Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

Over the Easter Weekend, the Play-offs in Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League are down for decision, together with the Promotion Play-offs in the lower divisions.

On Easter Saturday, defending All-Ireland League champions Cork Constitution travel to the Capital to take on St Mary’s College in their Division 1A semi-final. Theses sides played out a 27-27 draw on Leeside in November. When these sides met in Dublin in the corresponding fixture in February, the Lilywhites recorded a narrow 30-29 victory. The winners will meet Lansdowne or Clontarf in the decider at the Aviva Stadium.

UCC are away to City of Armagh in their Division 1A Promotion Play-off semi-final. The winners will meet Nenagh Ormond or Blackrock College, who go head to head in North Tipperary in the decider. Nenagh Ormond won both games against Blackrock College in the regular AIL series. The North Tipperary side recorded a narrow 38-36 win in Dublin in September, and they ran out 21-17 home winners over Blackrock College in March.

Cashel welcome MU Barnhall to the Premier County for their Division 1B Promotion Play-off semi-final. Cashel were defeated 30-17 when these sides met in County Kildare in December. The Tipperary side ran out 39-33 winners when they met MU Barnhall in the Premier County in February. The winners will meet Dublin University or Greystones in the decider.

Midleton lock horns with Dolphin in their Division 2B Promotion Play-off semi-final at the East Cork venue. These sides played out a 15-15 draw, in a game that doubled up as a Munster Senior Cup tie, at Virgin Media Park in the last series of games before Christmas. Midleton recorded a narrow 18-13 win when they met Dolphin in East Cork in their first game of 2025, resulting in a losing bonus point for Dolphin. Skerries or Ballyclare await the winners in the decider.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

There are three provincial Junior finals down for decision this weekend as well as the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup Semi-Final, along with two Women’s games.

The second semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup takes place between Cork Constitution and Thomond at Temple Hill on Sunday. The Lilywhites last won the trophy in 2018, while Thomond’s last triumph was part of a three-in-a-row form 1989-91 inclusive. The winners will meet Old Crescent in the decider.

Charleville go head to head with St Senan’s at Grove Island on Good Friday evening in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield decider. Both sides are seeking a second title, with Charleville winning the inaugural decider in 2009. The Clare side won the trophy in 2014. These sides played out a 24-24 draw in the Banner County in March in Division 2 of the Munster Junior League.

On Easter Sunday at Virgin Media Park, Killarney and Corca Dhuibhne go head to head in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup decider. The West Kerry Gaeltacht side are looking to win the trophy for the first time, while Killarney have won the trophy on two occasions. Killarney’s previous triumphs were in 2017 and 2019. Killarney ran out 26-10 winners when these sides met in November in Division 3 of the Munster Junior League.

Waterford City and Youghal lock horns in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl decider. Waterford City are looking to win the trophy for the first time since 2013, while Youghal are seeking their first triumph. Youghal recorded a 58-21 victory when they met Waterford City on Suirside in Division 3 of the Munster Junior League.

These two finals are being preceded by the meeting of Cobh Pirates and Youghal in the South Munster Junior 3 Cup decider.

There are two final down for decision on Easter Saturday.

The Munster Junior 2 League final is down for decision as Highfield and Thomond go head to head at Woodleigh Park.

Newcastle West and Newport lock horns in the Carroll Plate decider at Kilballyowen Park.

In Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League, Dolphin welcome leaders Ennis-Kilrush to Virgin Media Park for their final league game on Easter Monday. The Clare side put up 85 points without reply when these sides met at Ennis in November.

UL Bohemian get their campaign underway in Women’s Division 2 Play-offs as they go head to head with Bruff at Annacotty on Easter Sunday. Bruff were defeated 72-12 by Clonakilty last time out in West Cork.