Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

The final series of AIL games are the reverse of those games played on the opening day of the campaign in September are down for decision with plenty places to be decided.

In Division 1A of the All Ireland League, defending champions Cork Constitution entertain fifth-placed Terenure College at Temple Hill. The Lilywhites will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in their bid for a home semi-final, following their 28-5 maximum-point away win over Ballynahinch. Terenure College’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals were ended in their 20-12 home defeat by Young Munster. Terenure College ran out 25-15 winners when they met Cork Constitution in September’s opener in Dublin.

Garryowen, who have already been relegated, despite winning their last two games, travel to the Capital to take on Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. Garryowen recorded a narrow 19-18 home win over Clontarf in Limerick last time out. Lansdowne ran out 25-7 away winners over UCD in a Dublin derby. Garryowen claimed all points on offer when they met Lansdowne in Limerick, running out 29-27 winners on the opening day of the campaign.

Seventh-placed Young Munster host UCD, who are two points adrift of safety in ninth position. Young Munster go into the tie on the back of a 20-12 away win over Terenure College, while the Dublin Students were defeated 25-7 at home by Lansdowne. Young Munster ran out 24-22 winners when these sides met in Dublin, resulting in a losing bonus point for UCD.

Nenagh Ormond, who are second in Division 1B, travel to the Capital to take on Dublin University. The North Tipperary side are guaranteed a home semi-final tie following their 21-17 home win over Blackrock College. Dublin University are hovering above the drop zone as they have a better scoring difference than Highfield. The Dublin Students were defeated 36-18 away by promoted Old Belvedere. Nenagh Ormond ran out 27-3 home winners in September’s corresponding fixture.

Fifth–placed UCC, who are two points behind Old Wesley, who are fourth, face a tough assignment, as they lock horns with promoted Old Belvedere at the Mardyke. Both sides recorded bonus point victories last time out. UCC recorded a 45-7 away win over Highfield in a Leeside derby. Old Belvedere go into the tie on the back of a 36-18 home win over Dublin University. Old Belvedere won September’s corresponding fixture, running out 43-17 winners in Dublin.

Highfield, who are second from bottom, travel to County Kildare to take on seventh-placed Naas. Highfield are level with Dublin University on 29 points, but are behind on scoring differences. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats as Highfield lost 45-7 at home to UCC, while Naas were defeated 26-15 by Queen’s University in Belfast. Highfield recorded a narrow 19-17 home win when they met Naas in their opener on Leeside.

Shannon, who are propping up the table, entertain sixth-placed Queen’s University at Thomond Park. The Limerick side look destined for a second successive relegation following their 34-5 defeat by Old Wesley in Dublin. The Belfast Students recorded a 26-15 home win over Naas. Queen’s University ran out 19-13 winners in September’s opener in Belfast, resulting in a losing bonus point for Shannon.

In Division 2A, the two Munster sides go head to head as Cashel host Old Crescent in the Premier County. Cashel will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they aim for a home semi-final, following their bonus point 38-8 away win over Banbridge. Old Crescent, who are seventh, have secured their status in Division 2A following their narrow 16-14 home win over Navan. Cashel ran out 38-34 winners when these sides met in Limerick, claiming all points on offer. Old Crescent claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

UL Bohemian, who have climbed up to fourth in Division 2B, travel to the Yeats County to take on Sligo. UL Bohemian recorded a maximum-point 32-10 home win over Skerries, while Sligo were held to a 22-22 draw by Dungannon in County Tyrone. UL Bohemian recorded a 34-25 bonus point victory over Sligo in September’s opener in Limerick.

Division 2C leaders Midleton travel to the Capital to take on fifth-placed Monkstown, who are two points adrift of the promotion play-off places. Midleton only need four points to secure automatic promotion following their 39-17 maximum-point home win over Belfast Harlequins. Monkstown continued their outside challenge for a promotion play-off spot as they defeated Bruff 20-17 in County Limerick. Midleton ran out 34-28 bonus point winners when they met Monkstown in East Cork. The Dublin side claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Dolphin, who are third, will be looking to maintain their challenge for a place in the promotion play-offs as they welcome eighth-placed Bruff to Virgin Media Park. The Leesiders claimed all points on offer last time out as they defeated Omagh Academicals 29-26 in County Tyrone. Bruff have secured their AIL status as they claimed a valuable bonus point from their narrow 20-17 home defeat by Monskstown. Dolphin ran out 20-15 winners in September’s opener at the County Limerick venue, resulting in a losing bonus point for Bruff.

Sixth-placed Clonmel welcome Omagh Academicals, who are second from bottom to South Tipperary. Clonmel recorded a narrow 21-20 away win over Tullamore. Omagh Academicals claimed two bonus points from their 29-26 home defeat by Dolphin, as they scored four tries. The Ulster side ran out 31-28 bonus point winners when they met Clonmel in County Tyrone. The South Tipperary side claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

The semi-finals of the Men’s All-Ireland League Round Robin series are down for decision this weekend at the home of Cill Dara RFC in Kildare Town

The Frazer McMullen U20 semi-finals are also being played this weekend, together with an assortment of Munster Junior Men’s and Women’s competitions.

In the All-Ireland Round Robin semi-finals, Munster champions Thomond lock horns with Ulster champions Dromore from County Down. Dromore were the only side to defeat Thomond this season as they defeated the Limerick side 32-16 in their All-Ireland Junior Cup opener at Liam Fitzgerald Park in October. The winners will meet Leinster champions and former AIL side Bective Rangers or Connacht champions Creggs from County Galway in the decider.

In the Frazer McMullen U20 Cup semi-finals, UCC go head to head with MU Barnhall at the Mardyke. The winners will meet Clontarf or UCD in the decider.

There are three quarter finals down for decision in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup.

Old Crescent go head to head with Highfield, who last won the trophy in 2019, at Takumi Park. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage in the semi-finals against Shannon, who last won the trophy in 2015, or Muskerry, who meet at Coonagh.

Next Tuesday evening, holders UCC continue their defence of the trophy against Cork Constitution, whose last triumph was in 2018, at Temple Hill. The winners will have a home semi-final tie with Thomond.

In the second semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl, Waterford City host Douglas on Suirside. Youghal await the winners in the decider.

In the Premier County, Nenagh Ormond and Kilfeacle go head to head in the Mansergh Cup decider at Clanwilliam Park.

Bruff and Clonakilty go head to head in the Munster Women’s Division 2 Cup at UL.

Thurles and Midleton begin their campaign in the Munster Women’s Play-off series in the Premier County.