Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

It is a busy weekend as the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues continue with a full series of games.

In Division 1 of the Men’s All-Ireland League, new leaders Cork Constitution travel to the Capital to take on Clontarf at Castle Avenue. Cork Constitution claimed all points on offer last time out as they ran out 31-19 home winners over City of Armagh. The Dublin side have slipped to third, following their 27-14 defeat by Young Munster in Limerick. Clontarf won October’s corresponding fixture 20-16 on Leeside, resulting in a losing bonus point for Cork Constitution.

Young Munster are also in Dublin, as they go head to head with Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium, with both sides presently occupying the mid-table places. Young Munster recorded a maximum-point 27-14 home win over Clontarf last time out, while Lansdowne recorded a narrow 24-21 victory over Ballynahinch in County Down. Young Munster recorded a 36-21 home win when these sides met in October.

Garryowen, who remain rooted to the foot of the table, welcome fifth-placed Ballynahinch to Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues were defeated 26-15 by UCD in Dublin last time out, while Ballynahinch claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 24-21 home defeat by Lansdowne. Ballynahinch ran out 33-7 winners when these sides met in County Down.

Nenagh Ormond, who are second in Division 1B, entertain second from bottom Highfield. Nenagh Ormond were defeated 24-14 by Queen’s University in Belfast, while Highfield lost 30-10 to Old Belvedere on Leeside. The North Tipperary side claimed all points on offer as they won October’s corresponding fixture 31-22.

Fifth-placed UCC, who are seven points adrift of the promotion places, lock horns with Naas, who have slipped to seventh. The Leeside Students returned with two bonus point from their 44-41 defeat by Old Wesley in Dublin, where they scored seven tries. Naas recorded a bonus point 33-12 home win over Dublin University. Naas recorded a narrow 34-30 victory when these sides met in County Kildare. UCC returned with two bonus points as they scored four tries.

Shannon, who are propping up the table, travel to the Capital, to take on eighth-placed Dublin University, who are four points clear of the relegation places. The Limerick side claimed a losing bonus point from their 20-16 defeat by Blackrock College at Thomond Park, while Dublin University were defeated 33-12 by Naas in County Kildare. Shannon ran out 20-15 winners when these sides met in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Dublin Students.

Cashel, who are one point adrift of the promotion places in Division 2A, will be looking to make the most of home advantage, as they welcome Greystones to the Premier County. Cashel defeated Navan 25-14 in the Royal County, while Greystones go into the tie on the back of a 25-13 home win over Banbridge. Cashel ran out 25-22 winners when these sides met in County Wicklow, resulting in a losing bonus pint for Greystones.

Old Crescent travel to Athlone to take on Buccaneers, who are propping up the table on a single four-try bonus point. Old Crescent were defeated 40-29 by Instonians last time out, but claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries. Buccaneers were defeated 22-12 by Ballymena in County Antrim. Old Crescent recorded a bonus point 43-12 victory in October’s corresponding fixture in Limerick.

In Division 2B, UL Bohemian, who have slipped to sixth, as they lost their last three games, travel to Dublin to take on leaders Wanderers at Merrion Road. UL Bohemian claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 25-24 home defeat by Galwegians. Wanderers were defeated 31-28 by Dungannon in County Tyrone, but they returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. UL Bohemian, who are four points adrift of the top four, recorded a narrow 26-24 win when they met Wanderers in Limerick, resulting in a loosing bonus point for the Dublin side..

Division 2C leaders Midleton, welcome second from bottom Tullamore to East Cork. Midleton go into the tie on the back on the back of a 15-11 away win over Bruff, while Tullamore were defeated 26-17 by Monkstown in the Faithful County. Midleton recorded an 18-11 victory when these sides met in County Offaly, with Tullamore claiming a losing bonus point.

Fourth-placed Dolphin travel to the Capital, to take on Monkstown at Sydney Parade. The Leesiders claimed all points on offer as they scored six tries in their 46-33 victory over Belfast Harlequins at Virgin Media Park. The Dublin side also claimed maximum points from their 26-17 away win over Tullamore. Dolphin recorded a maximum-point 43-14 win when they met Monkstown on Leeside.

Fifth-placed Clonmel, who are two points adrift of the promotion places, are away to second-placed Belfast Harlequins. Clonmel recorded a narrow 19-17 home win over Ballyclare, while Belfast Harlequins were defeated 46-33 by Dolphin on Leeside. The Belfast side also claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries. Clonmel won October’s corresponding fixture, 29-21 in South Tipperary.

Bruff, who are eight points clear of the relegation places, travel to County Wexford, to take on third-placed Enniscorthy. Bruff claimed a losing bonus point from their 15-11 home defeat by Midleton, while Enniscorthy defeated Omagh Academicals 33-21 at the County Tyrone venue. Bruff were defeated 35-19 when they met Enniscorthy in County Limerick.

In the Women’s All-Ireland League, Ballincollig, who are ninth, lock horns with second-placed UL Bohemian in a Munster derby at Tanner Park. Ballincollig were defeated 93-0 by Blackrock College in Dublin last time out, while UL Bohemian put up 55 points without reply at home to Tullow. UL Bohemian ran out 55-8 winners when these sides met in Limerick in November.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

The Munster Junior League also has a full program of games across all Three Divisions and there is action in an assortment of Men’s and Women’s competitions.

In Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, holders Thomond, welcome third-placed Bandon to Liam Fitzgerald Park, with 16 points separating these sides. Thomond, who will be looking to take another step closer to retaining the league title, recorded their tenth bonus point win last time out as they defeated Muskerry 37-27 at the Mid Cork venue. Bandon also claimed maximum points from their last game, running out 36-20 home winners over Sunday’s Well.

Fourth-placed Kanturk go head to head with Muskerry, who are fifth, with eight points separating these sides. The Duhallow side claimed all points on offer from their last game where they defeated Crosshaven 47-12 in South Cork. Muskerry were defeated 37-27 at home by Thomond.

At the foot of the table, Mallow, who are second from bottom with a game in hand, lock horns with Crosshaven in North Cork, with two points separating these sides. Mallow claimed a losing bonus point form their narrow 15-14 away defeat by Clonakilty, while the Seasiders fell to a heavy 47-12 home defeat by Kanturk.

Newcastle West, who are propping up the table and also have a game in hand, welcome Clonakilty, who are six points clear of the drop zone, to West Limerick. Newcastle West were defeated 22-13 by Thurles in the Premier County last time out, while the West Cork side took another step closer to safety as they recorded a narrow 15-14 home win over Mallow.

Richmond, who are in mid-table, with a game in hand go head to head with Thurles, who are five points clear of the relegation places, at Canal Bank. Both sides go into the tie on the back of victories over Newcastle West.

St Mary’s welcome Skibbereen, who have a game in hand, to Grove Island. Both sides, who are presently occupying the mid-table place were defeated by Kilfeacle in their last games.

The game of the day in Division 2 is the meeting of Clanwilliam and Old Christians, who have both been promoted to the top flight for next season, in Tipperary Town. The winners of this game will almost certainly be crowned champions with just two more games to go. Both sides are unbeaten in their games to date and are on 49 points with nine bonus point victories each. Clanwilliam defeated Ennis 24-14 in the Banner County in their last league game. Old Christians recorded a comprehensive 55-5 home win over Kinsale, in a game which doubled up as a Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup tie.

Tralee, who are rooted to the foot of the table, will have their work cut out, as they travel to South Cork to take on Kinsale, who share third place with Cobh Pirates and Ennis. Kinsale were defeated 55-5 by Old Christians in their last game. Tralee claimed a bonus point form their narrow 18-17 home defeat by near neighbours Castleisland in a Kingdom derby.

Fermoy, who are propping up the table with Tralee, go head to head with St Senan’s at the Showgrounds. Both sides have a game in hand each. Fermoy claimed a bonus point from their narrow 19-27 away defeat by Charleville in a North Cork derby last time out. St Senan’s claimed all points on offer from their 31-22 victory over Abbeyfeale in West Limerick.

Abbeyfeale face a tricky task in their battle against the drop as they welcome Ennis to West Limerick. Abbeyfeale were defeated 43-12 by Cobh Pirates in East Cork, while Ennis lost 24-14 at home to Clanwilliam.

Castleisland lock horns with Charelville at the Kerry venue. Both sides are six points clear of the relegation places, tied on 13 points each. A win would see either side take another step closer to safety following narrow wins over Tralee and Fermoy respectively in their last games.

Ballincollig entertain Fethard, with both sides presently occupying the mid-table places. Fethard also have one game in hand. Both sides go into the tie on the back of bonus point victories over Tralee.

Waterpark, who have two games in hand, welcome Cobh Pirates to Suirside. Waterpark ran out 13-3 winners over Fermoy in North Cork, while the Pirates ran out maximum-point 47-12 home winners over Abbeyfeale.

In Division 3, unbeaten Carrick-on-Suir travel to East Clare to take on Scariff. A win for the South Tipperary side would see them overtake Youghal in pole position, Carrick-on-Suir go into the tie on the back of a maximum-point 24-7 home win over Dungarvan, while Scariff were defeated 27-13 by Killorglin in the Kingdom.

Corca Dhuibhne welcome Waterford City to the West Kerry Gaeltacht. Corca Dhuibhne go into the tie on the back of a heavy 55-9 defeat by Youghal in East Cork, while the Suirsiders recorded a narrow 19-17 home win over Galbally-Mitchelstown.

Dungarvan face a tricky task as they entertain Ardscoil Old Boys at the West Waterford venue. Dungarvan were defeated 24-7 by Carrick-on-Suir at Tybroughney, while Ardscoil Old Boys recorded a bonus point 30-16 home win over Galbally-Mitchelstown.

The first semi-final of the Martin O’Sullivan Cup is down for decision as Killarney go head to head with Youghal at the Kerry venue. The winners will meet Corca Dhuibhne or Carrick-on-Suir in the decider.

In North Munster, the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup continues. Garryowen, who ran out maximum point 57-22 away winners over UL Bohemian last time out, entertain Shannon at Dooradoyle. Shannon were defeated 38-17 by Old Crescent at Coonagh.

Young Munster, who lost their opener 38-31 to Old Crescent at Takumi Park, but claimed two bonus points as they scored five tries, go head to head with Bruff, who are beginning their campaign at Tom Clifford Park.

The quarter finals of the Munster Women’s Open Cup are also down for decision.

Tralee welcome Ennis-Kilrush to the Kingdom. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage in the semi-finals against Clonakilty or Mallow, who go head to head in West Cork.

Shannon-TUS host Dolphin at Coonagh. The winners will have a home semi-final tie against Roaring Water Bay or Bruff, who meet in Skibbereen.