Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

It is another busy weekend with action across all five divisions of the Men’s All-Ireland League, as well as the final series of games in the Women’s All-Ireland League.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League, defending champions Cork Constitution, who have climbed up to third, travel to County Down to take on sixth-placed Ballynahinch. The Lilywhites ran out 30-23 winners over Young Munster in Limerick, while the Ulster side, who are five points adrift of the top four, were defeated 34-21 by St Mary’s College in Dublin. Cork Constitution ran out 51-21 winners when they met Ballynahinch on Leeside in September.

Garryowen, who are propping up the table, face a tough assignment as they lock horns with leaders Clontarf at Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues, despite defeating City of Armagh 26-17 at the Palace Grounds last time out to record their second victory of the campaign, are facing a quick return to Division 1B, following last year’s promotion. Clontarf go into the tie on the back of an 18-5 home win over UCD in a Dublin derby. Clontarf defeated Garryowen 29-21 in September’s corresponding fixture in Dublin.

Young Munster, who are seventh, travel to the Capital to take on fifth-placed Terneure College, with both sides having lost their last games. Young Munster claimed a losing bonus point from their 30-23 home defeat by Cork Constitution, while Terenure College were defeated 32-0 away by Lansdowne in a Dublin derby. This result leaves the Dublin side three points adrift of the top four. Young Munster recorded a 34-30 victory when these sides met in Limerick.

The game of the day in Division 1B is the meeting of second-placed Nenagh Ormond and Blackrock College, who are third, in North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond go into the tie on the back of a 34-26 maximum-point home win over Old Wesley. They only need four points from their next two games to secure a home semi-final. Blackrock College recorded a narrow 26-20 home win over Old Belvedere in a Dublin derby. The North Tipperary side recorded a narrow 38-36 victory when they met Blackrock College in Dublin.

Highfield, who are in ninth place, but behind Dublin University on scoring differences, lock horns with UCC in a Leeside derby at Woodleigh Park. Highfield ran out 28-23 bonus point away winners over Dublin University, while UCC also claimed maximum points from their 29-28 home victory over Queen’s University. UCC recorded 39-14 victory in September’s corresponding fixture at the Mardyke.

Shannon, who are propping up the table, travel to the Capital to take on Old Wesley at Energia Park. Shannon go into the tie on the back of a 15-10 victory over Naas at Thomond Park. Old Wesley were defeated 34-26 by Nenagh Ormond in North Tipperary. Shannon ran out 23-13 winners when they met Old Wesley in Limerick.

Cashel, who are second in Division 2A, are away to Banbridge, who are sixth. Cashel recorded a bonus point 36-8 victory over already relegated Buccaneers in the Premier County. Banbridge ran out 9-6 home winners over Old Crescent. Cashel ran out 38-24 home winners when these sides met at the Tipperary venue in September.

Old Crescent who are seventh, host Navan, who are hovering above the drop zone at Takumi Park. There are six points separating these sides and Navan are one point clear of the relegation places. Old Crescent returned with a losing bonus point from their 9-6 defeat by Banbridge in County Down. The County Meath side also claimed a losing bonus point from their 14-7 away defeat by Galway Corinthians. These sides played out a 22-22 draw in the Royal County.

In Division 2B, fifth-placed UL Bohemian entertain Skerries, who are seventh, at UL4G. UL Bohemian defeated Rainey 15-0 at Magherafelt last time out, while Skerries narrowly lost 24-23 at home to Dungannon. UL Bohemian are level on points with Rainey, but behind on scoring differences. Skerries won September’s corresponding fixture 32-26, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Limerick side.

Division 2C leaders Midleton will be looking to get back to winning ways, as they welcome Belfast Harlequins, who have slipped to sixth, at the East Cork venue. Midleton were defeated 24-12 by Ballyclare in County Antrim, while Belfast Harlequins fell to their fifth successive defeat, losing 17-15 at home to Bruff. The Belfast side’s last victory was when they defeated Monkstown 22-17 at home in January. Midleton and Belfast Harlequins played out a 22-22 draw in September.

