Weekend Preview

There are a handful games in the All Ireland League over the Easter Weekend together with several games across various Junior competitions.

In Division 2A of the All Ireland League second-placed Highfield welcome struggling Greystones to Woodleigh Park on Good Friday. Highfield will be looking to make it two wins out of two over the County Wicklow side in a bid to maintain their promotion challenge, following their maximum point away win over Queen’s University.

Fourth-placed Nenagh Ormond will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to maintain their challenge for a play-off place as they host bottom side Corinthians. The North Tipperary side ran out 63-24 winners when these sides met in Galway and they will be looking to bounce back from last week’s 31-24 defeat by Greystones in County Wicklow.

Dolphin remain rooted to the foot of Division 1B and they will have their work cut out as they welcome promotion-chasing Shannon to Irish Independent Park on Easter Saturday. Shannon put up 52 points without reply when these sides met at Thomond Park in October and they will be looking to claim all points on offer to move into second place ahead of Banbridge on points’ difference.

Fourth-placed UCC are at home to Naas and the Students, who are unbeaten since late January will be looking to make it two wins out of two over the County Kildare side.

Sunday’s Well, who are assured of playing in Division 2B next season, make the long trip north to Foyleside to take on bottom side City of Derry. The Leesiders, who enter the tie on the back of four successive victories, recorded their first win of the camping when these sides met at Irish Independent Park in October.

In Division 2C, Midleton will be looking to take another step closer to safety as their maximum point away win over Bangor has moved them up to seventh. They host bottom side Bective Rangers and they will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they aim to avenge October’s 34-24 defeat at Donnybrook.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, there are three quarter finals down for decision on Easter Sunday.

The Shannon v Kilfeacle fifth round tie has been postponed to next week due to bereavement in the Kilfeacle club. Newcastle West await the winners of this tie in the quarter finals.

Last season’s finalists Young Munster, who last won the trophy two years ago, welcome Cork Constitution to Tom Clifford Park. This is a repeat pairing of the 2016 decider which the Limerick side won on a 22-13 score line at Irish Independent Park. The winners will have home advantage in the semi-finals against the winners of the Tipperary derby at the Spafield between Cashel and Clonmel. The South Tipperary side, who won the trophy for the only time in their 126-year history, will be looking to make up for the disappointment of surrendering their Munster Junior League title.

Garryowen lock horns with Richmond in a Limerick City derby at Dooradoyle, with Richmond looking to claim silverware after missing out on the Munster Junior League title. The winners will have a home semi-final tie against Shannon, Kilfeacle or Newcastle West.

On Good Friday, Cobh Pirates, who are already relegated form Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, entertain Kanturk, who have finished their first season back in Junior ranks after four years in the AIL, in seventh place.

On Sunday, Youghal host Galbally in a basement clash which sees both sides seeking maximum points. A bonus point win for Youghal would leave a single point between these sides, while a maximum point win would increase the visitors’ advantage over the East Cork side to 11 points and see Youghal making an immediate return to Division 2.

There is a full programme of games in Division 2 of the Munster Junior League on Easter Sunday.

St Mary’s, who are second, travel to North Cork to take on Mallow, where a maximum point win will guarantee promotion for the Limerick side, with leaders Crosshaven not playing this weekend.

Thurles, who are seven points behind St Mary’s in third, will also be seeking maximum points from their visit to South Cork to take on Kinsale.

Killarney, who recorded their second win of the campaign against Muskerry last time out to climb out of the drop zone, are away to Ballincollig.

Mitchelstown host Waterford City, with both sides coming off the back of defeats and with two games remaining, the North Cork side will be looking to make the most of home advantage count if they are to claim maximum points and overtake Killarney.

In other ties, Clonakilty, who are a point behind Thurles in fourth will be expected to get a result against Muskerry at the Vale and Old Christians entertain Castleisland at Rathcooney.

There is one game in the Division 3 promotion play-off series as Fermoy host Tralee in their rescheduled game at the Showgrounds. The Kerry side recorded a maximum point 26-6 home win when these sides met on the opening day of the campaign in the Kingdom in October. Both sides have enjoyed recent good runs in knock-out completions and the winners will be away to Fethard in the semi-finals.