Weekend Preview

In a relatively quiet weekend, the All Ireland League promotion and relegation play-off series gets underway, together with the second round of games in the round-robin qualifying League series and the Bateman Cup final.

Holders Cork Constitution lock horns with Lansdowne in the Bateman Cup decider at Temple Hill. The Lilywhites are looking to win the title for the sixth successive year, while Lansdowne are seeking their first title since 1931.
In the All Ireland League Division 1B play-offs, UCC, who finished fourth in Division 1B, travel to the Capital to take on St Mary’s College at Templeville Road.
Second placed Highfield welcome third-placed City of Armagh to Woodleigh Park for their Division 2A promotion play-off. Highfield ran out 29-17 winners when these sides met in Armagh in November and they also won the corresponding fixture on Leeside 17-10.
Fourth-placed Nenagh Ormond make the relatively short trip to the UL Arena to take on UL Bohemian on the 4G Pitch.
Thomond, who have slipped to third in Division 2C following their 37-0 defeat by Sligo in Strandhill, travel to County Tyrone to take on Omagh in their promotion play-off. The games between these sides produced away winners as Omagh ran out 39-32 winners when these sides met in Limerick in November. Thomond won the corresponding fixture 10-6 in January.
In the second series of games in the round-robin Munster Junior League champions Bandon will have their work cut out as they welcome their Leinster counterparts Ashbourne to Old Chapel. The West Cork side are propping up the table following their defeat by Ballina in the opening round of games in North Mayo, where they claimed a try bonus point. The County Meath side were held to a draw by Instonians in their opener, but scored four tries to put them ahead of the Belfast side in second place.
There are also a handful of games at Junior level.
Richmond host Kilfeacle in the semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, with the winners meeting Cork Constitution in the decider on Sunday week.
The Bank of Ireland Muster Junior Plate continues as Fermoy entertain Old Christians in the first semi-final at the Showgrounds on Friday evening.
Cork Constitution take on Old Crescent in the second semi-final of the Munster Senior Seconds’ League at Temple Hill, with Garryowen awaiting the winners.
On Wednesday night next 25th April Fermoy host Mallow in the semi-final of the O’Neill Cup with Crosshaven awaiting the winners in the final.