Weekend Preview – 24th January

It is all league action this weekend at all levels.

The big game in the AIB All Ireland League is the Division 1A clash between Garryowen and leaders Cork Constitution at Dooradoyle. These sides are due to meet again next week in Dubarry Park Athlone in the final of the AIB All Ireland Cup.
Both sides had excellent narrow wins last week. Garryowen defeated leaders St. Mary’s College 16-14 at Templeville Road to move off the foot of the table, while Cork Constitution were fortunate to beat Blackrock College 18-15 at Temple Hill to move top of the pile.
Con’ won their encounter earlier in the season 17-13 and no doubt these great sides will serve up another thrilling encounter.

After a poor start to the season Shannon who are now pushing hard to secure a semi final place and collected maximum points last week at home to Dolphin face U.L. Bohemian at Thomond Park. U.L. are now struggling at the foot of the table and will be all out to put one over on their neighbours who defeated them 38-19 earlier in the campaign.

Dolphin’s hopes of a semi final spot have been severely dented by injuries in the past few weeks and they will have it all to do to get something from their home tie against St. Mary’s College.

In Division 1B new leaders Young Munster will hope to consolidate their position with a home win over bottom side Ballynahinch.
U.C.C. also in the race for promotion travel north to face Dungannon and will be hoping for a repeat of their 20-3 victory at the Mardyke back in October.

In Division 2; Bruff still in the hunt for the second promotion spot will be hoping to pick up maximum points at home to relegation threatened Greystones at Killballyowen Park.

Old Crescent boosted by their away win over Trinity last week, will be confident of picking up another brace of points at home to Malone.

Highfield just above the relegation zone will have to produce a big performance to pick up the points from their trip to Galway where they face Corinthians.

Clonakilty disappointed at losing to Greystones last week face another difficult task when they travel to Donnybrook to face Old Wesley, whose promotion challenge was dented last week by their 36-11 home defeat by Belfast Harlequins.

Thomond are also in Donnybrook play their game against Bective Rangers on Sunday and the Limerick side will be anxious to get something from tie.

The big game in the Third Division is the meeting of leaders Midleton and Sunday’s Well at the Towns Park. This is always a passionate derby affair and while the ‘Well would be delighted to end Midleton’s unbeaten run, the leaders will be expected to collect the spoils.

Nenagh Ormond who got themselves back into a top four position by that 32-13 win over Naas last week will have it all to do against an inform Queens University in Belfast.

It is also very tight at the top of Division One in the Munster Junior League with three sides battling it out for the title. Leaders Tralee are away to struggling St. Senan’s and if the Kerry side can spread the ball out wide they have the players to score tries as they bid for maximum points.

Richmond in second place a point behind the leaders face a difficult tie away to Kilfeacle. The Tipperary side who have two games in hand to most of the other sides could see themselves in the relegation battle should they lose this tie and the Limerick side will have it all to do to keep their challenge on track.

Defending champions Cashel are five points behind the leaders with a game in hand. They host Ballincollig, a side that despite the early season predictions of being relegated have confounded the critics with some excellent results and they will be confident of putting it up to the defending champions.

At the other end of the table former winners Crosshaven are still looking for their first win of the season and they must win at home to Thurles if they are to avoid the drop to Division Two.

Two sides that lost last week will want to get back to winning ways when Skibbereen host Clonmel at the west Cork venue.

The other game in the top flight sees Cobh Pirates travel to Waterpark and while the visitors will be in a confident mood after their win over Skibbereen last week, the home side will want to get a win under their belt ahead of their upcoming Junior Cup campaign.

The big game of the day is probably the meeting of the top two sides in the Second Division when leaders Galbally play host to second place Old Christians. Galbally moved ahead of their opponents last week by that 3-3 away draw against Clanwilliam. The Cork side a point behind with a game in hand will be confident of returning to the top and ending the Limerick side’s unbeaten run. Galbally did defeat the Rathcooney side 16-9 in the Shield semi final back in November. It should be a thrilling tie with little expected to be between the sides at the finish.

