Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

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

In Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League, defending champions Cork Constitution will be looking to make the most of home advantage, as they welcome Lansdowne to Temple Hill. The Leesiders claimed a losing bonus point from their last game, which they lost 15-13 to Clontarf in Dublin, which saw them slip to second place. Lansdowne are six points adrift of the top four in fifth place and they claimed maximum points from their 29-14 home win over Young Munster. Lansdowne claimed all points on offer as they defeated the Lilywhites 27-10 in October’s corresponding fixture in Dublin.

Young Munster, who are seventh, travel to County Down to take on Ballynahinch. The Ulster side are six points adrift of the top four, but behind Lansdowne on scoring difference. Young Munster were defeated 29-14 by Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium, while Ballynahinch recorded a narrow 17-12 victory over Garryowen in Limerick. The County Down side ran out 26-25 winners when these sides met in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for Young Munster.

Garryowen, who are propping up the table, face a tough assignment as they lock horns with St Mary’s College, who are third, at Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues claimed a losing bonus point from their last game, which they lost 17-12 at home to Ballynahinch. St Mary’s College claimed all points on offer from their 36-14 home win over UCD in a Dublin derby. St Mary’s ran out 25-22 winners when these sides met in the Capital, resulting in a losing bonus point for Garryowen.

The game of the day in Division 1B is the meeting of leaders Old Belvedere and second-placed Nenagh Ormond at Ollie Campbell Park. Old Belvedere, who recorded a 13-10 home win over Old Wesley in a Dublin derby last time out, hold an 11-point lead over the North Tipperary side. Nenagh Ormond claimed maximum points from their 38-25 home win over Highfield in their last game. Old Belvedere ran out 32-31 winners when these sides met in North Tipperary, resulting in two bonus points for Nenagh Ormond, as they scored four tries.

Highfield, who are second from bottom, will have their work cut out, as they entertain third-placed Blackrock College at Woodleigh Park. Highfield were defeated 38-25 by Nenagh Ormond in North Tipperary in their last game. The Dublin side recorded a bonus point 28-7 home win over Queen’s University, which sees them climb up to third place. Blackrock College ran out 28-24 maximum point winners, when they met Highfield in Dublin in October, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Leesiders.

Bottom side Shannon entertain fifth-placed UCC at Thomond Park. The Limerick side returned with a losing bonus point from their narrow 20-19 defeat by Dublin University in the Capital. The Leeside Students, who are six points adrift of the top four, claimed all points on offer as they ran out 29-24 home winners over Naas. UCC recorded a comprehensive 42-7 victory when they met Shannon on Leeside.

Cashel, who have climbed up to third in Division 2A, travel to County Antrim, to take on Ballymena, who have climbed out of the drop zone. Cashel ran out 39-33 bonus point home winners over MU Barnhall last time out, while Ballymena also claimed maximum points from their 29-21 home win over Navan. This result leaves the Ulster side one point above the relegation places. Cashel recorded a maximum-point 29-24 victory when they met Ballymena in the Premier County. The County Antrim side returned with two bonus points as they scored four tries.

Old Crescent, who are six points clear of the drop zone in seventh place, entertain Galway Corinthians at Takumi Park. The Limerick side claimed all points on offer from their 42-10 victory over Buccaneers in Athlone last time out. The Galway side have slipped to fourth following their 31-12 defeat by Instonians in Belfast. Galway Corinthians ran out 43-12 winners in October’s corresponding fixture.

UL Bohemian, who are in mid-table in Division 2B, face a tricky task, as they go head to head with Clogher Valley, who are third, at Annacotty. The Limerick side were defeated 41-22 by Wanderers in Dublin. Clogher Valley claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 21-18 home defeat by Dungannon in a County Tyrone derby. Clogher Valley ran out 44-12 home winners when they met UL Bohemian in County Tyrone in October.

The game of the day in Division 2C sees leaders Midleton entertain second-placed Enniscorthy at Towns Park. Midleton go into the tie on the back of a narrow 17-12 home win over Tullamore. Enniscorthy recorded a bonus point 34-8 home win over Bruff. Midleton recorded a narrow bonus point 27-24 victory on October’s visit to the Model County, where Enniscorthy claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Fifth-placed Clonmel, who are behind Ballyclare on scoring differences, take on Monkstown, who are seventh, in South Tipperary. Clonmel recorded a narrow 25-22 away win over Belfast Harlequins, while Monkstown ran out 20-7 home winners over Dolphin. The South Tipperary side recorded a narrow 29-27 bonus point victory when these sides met in Dublin. Monkstown claimed a losing bonus point.

