Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

Weather permitting, there is a full programme of games across the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues, with the fixtures being the reverse of the last round before Christmas.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League, defending champions Cork Constitution, who are fifth, travel to the Capital to take on second from bottom UCD at Belfield. When these sides met on Leeside in December, Cork Constitution claimed all points on offer, as they ran out 38-33 winners. The Dublin Students returned with two losing bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Bottom side Garryowen lock horns with Young Munster in a Limerick derby at Dooradoyle. Young Munster recorded a maximum-point 25-24 victory, courtesy of a last minute penalty, when these sides met at Tom Clifford Park. The Sky Blues claimed a losing bonus point.

Nenagh Ormond, who are second in Division 1B, welcome UCC to North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond recorded a 34-25 bonus point victory when they met UCC on Leeside before Christmas. This defeat saw the Students slip to fifth place, four points outside the top four.

Highfield and Shannon, who both occupy the relegation places, go head to head at Woodleigh Park. Highfield ran out 21-18 winners when they met Shannon on the Back Pitch at Thomond Park, to record their second win of the campaign, which still leaves them propping up the table. Shannon claimed a losing bonus point.

Cashel, who have slipped to fifth in Division 2A, will be looking to make the most of home advantage, as they welcome MU Barnhall to the Premier County. Cashel were defeated 30-17 by MU Barnhall in County Kildare last time out, with this result leaving the Tipperary side outside the top four on scoring difference.

Seventh-placed Old Crescent face a tricky task as they entertain Greystones at Takumi Park. The Limerick side remain in seventh place, eight points clear of the drop zone. Old Crescent were defeated 29-22, when these sides met in County Wicklow before Christmas, which saw Greystones climb up to fourth palce ahead of Cashel on scoring differences. The Limerick side claimed a losing bonus point.

UL Bohemian who have slipped out of the top four in Division 2B by a single point, welcome bottom side Malahide to 4GUL. Malahide recorded their second win of the campaign as they ran out 22-17 winners when these sides met in County Dublin, resulting in a losing bonus point for UL Bohemian.

The game of the day in Division 2C is the meeting of unbeaten leaders Midleton and third-placed Dolphin at Towns Park. These sides played out a 15-15 draw last time out at Virgin Media Park, in a game which also doubled up as a Munster Senior Cup tie.

Bruff, who are four points clear of the relegation zone, entertain Clonmel at Kilballyowen Park. Clonmel, who are four points adrift of the top four, ran out 28-22 winners when these sides met in South Tipperary. Bruff claimed a losing bonus point.

In the Women’s AIL, eighth-placed Ballincollig, who have a game in hand, will have their work cut out as they lock horns with unbeaten leaders Railway Union at Tanner Park. Railway Union put up 91 points without reply when these sides met in Dublin.

Second-placed UL Bohemian, entertain Galwegians at 4GUL. The Limerick side recorded a comprehensive 109-12 home win over Tullow in their last game. They will also be looking to make it two wins out of two over Galwegians as they recorded a 53-10 win when these sides met in Galway.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

It is also a busy weekend on the local scene with a full list of games in the Men’s Munster Junior League, the opening series of games in the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup and an assortment of Women’s Competitions.

On Friday Evening, Crosshaven and Sunday’s Well get the show on the road for 2025 as they go head to head in Division 1 of the Men’s Munster Junior League. Crosshaven have climbed out of the drop zone as the recorded a 26-10 bonus point home win over Skibbereen. Sunday’s Well, who are fourth, also claimed maximum points from their last game, when they defeated Clonakilty 31-20 at Virgin Media Park.

Division 3 leaders Youghal lock horns with near neighbours Dungarvan, who are fifth, at the East Cork venue on Saturday evening. Both sides go into the tie on the back of maximum-point victories over Killorglin and Douglas respectively.

Kilfeacle, who are second, entertain Richmond in West Tipperary on Sunday. Kilfeacle claimed all points on offer from their 35-6 home win over Bandon, while Richmond go into the tie on the back of a narrow 16-13 home win over Mallow.

Third-placed Bandon lock horns with Skibbereen in a West Cork derby at Old Chapel, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats to Kilfeacle and Crosshaven respectively.

Thurles face a tricky task, as they go head to head with Kanturk in the Premier County. Thurles were defeated 24-14 by Thomond in Limerick in their last game in November. The Duhallow side are looking to maintain their unbeaten record on the road, as they recorded a bonus point 29-15 away win over near neighbours Mallow.

