork Constitution at Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues were defeated 42-26 by Terenure College in Dublin last time out, but they returned with a bonus point as they scored four tries. Cork Constitution, who have climbed up to fifth, were held to a 27-27 draw by St Mary’s College on Leeside. They also scored four tries to claim a bonus point.

Sixth-placed Young Munster travel to the Capital to take on St Mary’s College at Templeville Road. Young Munster were defeated 31-24 by City of Armagh in Limerick, but finished with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. St Mary’s College go into the tie on the back of a 27-27 draw with Cork Constitution on Leeside.

Nenagh Ormond, who are second in Division 1B, welcome Naas to North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond go into the tie on the back of a 42-15 away win over Shannon, where they claimed all points on offer. The County Kildare side have slipped to sixth, following their 38-10 home defeat by Blackrock College.

Third-placed UCC travel to Dublin to take on Blackrock College at Stradbrook. The Leeside Students claimed all points on offer from their Colours Match against Dublin University, where they ran out 25-20 home winners. Blackrock College have climbed up to fifth following their 38-10 away win over Naas. The Dublin side are level on points with Old Wesley, but behind on scoring difference.

Shannon, who are hovering above the relegation zone, are also in the Capital, as they take on leaders Old Belvedere at Ollie Campbell Park. Shannon were defeated 42-15 by Nenagh Ormond at Thomond Park last time out. They are level on points with Queen’s University, but ahead on scoring difference. The Dublin side defeated Queen’s University 43-24 in Belfast in their last game.

Highfield and Queen’s University lock horns in a basement clash at Woodleigh Park. Highfield go into the tie on the back of a run of six successive defeats, including last time out, when they lost 55-14 to Old Wesley in Dublin. The Belfast Students were defeated 43-24 at home by Old Belvedere in their last game.

The game of the day in Division 2A is the meeting of third-placed Cashel and Instonians, who are second, in the Premier County. The Tipperary side recorded a narrow bonus point 41-39 away win over Galway Corinthians. Instonians go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 61-29 home win over MU Barnhall, where they claimed all points on offer.

Old Crescent face a tricky task as they welcome MU Barnhall to Takumi Park. Old Crescent are seventh following their 29-24 bonus point home win over Ballymena. The County Kildare side, who are fourth, were defeated 61-29 by Instonians in Belfast.

UL Bohemian, who have slipped to fifth in Division 2B, will have their work cut out, as they entertain second-placed Dungannon at  the 4GUL. The Limerick side were defeated 30-21 by Malone in Belfast, which leaves them two points adrift of the top four. Dungannon go into the tie on the back of a narrow 28-27 home win over Galwegians.

Unbeaten Division 2C leaders Midleton, welcome Clonmel, who are fifth, to East Cork. Midleton returned with maximum points from their trip to County Tyrone, where they defeated Omagh Academicals 41-7. Clonmel claimed a losing bonus point from their 26-19 defeat by Enniscorthy in South Tipperary.

Third-placed Dolphin are away to Enniscorthy, who have climbed up to sixth. Dolphin recorded a narrow 28-27 victory over Ballyclare on Leeside, where they claimed all points on offer. The County Wexford side recorded a 26-19 away win over Clonmel last time out.

Bruff, who are hovering above the drop zone, lock horns with Omagh Academicals in their basement clash. Bruff recorded their first win of the campaign last time out as they claimed all points on offer from her 22-8 victory over Tullamore in County Offaly. Bruff are tied with Omagh Academicals on eight points, but are ahead on scoring difference. The Ulster side were defeated 41-7 at home by Midleton in their last game.

Junior Preview

Locally, there is action in an assortment of Men’s and Women’s competitions.

On Saturday, Charleville welcome Castleisland to Smith’s Road for their Munster Junior Club’s Challenge Shield quarter final. The winners will be rewarded with a home semi-final tie against Ballincollig or Clanwilliam, who meet at Tanner Park.

Youghal take on Ardscoil Old Boys in Division 3 of the Junior League at the East Cork venue. Youghal will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they aim grind out a maximum-point win, which would see them three points behind unbeaten Carrick-on-Suir in second place. The Seasiders were defeated 22-14 by Carrick-on-Suir in their last game, while Ardscoil Old Boys were also defeated 29-14 by the South Tipperary side. This game also doubles up as Martin O’Sullivan Cup quarter final. The winners will be away to Killarney or Dungarvan, who meet in the Kingdom on Sunday, in the semi-finals.

On Sunday, Crosshaven, who are propping up Division 1 of the Junior League, welcome Skibbereen to Myrtleville Cross. Crosshaven are still without a win but they returned from their 35-20 defeat by St Mary’s In Limerick with a bonus point, as they scored four tries. Skibbereen also claimed a losing bonus pint from their narrow 14-10 home defeat by Muskerry.

Mallow go head to head with near neighbours Kanturk in a North Cork derby. Mallow were defeated 29-10 by Thomond in Limerick in their last game. Kanturk will be looking to record their third away win, while they fell to their fourth home defeat, which they lost 24-18 to Newcastle West last time out. The Duhallow side also claimed a losing bonus point.

Thomond, who have maximum points from their games to date, are away to Newcastle West, who are hovering above the drop zone. Thomond claimed all points on offer from their 24-14 home win over Thurles, while Newcastle West were 24-18 away winners over Kanturk.

Fermoy, who are propping up Division 2, will have their work cut out as they welcome unbeaten Clanwilliam to the Showgrounds. Fermoy recoded their first win of the campaign last time out as they defeated Abbeyfeale 17-15 in West Limerick. Clanwilliam go into the tie on the back of a 31-14 bonus point victory over Charleville in Tipperary Town.

Douglas, who are bottom of Divisions 3, welcome Galbally-Mitchelstown to Castletreasure. Douglas were defeated 43-24 by Dungarvan in West Waterford, in a game which produced 11 tries. Douglas finished with a bonus point as they scored four tries. Galbally-Mitchelstown go into the tie on the back of a 21-3 home defeat by Killarney.

In the Munster Junior Club’s Challenge Cup, Richmond lock horns with St Mary’s in a Limerick City derby at Canal Bank. The winners will be away to Bandon or Sunday’s Well, who meet in West Cork.

St Senan’s welcome Waterpark to the Banner County for their Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield quarter final. The winners will have home advantage in the semi-finals against Ennis or Old Christians.

Killorglin welcome Corca Dhuibhne to Mid Kerry, a week after their bonus point 47-15 victory over the Gaeltacht side in West Kerry, for their Martin O’Sullivan Cup quarter final. The winners will be at home to Carrick-on-Suir or Scariff, who meet at Tybroughney.

Dolphin welcome Roaring Water Bay to Virgin Media Park for their Munster Women’s Division 1 Cup opener. The winners will be away to Tralee in the semi-finals.

Shannon-TUS entertain Tralee in Division 1 of the Munster Women’s League at Coonagh. Tralee recorded a comprehensive 62-21 victory over Dolphin in their last game on Leeside. Shannon-TUS were defeated 31-19 by unbeaten leaders Ennis-Kilrush at Coonagh.

There is a top of the table clash in Division 2 Pool B between Mallow and Clonakilty in North Cork. The West Cork side ran out 31-7 away winners over Midleton last time out. Mallow fell to a heavy 49-0 defeat in their last game, when they met Clonakilty in West Cork.