Dolphin, who have slipped to sixth, travel to the Faithful County, to take on second from bottom Tullamore. Dolphin are two points adrift of the top four, following their 20-7 defeat to Monkstown in Dublin. The County Offaly side returned from East Cork with a losing bonus point from their 17-12 defeat to Midleton. Dolphin ran out 40-19 winners when they met Tullamore on Leeside.

Bruff, who are seven points clear of the drop zone, will have their work cut out, as they entertain Ballyclare, who have climbed up to fourth. Bruff were defeated 34-8 by Enniscorthy in County Wexford, while Ballyclare claimed all points on offer from their 31-12 home win over Omagh Academicals in an Ulster derby. Ballyclare put up 66 points without reply when they met Bruff in County Antrim.

Defending Women’s AIL Champions UL Bohemian, who are two points behind leaders Railway Union in second place, welcome Cooke to Annacotty. UL Bohemian put up 66 points without reply against Ballincollig at Tanner Park last time out. The Belfast side were defeated 24-12 by Ballincollig at Tanner Park in their last game. UL Bohemian put up 94 points without reply, when these sides met in Belfast.

Ballincollig, who have climbed up to eighth, travel to the Capital to take on fourth-placed Old Belvedere at Ollie Campbell Park. Ballincollig claimed all points on offer from their 24-12 home win over Cooke, while Old Belvedere ran out 25-12 away winners over Wicklow. The Dublin side recorded a 40-10 bonus point victory when they met Ballincollig at Tanner Park in October.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

It is another busy weekend in the Munster Junior League, together with one game in the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup and on Tuesday the evening the final of the Senior Clubs League Division 1 will be decided.

The game of the day on Sunday in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, sees Kilfeacle who are second on 50 points, going head to head with Thomond, who are on 55 points, in the title decider in West Tipperary. Kilfeacle will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they aim to claim maximum points to boost their title bid. A 12th bonus point win for Thomond would see them retain the title. Thomond ran out 43-0 home winners over Bandon in their last game, while Kilfeacle claimed all points on offer from their narrow 24-22 victory over Sunday’s Well on Leeside.

Bandon, who are third, welcome fourth-placed Kanturk to Old Chapel, with a single point separating these sides. Both sides were held scoreless in their last games, as Bandon were defeated 43-0 by Thomond in Limerick. Kanturk, who are unbeaten away from home, lost their last game 33-0 against Muskerry at the Duhallow venue.

On Saturday evening, Skibbereen go head to head with Sunday’s Well at the Carbery Showgrounds. Both sides go into the tie on the back of games where they both claimed a losing bonus point each. Skibbereen, who have a game in hand with Richmond, were narrowly defeated 24-20 by St Mary’s in Limerick. Sunday’s Well lost their last game 24-22 to Kilfeacle at Virgin Media Park.

St Mary’s lock horns with Richmond in a Limerick City derby at Grove Island, with both sides presently occupying the mid-table places. St Mary’s ran 24-20 home winners over Skibbereen. Richmond, who have a game in hand with Skibbereen, drew 17-17 with Thurles at Canal Bank.

Crosshaven go head to head with Newcastle West at the South Cork venue, with both sides occupying the relegation places. Crosshaven were defeated 22-10 by Mallow in North Cork. Newcastle West, who have a game in hand with Mallow, ran out 34-24 home winners over Clonakilty.

Muskerry entertain Mallow, who have climbed out of the drop zone. Muskerry who are three points adrift of the top four, will be looking to build on their 33-0 away win over Kanturk, where they claimed all point s on offer. Mallow, who have game in hand with Newcastle West, ran out 22-10 home winners over Crosshaven.

Clonakilty, who are four points clear of the relegation places, welcome Thurles, who are a point above them, to The Vale. Clonakilty were defeated 34-24 by Newcastle West in West Limerick, while Thurles were held to a 17-17 draw away by Richmond.