Muskerry welcome St Mary’s to Ellis Park. The Sky Blues go into the tie on the back of a narrow 14-10 victory over Skibbereen in West Cork. St Mary’s, who are joint fifth with Kanturk, claimed all points on offer from their last game, where they defeated Crosshaven 35-20 in Limerick.

Newcastle West and Mallow go head to head in a basement clash at the West Limerick venue. Newcastle West were defeated 50-21 by Thomond in their last game at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Mallow, who are propping up the table, were defeated 16-13 away by Richmond but claimed a losing bonus point.

Joint leaders in Division 2 Old Christians, who are unbeaten, welcome Fethard to Rathcooney. Old Christians claimed all points on offer from their last game where they recorded a comprehensive 59-17 away win over Tralee. The South Tipperary side were held to a 10-10 draw at home by Ennis.

Clanwilliam, who share pole position and are also unbeaten, travel to the Banner County to take on St Senan’s. Clanwilliam ran out 33-9 away winners over Fermoy last time out, while St Senan’s were defeated 32-12 by Kinsale at the South Cork Venue.

Second-placed Kinsale, who are ten points behind the two joint leaders, make the relatively short trip to the Paddocks, to take on Cobh Pirates. Kinsale go into the tie on the back of 32-12 bonus point home win over St Senan’s. The Pirates recorded a narrow 10-5 away win over Ballincollig.

Ennis, who are third, entertain fourth-placed Ballincollig. Ennis were held to a 10-10 draw by Fethard in the Premier County. Ballincollig claimed a losing bonus point from their 10-5 home defeat by Cobh Pirates.

Charleville welcome Abbeyfeale to Smith’s Road, with both sides coming off the back of defeats. Charleville lost 31-14 to Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town. Abbeyfeale, who are hovering above the drop zone, fell to a narrow 17-15 home defeat by Fermoy, where they claimed a losing bonus point.

Fermoy, who are second from bottom host Waterpark at the Showgrounds. Fermoy were defeated 33-9 by Clanwilliam, while the Suirsiders claimed a bonus point from their narrow 24-23 defeat by Castleisland in the Kingdom.

Tralee lock horns with near neighbours Castleisland in a Kingdom derby at O’Dowd Park. Tralee who are propping up the table, were defeated 59-17 at home by Old Christians. Castleisland, who are three points above the drop zone, recorded a narrow 24-23 home win over Waterpark.

Unbeaten Carrick-on-Suir, who are second in Division 3, welcome Douglas to Tybroughney. Carrick-on Suir ran out 41-15 bonus point away winners over Waterford City last time out. Douglas recorded their first win of the campaign, claiming all points on offer as they recorded a 29-17 home win over Galbally-Mitchelstown.

Third-placed Killarney make the short trip to take on Killorglin, who are fifth in a Kerry derby. Killarney ran out 21-3 winners over Galbally-Mitchelstown in County Limerick, while Killorglin were defeated 37-8 by Youghal in East Cork.

Waterford City go head to head with Galbally-Mitchelstown at Kilbarry, with both sides going in to the tie on the back of defeats against Carrick-on-Suir and Douglas respectively.

Ardscoil Old Boys entertain Scariff at the UL Arena. Ardscoil Old Boys were defeated 29-14 by Carrick-on-Suir in November, while Scariff ran out 15-3 home winners over Dungarvan in West Waterford.

In the opening round of games in the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup, Shannon host Old Crescent at Coonagh and Young Munster entertain Bruff at Tom Clifford Park.

In Division 1 of the Munster Women’s League, second-placed Shannon-TUS go head to head with Dolphin, who are fourth at Coonagh. Shannon-TUS were defeated by leaders Ennis-Kilrush at Coonagh last time out, while Dolphin lost 62-21 against Tralee at Virgin Media Park.

Tralee welcome Roaring Water Bay, who are seeking their first points, to the Kingdom. Tralee returned from their comprehensive 62-21 victory over Dolphin at Virgin Media Park with maximum points. The West Cork side were defeated 57-0 by Shannon-TUS in their last game in October at the Carbery Showgrounds.

Thurles lock horns with Clonakilty in their quarter final replay in the Munster Women’s Division 2 Cup in the Premier County. They played out a 22-22 draw in West Cork. The winners will be away to UL Bohemian in the semi-finals.