Clanwilliam, who are level with Old Christians, should keep their promotion hopes alive with a home win over Newport.

Elsewhere Kanturk will fancy their chances of adding to bottom side St. Mary’s woes with a home win.

Kinsale will fancy their chances at home to struggling Ennis and Youghal also in relegation trouble at the foot of the table, face a difficult task away to Newcastle West.

In the other tie Muskerry play Bandon at Ballyanly with both sides wanting to pick up the points to stay out of the relegation zero.

In Division Three A, Castleisland who have an eighteen points lead will be confident of maintaining their unbeaten run with a home win over Abbeyfeale.

Second placed Presentation host Corca Dhuibhne and the Kerry Gaeltacht side must win this tie to stay in the promotion race.

Third placed Killarney should get the points at home to Kilrush and Killorglin will be looking for their first win of the campaign when they host Scariff.

In Section 3B, leaders Charleville will have it all to do at home to Carrick-on-Suir, especially when they may have to line out with out their regular half back partnership, who both got injured in their Cup tie at Clonakilty last week.

Fermoy must come away from Waterford City with the points if they are to stay in the promotion race.

Mallow will be looking to collect maximum points from their trip to Dungarvan and Shandon will be looking to get their first win under their belt when they face Douglas at Whitechurch.

There is also league action in the Seconds League both North and South as well as in the lower grades in what is a very busy weekend.

FIXTURES:
FRIDAY 22nd JANUARY
Heineken Cup:Munster v Northampton,Thomond Park,8.00;

Avonmore Milk Schools Senior Cup:Bandon Grammar v Glenstal Abbey,Bandon,2.00;

Mungret Shield:Newcastle West v Askeaton,Newcastle West,2.00;

SATURDAY 23rd JANUARY
AIB League Division 1A:Blackrock College v Clontarf,Stradbrook,2.30;
Dolphin v St. Mary’s College,Musgrave Park,2.30;
Garryowen v Cork Constitution,Dooradoyle,2.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Shannon,Thomond Park/,2.30;

Division 1B:Ballymena v Old Belvedere,Eaton Park,2.30;
Dungannon v U.C.C.,Stevenson Park,2.30;
Galwegians v Buccaneers,Crowley Park,2.30;
Young Munster v Ballynahinch,Clifford Park,2.30;

Division 2:Belfast Harlequins v U.C.D.,Deramore Park,2.30;
Bruff v Greystones,Kilballyowen Park,2.30;
Corinthians v Highfield,Corinthian Park,2.30;
Lansdowne v Dublin University,RDS Ballsbridge,2.30;
Old Crescent v Malone,Rosbrien,2.30;
Old Wesley v Clonakilty,Donnybrook,2.30;
Terenure College v D.L.S.P.,Lakelands Park,2.30;

Division 3:Banbridge v Barnhall,Rifle Park,2.30;
Co. Carlow v Rainey Old Boys,Oak Park,2.30;
Instonians v Suttonians,Shane Park,2.30;
Midleton v Sunday’s Well,Towns Park,2.30;
Navan v Wanderers,Navan,2.30;
Portadown v Connemara,Chambers Park,2.30;
Queens University v Nenagh Ormond,Dub Lane,2.30;

Gleeson League:Bruff v Richmond,Bruff,12.30;
Garryowen v Clonmel,Dooradoyle,12.30;
Old Crescent v Young Munster,Rosbrien,12.30;
Shannon v U.L. Bohemian,Coonagh,1.00;
Thomond v Cashel,Fitzgerald Park,2.30;

Under 21 South Western Conference Division 1 Section A:Dolphin v U.C.C.,Musgrave Park,2.30;
N.U.I.G. v Highfield,Galway,2.30;

Section B:Buccaneers v Galwegians,Dubarry Park,2.30;
Shannon v Cork Constitution,Coonagh,2.30;
Sunday’s Well v U.L. Bohemian,Musgrave Park,2.30;

