Weekend Preview | AIL Second Division In Full Swing

All Ireland League action is in the second division this weekend and it is Cup action for the Junior clubs with the quarter-finals of the All Ireland Junior Cup, Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup, Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield and Martin O’Sullivan Cup all down for decision.

The game of the day in the All Ireland League is the top of the table clash in Division 2A between second placed Highfield and leaders Navan at Woodleigh Park.

The Leesiders, who recorded a maximum point 61-14 away win over Old Crescent last time out, have climbed into second place behind the Royal County side, who are unbeaten with three bonus point wins.

Third-placed Cashel face a tricky task in a bid to maintain their challenge as they travel to Stradbrook to take on Blackrock College, who have climbed to sixth place following their 18-12 away win over Queen’s University.

There are also two basement clashes involving Munster teams in this division.

Nenagh Ormond and Dolphin, who are both hovering above the drop zone, lock horns at New Ormond Park. The North Tipperary side have slipped to seventh following their 30-7 away defeat by Premier County neighbours Cashel, while Dolphin have climbed up to eighth following their second win of the campaign against Galwegians.

Old Crescent are second from bottom following their heavy home defeat against Highfield last time out and they travel to Galway to take on Galwegians, who are propping up the table on a solitary losing bonus point.

Elsewhere, fifth-placed UL Bohemian welcome Queen’s University, who are fourth, to Annacotty.

Sunday’s Well, who have slipped to fourth following their defeat by Division 2B leaders MU Barnhall in County Kildare, face another tough assignment as they welcome third-placed Wanderers to Irish Independent Park.

Division 2C leaders Midleton will have their work cut out in a bid to get back to winning ways as they travel to Limerick to take on struggling Thomond at Liam Fitzgerald Park.

Bruff, who have climbed to third following their 20-5 home win over Seapoint, make the long trip to County Down to take on fourth-placed Bangor.

In the quarter finals of the All Ireland Junior Cup, Waterpark are at home to holders Ashbourne and Clonmel welcome CIYMS to South Tipperary.

There are two local derbies in the quarter finals of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup.

Abbeyfeale are at home to West Limerick neighbours Newcastle West and the winners will be away to Richmond or St Senan’s, who go head to head at Jim Slattery Park.

Clanwilliam and West Tipperary neighbours Kilfeacle lock horns in Tipperary Town and the winners will be rewarded with a home semi-final tie against Bandon.

Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup holders Clonakilty continue their defence of the trophy with a home tie against Kinsale, with the winners at home to Ballincollig or Thurles, who meet at Tanner Park.

The other semi-final will be a Cork derby as Cobh Pirates take on Old Christians at the Paddocks, with the winners at home to Charleville or Mallow.

Martin O’Sullivan Cup holders Ennis are at home to Banner County neighbours Scariff and the winners will travel to the Kingdom to meet Killarney or Chorca Dhuibhne, who go head to head in East Kerry.

Killorglin welcome Bantry Bay to Mid Kerry and the winners will be rewarded with a home semi-final tie against Mitchelstown.