In Division 2, Old Christians entertain second from bottom Abbeyfeale at Rathcooney. Old Christians will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they aim to overtake Clanwilliam, with whom they are already promoted, to claim pole position. Old Christians are also the only side who are unbeaten in Division 2 and they defeated Clanwilliam 13-8 in Tipperary Town last time out. Abbeyfeale go into the tie on the back of a narrow 19-18 home win over Ennis.

Ballincollig go head to head with Castleisland at Tanner Park. Ballincollig claimed maximum points from their 40-7 home win over Fethard. The Kerry side, who are four points clear of the drop zone, were defeated 16-8 by Fermoy in the Kingdom.

There is a Cork derby between Cobh Pirates and Fermoy at the Paddocks. The Pirates go into the tie on the back of a 34-22 defeat by Waterpark on Suirside. Fermoy, who have won their last two games, have climbed out of the drop zone for the first time this season. The North Cork side defeated Castleisland 16-8 at the Kerry venue last time out.

Fethard, who have a game in hand, welcome Kinsale to South Tipperary. Fethard were defeated 40-7 by Ballincollig at the Mid Cork venue last time out, while Kinsale ran out 53-7 home winners over Tralee, who have already been relegated.

Charleville, who are one point above the relegation places with two games in hand, travel to the Banner County, to take on St Senan’s. The Clare side also have a game in hand. Both sides go into the tie on the back of narrow defeats. St Senan’s were narrowly defeated 33-31 by Fermoy in North Cork, but claimed a losing bonus point. Charleville also returned with a losing bonus point from their 24-22 defeat by Castleisland in the Kingdom.

Ennis entertain Waterpark, who have two games in hand at the Clare venue. Ennis were narrowly defeated 19-18 by Abbeyfeale in West Limerick, while Waterpark claimed maximum points from their 34-22 home win over Cobh Pirates.

Carrick-on-Suir, who are the unbeaten leaders in Division 3, travel to Galbally to take on Galbally-Mitchelstown, who have a game in hand. Carrick-on-Suir recorded a 31-14 away win over Scariff, while Galbally-Mitchelstown were defeated 30-16 by Ardscoil Old Boys at the UL Arena.

Youghal, who are second, travel to Kilbarry to take on Waterford City. The Suirsiders returned from their trip to the West Kerry Gaeltacht, where they claimed maximum points as they ran out 29-22 winners over Corca Dhuibhne. Youghal defeated Corca Dhuibhne 59-17 at the East Cork venue in their last game.

Killarney, who still have an outside chance of promotion, travel to East Clare, to take on Scariff. The Kerry side put up 69 points without reply against Douglas last time out, to claim maximum points. Scariff lost 31-14 at home to Carrick-on-Suir.

Dungarvan welcome Killorglin to West Waterford. Dungarvan go into the tie on the back of three successive defeats and are without a win since they defeated Douglas 53-24 at home and claimed all points on offer. The West Waterford side were defeated 29-7 at home by Ardscoil Old Boys last time out, while Killorglin go into the tie on the back of a 13-8 away win over Douglas.

Corca Dhuibhne welcome Ardscoil Old Boys to the West Kerry Gaeltacht. Corca Dhuibhne, whose last win was in November when they ran out maximum-point 35-12 home winners over Douglas, go into the tie on the back of four successive defeats. They lost their last game 29-22 against Waterford City in the Kingdom, but finished with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Ardscoil Old Boys recorded a bonus point 29-7 away win over Dungarvan.

Cork Constitution and Highfield will contest the Senior Clubs League Division 1 decider at a venue yet to be confirmed on Tuesday evening.

In the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup, Nenagh Ormond begin their campaign as they welcome UL Bohemian to North Tipperary. UL Bohemian go into the tie on the back of a heavy 57-22 defeat by Garryowen at Annacotty.

Tralee and Ennis-Kilrush go head to head in the decider of the Munster Women’s Division 1 Cup at Castleisland.

In Division 2 Pool B of the Munster Women’s League, unbeaten leaders Clonakilty lock horns with Midleton. Clonakilty defeated Mallow 10-5 in their last game in North Cork in December. Midleton were defeated 31-7 by Clonakilty in their last game in East Cork in November. Clonakilty also claimed maximum points.