Division 2 North:Kilfeacle v Cashel,Kilfeacle,2.30;

Junior 2 Friendly:St. Senan’s v St. Mary’s,Jim Slattery Pary,2.30;

Avonmore Milk Munster Under 19 League Group 3:Kilfeacle v St. Mary’s,Kilfeacle,7.00;

Avonmore Milk Munster Under 17 League Section B:Waterpark v Old Christians,Ballinakill,1.00;

Section C:Abbeyfeale v Bandon,Abbeyfeale,2.00;

Section D:Charleville v Cashel,Charleville,1.00;

South Under 19 Development League:Bandon v Highfield,Bandon,12.00;
Dunmanway v Youghal,Dunmanway,12.30;
Kinsale v Douglas,Kinsale,12.00;

South Under 15 League Section A:Cork Constitution v Mallow,Temple Hill,12.00;
Midleton v Muskerry,Towns Park,10.30;
Old Christians v Kanturk,Rathcooney,11.00;
Sunday’s Well v Cobh Pirates,Musgrave Park,12.00;

Section B:Ballincollig v Clonakilty,Tanner Park,11.00;
Crosshaven v Dolphin,Crosshaven,10.00;
Highfield v Carrigaline,Woodleigh Park,10.45;
Kinsale v Dunmanway,Kinsale,11.00;

West Munster Under 17 League Final:Tralee v Killarney,Ballydavid,12.00;

Under 19 Friendly:P.B.C. v Sunday’s Well,Wilton,11.00;

Under 17 Friendly:Castleisland v Kanturk,Castleisland,11.00;
Fermoy v Mallow,Fermoy,12.00;
P.B.C. v Highfield,Wilton,11.00;

Under 14 Friendly:Highfield v Midleton,Woodleigh Park,12.15;

Munster Girls Under 19 League Final:Clonmel v Mallow,Thurles,12.00;

SUNDAY 24th JANUARY
AIB League Division 2:Bective Rangers v Thomond,Donnybrook,2.30;

Munster Junior League Division 1:Cashel v Ballincollig,Cashel,2.30;
Crosshaven v Thurles,Crosshaven,2.30;
Kilfeacle v Richmond,Kilfeacle,2.30;
Skibbereen v Clonmel,Skibbereen,2.30;
St. Senan’s v Tralee,Jim Slattery Park,2.30;
Waterpark v Cobh Pirates,Ballinakill,2.30;

Division 2:Clanwilliam v Newport,Clanwilliam Park,2.30;
Galbally v Old Christians,Galbally,2.30;
Kanturk v St Mary’s,Kanturk,2.30;
Kinsale v Ennis,Kinsale,2.30;
Muskerry v Bandon,Ballyanly,2.30;
Newcastle West v Youghal,Newcastle West,2.30;

Division 3 Section A:Castleisland v Abbeyfeale,Castleisland,2.30;
Presentation v Corca Dhuibhne,Rathuard,2.30;
Killarney v Kilrush,Killarney,2.30;
Killorglin v Scariff,Killorglin,2.30;

Section B:Charleville v Carrick-on-Suir,Charleville,2.30;
Shandon v Douglas,Whitechurch,2.30;
Dungarvan v Mallow,Dungarvan,2.30;
Fermoy v Waterford City,Fermoy,2.30;

Munster Seconds League North:Garryowen v Young Munster,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Shannon v Bruff,Coonagh,2.30;

Munster Seconds League South:Cork Constitution v Clonakilty,Temple Hill,2.30;
Highfield v Dolphin,Woodleigh Park,2.30;
Sunday’s Well v U.C.C.,Musgrave Park,2.30;

Junior 2 League South Section A:Killarney v Castleisland,Killarney,12.00;

Section B:Bandon v Kinsale,Bandon,12.00;
Clonakilty v Bantry Bay,The Vale,12.00;

Section C:Muskerry v Old Christians,Ballyanly,12.00;
U.C.C. v Sunday’s Well,Curaheen Road,12.00;

