Weekend Preview

The final series of games in the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues before the Christmas and New Year break are down for decision this weekend.

Locally there are a handful of games in an assortment of Men’s Junior competitions and Munster Women’s Division 1 and 2 Cups.

In Division 1 of the Men’s All-Ireland League, defending champions Cork Constitution, who are three points adrift of the top four in fifth place, welcome struggling UCD to Leeside. The Lilywhites go into the tie on the back of a narrow 19-17 victory over Garryowen in Limerick. The Dublin Students are second from bottom and five points adrift of safety. They were narrowly defeated 27-24 at home by Terenure College in a Dublin Derby.

It is derby day in Limerick, which sees Young Munster locking horns with bottom side Garryowen at Tom Clifford Park. Young Munster were defeated 26-24 by St Mary’s College in Dublin last time out, but returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. The Sky Blues claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 19-17 home defeat by Cork Constitution.

UCC, who slipped out of the top four, as they lost 25-5 to Blackrock College in Dublin, face a tough assignment, as they host Nenagh Ormond in Division 1B. The Leeside Students are three points adrift of the top four in fifth place. The North Tipperary side recorded a narrow 19-17 home win over Naas.

Shannon go head to head with Highfield at Thomond Park, with both sides occupying the relegation places. Shannon have slipped into the drop zone following their 39-24 defeat by Old Belvedere in Dublin, but they claimed a bonus point as they scored four tries. Highfield are propping up the table, following their 35-17 home defeat by Queen’s University on Leeside.

Cashel, who are third in Division 2A, travel to County Kildare to take on MU Barnhall, who are fourth. Cashel were defeated 40-25 by Instonians in the Premier County, while MU Barnhall defeated Old Crescent 29-21 in Limerick.

Old Crescent will have their work cut out, as they travel to County Wicklow to take on Greystones. Old Crescent remain in seventh place as they were defeated 29-21 at home by MU Barnhall. Greystones are two points adrift of the top four in fifth place, following their 28-12 away win over Ballymena.

UL Bohemian, who have climbed up to fourth, following their 33-26 home win over Dungannon, where they claimed all points on offer, are away to Malahide. Malahide, who are propping up the table, were defeated 29-22 by Galwegians, but returned from Galway with a losing bonus point.

The game of the day in Division 2C is the meeting of unbeaten leaders Midleton and second-placed Dolphin at Virgin Media Park. Midleton recorded a narrow 24-20 home win over Clonmel last time out, where they claimed all points on offer. Dolphin returned with a losing bonus point from their 12-5 defeat by Enniscorthy at the County Wexford venue. This game also doubles up as a Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup tie.

Clonmel, who have slipped to seventh, entertain eight-placed Bruff, in South Tipperary. Clonmel returned with a bonus point from their narrow 24-20 defeat by Midleton in East Cork. The County Limerick side go into the tie on the back of their second successive victory, where they ran out 27-19 home winners over Omagh Academicals.

Defending Women’s All-Ireland League champions UL Bohemian have two games before the Festive Season.

They travel to Galway to take on Galwegians at Crowley Park on Saturday. The Limerick side recorded a comprehensive 59-19 away win over Wicklow in their last game. Galwegians have slipped to sixth, as they were defeated 34-7 by Old Belvedere in Dublin last time out.

Next Tuesday, UL Bohemian welcome bottom side Tullow to UL 4G. Tullow were defeated 51-8 by Blackrock College at the County Carlow venue.

Ballincollig will have their work cut out, as they travel to the Capital to take on unbeaten leaders Railway Union. Ballincollig were defeated 49-5 by Wicklow in the Garden County. Railway Union put up 115 points without reply against Cooke in Belfast.

On Saturday in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, Clonakilty welcome defending champions and pacesetters Thomond to The Vale. The West Cork side were defeated 31-20 by Sunday’s Well in their last game but are three points clear of the drop zone. Thomond, who are second, claimed all points on offer from their last game, where they ran out 24-14 home winners over Thurles. This game also doubles up as a Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup quarter final. The winners will have home advantage in the semi-finals against Newcastle West or Kilfeacle, who meet in West Limerick on Sunday.

Youghal go head to head with Killorglin in Division 3 at the East Cork venue. Youghal surrendered their unbeaten run, losing 22-14 away to Carrick-on-Suir. The Kingdom side go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 47-15 away win over Corca Dhuibhne, where they claimed maximum points in the West Kerry Gaeltacht.

On Sunday, Richmond host bottom side Mallow at Canal Bank in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League. Richmond are four points clear of the relegation zone and they were defeated 19-10 by Bandon at the West Cork venue in their last game. Mallow go into the tie on the back of a 29-15 home defeat by Kanturk.

In the Munster Junior Club’s Challenge Shield, Ballincollig welcome Clanwilliam to Tanner Park. The winners will be away to Charleville in the semi-finals.

The second semi-final of the Munster Women’s Division 1 Cup takes place at Virgin Media Park, as Dolphin go head to head with Tralee. The winners will meet Ennis-Kilrush in the decider.

In the quarter finals of the Munster Women’s Division 2 Cup, Bruff welcome Mallow to Kilballyowen Park. The winners will be away to Midleton in the semi-finals.

UL Bohemian lock horns with Ballincollig at Annacotty. The winners will have home advantage in the semi-finals against Clonakilty or Thurles, who meet in West Cork.