Weekend Preview

The All Ireland League Division 1A final takes place as holders Cork Constitution lock horns with Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).

The Lilywhites are seeking their sixth title, while the Dublin side are looking to win the League for the third time, with their previous successes in 2013 and 2015.

Cork Constitution are also aiming to become the second club in the history of the competition to win successive titles, with Shannon being the only side to have achieved this feat on two occasions.

These sides met three times during the past season with Lansdowne running out 24-10 winners when these sides met at the Aviva Stadium in October. The Lilywhites recorded a 25-13 win at Temple Hill in March. This was Lansdowne’s second defeat of the campaign and they have since remained unbeaten.

Two weeks ago, the Dublin side ended Cork Constitution’s bid to win the Bateman Cup for a sixth successive year as they ran out 32-12 winners at Temple Hill.

The Division 2C relegation play-off between Bruff and Munster Junior League champions Bandon takes place at Kilballyowen Park on Saturday.

The County Limerick side, who first qualified for the All Ireland League in 2004, had notable success at Senior level with a few promotions along the way. Their finest hour came in 2011 when they won their only Munster Senior Cup title, which was followed up with an All Ireland Senior Cup success.

Bandon will be looking to become the second West Cork club to qualify for the AIL since their near neighbours Clonakilty, who played at this level form 2001 until 2013.

Ennis and Mallow lock horns in the second semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate in the Banner County on Sunday with the winners meeting Old Christians in the decider.

The Clare side were defeated by Fermoy in the final game of the Munster Junior League Division 3 promotion play-offs, but won the Martin O’Sullivan Cup recently when they defeated Dungarvan in Tipperary Town.

Mallow will have their work cut out if they are to extend their season by one more game, following their recent defeat by Crosshaven in the O’Neill Cup decider in Cobh.

Elsewhere, Richmond and Newcastle West go head to head in the Transfield Cup decider at Dooradoyle on Thursday evening. Richmond are bidding to win the trophy for the third successive year, while the West Limerick side’s last triumph was in 2015.

The Webb Cup Final will see Shannon face Old Crescent at Richmond Park on Friday evening.

The Munster Junior Side have made several changes for their trip to Coolmine to face Leinster on Saturday.

The side is – Warren Kelly (St. Senan’s); Dan Horgan (Muskerry), Luke Hogan (Clonmel), Eoin O’Dwyer (Thurles), Ronan O’Brien (Kanturk); Derry O’Connor (Abbeyfeale); Conor Cremin (Kanturk); Niall Campion (Clonmel), Mike Cronin (Castleisland), David O’Gorman (Clonmel); Sean Walsh (Clanwilliam), Brendan Childs (Galbally) capt; Tony Cantwell (Clonmel), Ronan Crosse (Clonmel), Kieran Downey (Castleisland).

Replacements: Mark Corby (Clonmel), Brendan Kelleher (Kanturk), Danny Lambe (Fethard), Luke Kelly (Thurles), Oisin Walsh (Galbally), Sean Herlihy (Newcastle West), Conor Cremin (Kanturk), Tom O’Callaghan (Mitchelstown), Luke Hogan (Clonmel).