Fourth-placed Dolphin travel to County Tyrone, to take on Omagh Academicals, who are second from bottom. Dolphin go into the tie on the back of a 20-15 home win over Clonmel, while the County Tyrone side claimed a losing bonus point from their 43-38 away defeat by Monkstown. Dolphin ran out 53-13 winners when they met Omagh Academicals on Leeside.

Clonmel, who have slipped to seventh, travel to the Faithful County to take on bottom side Tullamore. Clonmel claimed a losing bonus point from their 20-15 away defeat by Dolphin. Tullamore also returned with a losing onus point from their 15-10 defeat by Enniscorthy in County Wexford. Clonmel won September’s corresponding fixture 35-11.

Bruff, who are eight points clear of the drop zone in eighth place, will be looking to take another step closer to safety as they entertain fifth-placed Monkstown at Kilballyowen Park. The County Limerick side recorded a narrow 17-15 away win over Belfast Harlequins last time out. Monkstown recorded a maximum-point 43-38 home win over Omagh Academicals, which sees them two points adrift of the promotion places. Monkstown recorded a narrow 24-21 home win when they met Bruff in Dublin.

In the final round of games in the Women’s All-Ireland League, defending champions UL Bohemian, who are second, entertain Blackrock College, who are seventh, at Annacotty. UL Bohemian were defeated 17-10 by Railway Union in Dublin last time out. Blackrock College also claimed a losing bonus point from their 19-14 home defeat in a Dublin derby by Old Belvedere. UL Bohemian recorded a 31-15 victory when they met Blackrock College in Dublin.

Seventh-placed Ballincollig go head to head with Galwegians, who are sixth, at Tanner Park, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Ballincollig returned with a losing bonus point from their 18-12 defeat by Suttonians in Dublin. Galwegians were defeated 36-21 at home by Wicklow. Galwegians recorded a 22-17 home win when they met Ballincollig on the opening day in September and Ballincollig claimed a losing bonus point.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

It is down to the business end of the season as several Cup competitions begin to reach the final stages.

The first quarter final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup sees 2004 winners Nenagh Ormond taking on Thomond, who last won the trophy as part of a three-in-a-row from 1989 to 1991 inclusive, in North Tipperary. The winners will be away to Cork Constitution or holders UCC in the semi-finals.

St Senan’s who last won the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate in 2008, welcome Bruff to Jimmy Slattery Park, for the second semi-final. Clanwilliam await the winners in the decider.

In the second semi-final of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield, Charleville go head to head with Clanwilliam at Smith’s Road. The winners will meet St Senan’s in the decider.

In the second semi-final of the Martin O’Sullivan Cup, holder Carrick-on-Suir continue their defence of the trophy as they travel to the West Kerry Gaeltacht to take on Corca Dhuibhne. Killarney, who last won the trophy in 2019, await the winners in the decider.

There are two games in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League down for decision on Sunday.

Newcastle West entertain Mallow in West Limerick on Sunday. While Newcastle West may need something from this game to be assured of their top flight status, Mallow, who are second from bottom only need one point if they are also to remain in Division 1 next season. This result would relegate Clonakilty on the number of games won.

Skibbereen welcome Richmond to West Cork, with Skibbereen still not certain that they will be playing in the top flight next season.

The opening round of games in the Frazer McMullen U20 Cup are down for decision on Sunday.

Garryowen travel to County Kildare to take on MU Barnhall and Limerick neighbours Shannon welcome UCD to Coonagh.

UCC entertain Galway Corinthians at the Mardyke and will be confident of making the last four.

Shannon-TUS and Bruff go head to head in the semi-finals of the Munster Women’s Open Cup at Coonagh.

UL Bohemian welcome Clonakilty to Annacotty for their Women’s Division 2 Cup semi-final. The winners will meet Bruff in the decider.

The semi-finals of the Women’s Open Bowl are also down for decision.

Dolphin entertain Roaring Water Bay at Virgin Media Park. The winners will take on Tralee or Mallow, who go head to head in the Kingdom in the decider.