Weekend Preview

Check out our preview of this weekend’s domestic rugby below.

Senior Preview

The Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues continue with a full program of games this weekend.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League, defending champions Cork Constitution, who have climbed up to second, entertain City of Armagh, who are seven points clear of the relegation places. The Lilywhites claimed all points on offer last time out as they narrowly defeated St Mary’s College in Dublin. City of Armagh recorded a narrow 16-15 home win over Young Munster. The Leesiders ran out narrow 28-26 winners in November’s corresponding fixture, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Ulster side.

Bottom side Garryowen, travel to the Capital, to take on UCD, with both sides occupying the relegation places. Garryowen, who are propping up the table, fell to a 35-9 home defeat against Terenure College. UCD lost 22-10 at home to Ballynahinch. The Dublin Students ran out 29-19 winners when these sides met in Limerick.

Young Munster, who have slipped to seventh place following two successive defeats, will have their work cut out, as they lock horns with new leaders Clontarf at Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick side were narrowly defeated 16-15 by City of Armagh at the Ulster venue. Clontarf claimed all points on offer from their 49-46 home win over Lansdowne in a Dublin derby. Clontarf won November’s corresponding fixture 26-20, resulting a losing bonus point for Young Munster.

Nenagh Ormond, who are second in Division 1B, travel to Belfast to take on Queen’s University. Nenagh Ormond defeated Shannon 24-18 at the North Tipperary venue. The Belfast Students, who are sixth, go into the tie on the back of a heavy 71-14 defeat by Old Belvedere in Dublin. Nenagh Ormond ran out 22-14 home winners in November’s corresponding fixture.

UCC, who have slipped to fifth, following their narrow 24-21 away defeat by Dublin University, travel to the Capital, to take on Old Wesley at Energia Park. The Dublin side go into the tie on the back of a 13-6 defeat by Highfield on Leeside, where they claimed a losing bonus point. Old Wesley claimed all points on offer from November’s meeting at the Mardyke. The Leeside Students, who are five points adrift of the top four, claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Highfield, who are second from bottom, face a tricky task as they go head to head with leaders Old Belvedere at Woodleigh Park. Highfield defeated Old Wesley 13-6 last time out, while the Dublin side recorded a comprehensive 71-14 home win over Queen’s University. Old Belvedere claimed all points on offer from November’s corresponding fixture, running out 57-21 winners.

Shannon, who are propping up the table, entertain forth-placed Blackrock College at Thomond Park. The Limerick side returned with a losing bonus point from their 24-18 defeat by Nenagh Ormond in North Tipperary. Blackrock College go into the tie on the back of a bonus point 36-29 home win over Naas. The Dublin side ran out 24-10 home winners, when they met Shannon in the corresponding fixture.

Cashel, who are five points adrift of the top four in fifth place in Division 2A, travel to Royal County, to take on Navan, who have slipped to eighth. The Tipperary side ran out 13-5 home winners over Corinthians last time out, while Navan are nine points clear of the relegation places following their 29-21 away defeat by Banbridge. The County Meath side recorded a narrow 17-14 victory, when they met Cashel in the Premier County.

Old Crescent, who have climbed up the seventh, face a tricky task, as they welcome leaders Instonians to Takumi Park. Old Crescent ran out 27-22 winners over Ballymena in County Antrim last time out. The Belfast side go into the tie on the back of a narrow 35-31 victory over MU Barnhall in County Kildare. Instonians defeated Old Crescent 35-17 in November’s corresponding fixture in Belfast.

UL Bohemian, who have slipped to fifth place in Divison 2B, go head to head with Galwegians, who are sixth, at the UL Arena. Both sides go into the tie on the back of narrow home defeats by Malone and Dungannon respectively. The Limerick side ran out 27-22 winners when these sides met in Galway. UL Bohemian claimed all points on offer, while Galwegians claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Division 2C leaders Midleton travel to County Limerick, to take on Bruff, who are seven points clear of the drop zone in eighth place. Midleton were held to a 15-15 draw by Omagh Academicals at the East Cork venue, while Bruff ran out 20-15 home winners over Tullamore. Midleton recorded a 21-6 home win when these sides met in East Cork.

