Weekend Preview

The All Ireland League continues with a full programme of games across all five divisions.

Shannon and Garryowen get proceedings underway in Division 1A on Friday evening. Shannon have climbed up to fifth following their 24-20 away win over UCD while Garryowen were narrowly defeated 23-22 by UCC at Dooradoyle. Garryowen ran out 30-29 winners when these sides met at Dooradoyle in early December.

On Saturday, UCC will have their work cut out as they welcome defending champions Lansdowne to the Mardyke. Both sides enter the tie on the back of victories over Garryowen and Dublin University respectively. The Dublin side ran out 31-15 winners when these sides met at the Aviva Stadium.

Leaders Cork Constitution travel to Limerick to take on Young Munster who they defeated 26-3 at Temple Hill. Young Munster are hovering above the drop zone following their 24-20 defeat by Clontarf at Castle Avenue, while the Lilywhites ran out 28-5 winners over Terenure College last time out.

Division 2A leaders Highfield will be looking to make it two wins out of two as they lock horns with Nenagh Ormond at Woodleigh Park and second-placed Cashel are at home to Queen’s University, who they defeated in Belfast.

Dolphin, who are battling against a second successive relegation entertain fourth-placed UL Bohemian at Irish Independent Park. The Leesiders are hovering above the drop zone following their 31-5 defeat by Queen’s University in Belfast, while UL Bohemian, who won the corresponding fixture 29-14, where defeated by Old Crescent last time out.

Old Crescent have climbed up to sixth following their 31-10 away win over UL Bohemian in the recent Limerick derby. This weekend they entertain struggling Blackrock College by whom they were defeated 24-10 when these sides met at Stradbrook.

Sunday’s Well have slipped into the drop zone following their 17-11 defeat by Skerries on Leeside which was their sixth successive defeat since the start of November. This weekend they make the long trip north to Magherafelt to take on third-placed Rainey Old Boys by whom they were defeated 17-11 at Irish Independent Park.

In Division 2C, second placed Midleton make the long trip to Foyleside to take on struggling City of Derry against whom they ran out 36-7 winners at Towns Park.

Bruff, who have slipped to fourth following their recent defeat by Thomond, face a tricky task as they welcome Malahide, by whom they were defeated 19-14 in County Dublin, to Kilballyowen Park.

Thomond, who recorded their second win of the camping against Bruff at Liam Fitzgerald Park last time out, are away to Tullamore, by whom they were defeated 27-20 when these sides met in Limerick.

At Junior Level, there is a full programme of games in the second round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, together with the quarter-finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl and the Transfield Cup decider.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, there are four Cork derbies.

Cobh Pirates, who won the trophy for the only time in their 129-year history in 2006, take on Dolphin at Irish Independent Park.

Sunday’s Well, who defeated Dunmanway in their opener at Irish Independent Park, lock horns with Youghal at the same venue.

Highfield are at home to Charleville and Old Christians and Fermoy who go head to head at Rathcooney have brought their gamer forward to Thursday night.

There are also two games featuring AIL sides as Midleton entertain UL Bohemian at Towns Park and Bruff host Cashel at the County Limerick venue.

The three Kerry sides have home advantage as Tralee entertain Ballincollig, Killarney are at home to Muskerry and Castleisland welcome Nenagh Ormond to the Kingdom.

Thurles make the long trip to West Cork to take on Clonakilty and Mallow are at home to Old Crescent.

Kinsale travel to South Tipperary to take on Fethard and Thomond are at home to Waterford City.

The quarter-finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl are also down for decision as Douglas-Carrigaline take on Bantry Bay at Wilton and Dungarvan, who won the trophy two years ago, are away to Ennis.

The Transfield Cup decider at the Markets Field is a West Limerick derby as holders Newcastle West take on near neighbours Abbeyfeale.