Section D:Carrigaline v Cork Constitution,Moneygourney,12.00;

Gleeson League Division 2:Fethard v Kilfeacle,Fethard,2.30;
Waterpark v Galbally,Ballinakill,2.30;

Junior 3 League South Group A:Bandon v Ballincollig,Bandon,2.30;
Youghal v Mallow,Youghal,12.00;

Group B:Cork Transport v Fermoy,Fermoy,12.00;
Dolphin v Shandon,Musgrave Park,12.00;

Avonmore Milk Munster Under 19 League:Shannon v Crosshaven,Coonagh,2.00;

Avonmore Milk Munster Under 17 League Section A:Kilfeacle v U.L. Bohemain,Kilfeacle,11.00;

East Under 19 Development League:Cashel v Clanwilliam,Cashel,11.00;
Galbally v Fethard,Galbally,11.00;

East Under 17 Development League:Carrick-on-Suir v Nenagh Ormond,Carrick-on-Suir,11.00;
Fethard v Roscrea,Fethard,12.30;
Galbally v Clanwilliam,Galbally,11.00;
Thurles v Clonmel,Thurles,11.00;

East Under 15 League Section A:Fethard v Dungarvan,Fethard,11.00;

Section B:Galbally v Clanwilliam,Galbally,11.00;
Nenagh Ormond v Thurles,Nenagh,11.00;
Roscrea v Kilfeacle,Roscrea,11.00;

East Under 13 League Section A:Kilfeacle v Fethard,Kilfeacle,11.00;
Nenagh Ormond v Clonmel,Nenagh,11.00;
Thurles v Dungarvan,Thurles,11.00;
Waterpark v Cashel,Ballinakill,11.00;

Section B:Carrick-on-Suir v Clanwilliam,Carrick-on-Suir,11.00;
Galbally v Roscrea,Galbally,11.00;

North Under 15 League Section A:Newcastle West v Ballina / Killaloe,Newcastle West,11.30;
Old Crescent v U.L. Bohemian,Rosbrien,11.30;
Richmond v Kilrush,Canal Bank,12.00;

Section B:Bruff v Shannon,Bruff,11.30;
Ennis v Young Munster,Lee’s Road,11.30;
Thomond v Garryowen,Fitzgerald Park,12.00;

North Under 14 League:St. Mary’s v Bruff,Corbally,11.30;
St. Senan’s v U.L. Bohemian Hawks,Jim Slattery Park,11.30;
Young Munster v U.L. Bohemian Eagles,Derryknockane,11.30;

North Under 13 League:Richmond v Old Crescent,Canal Bank,11.00;
U.L. Bohemian Eagles v Scariff,Annacotty,11.30;
U.L. Bohemian Hawks v Ennis,Annacotty,11.30;

Under 19 Friendly:Young Munster v Nenagh Ormond,Derryknockane,1.00;

Under 18 Friendly:Bruff v Scariff,Bruff,12.30;
Richmond v St. Senan’s,Garryowen Green,11.30;

Under 17 Friendly:Old Crescent v Shannon,Rosbrien,12.00;
Young Munster v Newcastle West,Derryknockane,11.30;

Womens Munster Cup:Clonmel v Young Munster,Clonmel,1.00;
Fermoy v Highfield,Fermoy,12.00;
Galbally v Youghal,Galbally,1.00;
Tralee v U.L. Bohemian,Tralee,1.00;

TUESDAY 26th JANUARY
Avonmore Milk Schools Senior Cup:Rockwell v St. Munchin’s,Clanwilliam Park,3.00;

WEDNESDAY 27th JANUARY
Avonmore Milk Schools Senior Cup:Ard Scoil Ris v P.B.C.,Annacotty,3.00;
Crescent Comp. v C.B.C.,Dooradoyle,3.00′

THURSDAY 28th JANUARY
Avonmore Milk Schools Senior Cup:Bandon Grammar/Glenstal Abbey v Castletroy College,3.00;