Dolphin, who have slipped to fourth, will have their work cut out, as they welcome Belfast Harlequins to Virgin Media Park. The Leesiders returned from their 25-22 defeat by Ballyclare in County Antrim with a losing bonus point. The Belfast side go into the tie on the back of a 22-17 home win over Monkstown. Belfast Harlequins recorded a 32-21 home win on November’s corresponding fixture.

Clonmel, who are one point adrift of the promotion places in fifth place, welcome Ballyclare to South Tipperary. Clonmel returned from their 31-25 away defeat to Enniscorthy with a losing bonus point, while the Ulster side have climbed up to sixth, following their narrow 25-22 home win over Dolphin. Ballyclare defeated Clonmel 44-38, when these sides met in County Antrim. Clonmel returned with two bonus points as they scored four tries.

In the Women’s All-Ireland League, defending champions UL Bohemian, who are second, entertain Wicklow at 4GUL. UL Bohemian put up 55 points without reply against Tullow in County Carlow last time out, to record a bonus point victory. Wicklow were defeated by leaders Railway Union in the Garden County. UL Bohemian defeated Wicklow 59-19 in November’s corresponding fixture.

Ballincollig, who have slipped to ninth, following their 29-17 defeat by Cooke in Belfast, face a tough assignment, as they travel to the Capital to take on third-placed Blackrock College. The Dublin side defeated Galwegians 49-0 in Galway last time out, to claim maximum points. Blackrock College recorded a comprehensive 68-5 victory when they met Ballincollig at Tanner Park.

Junior Preview

Locally, action continues with a handful of games across Men’s and Women’s competitions.

On Saturday evening, Kilfeacle, who are second in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, travel to Leeside, to take on Sunday’s Well, who are sixth, at Virgin Media Park. A bonus point win for the West Tipperary side would put them level on points with runaway leaders Thomond. Sunday’s Well had their aspirations of a top four finish ended last time out, when they were defeated 36-20 by Bandon in West Cork.

Tralee, who are propping up the table in Division 2, lock horns with near neighbours Castleisland in a Kerry derby at O’Dowd Park on Sunday. Tralee were defeated 48-33 by Ballincollig last time out at the same venue. They claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries. Castleisland, who have three games in hand, have not played since their narrow 24-22 home win over Waterpark in early December. Castleisland are two points clear of the relegation places.

Douglas entertain Killorglin in Division 3. Douglas were defeated 69-0 by Killarney in the Kingdom last time out. Killorglin ran out 27-13 home winners over Scariff.

There is a Premier County derby in Round 2 the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup as Cashel go head to head with near neighbours Clanwilliam at the Spafield. The winners will be rewarded with a home tie against Garryowen in Round 3. The losers will be away to Tralee in the opening round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate.

Bandon entertain Richmond in the second semi-final of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup, with Thomond awaiting the winners in the decider.

In the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup, Young Munster host Old Crescent at Tom Clifford Park. Old Crescent have maximum points to date, as they defeated Shannon 38-12 at Coonagh.

There are two other opening ties as Bruff welcome Nenagh Ormond to Kilballyowen Park and on Monday evening, UL Bohemian go head to head with Garryowen at Annacotty.

Tralee, who are fourth in Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League, entertain second place Shannon-TUS. Tralee were defeated 28-0 by leaders Ennis-Kilrush last time out. Shannon-TUS ran out 66-15 winners over Roaring Water Bay at Coonagh.

In Division 2 Pool B, Ballincollig, who are propping up the table, entertain second-placed Mallow. The North Cork side claimed a losing bonus point from their 10-5 home defeat by Clonakilty in December. Ballincollig were defeated 39-5 by Midleton at Tanner Park in their last game in November.

Midleton take on Bruff in East Cork in the first semi-final of the Munster Women’s Division 2 Cup.

Thurles and Clonakilty meet in the replay of their first round tie in the Premier County, following a 22-22 draw in West Cork in December. The winners will be away to UL Bohemian in the semi-finals.