Weekend Preview

The final series of games across all five divisions of the All Ireland League before the play-offs are down for decision this weekend, with all fixtures the reversals of those played on the opening day of the campaign.

Division 1A leaders and former champions Cork Constitution, who are already assured of a home semi-final tie against fourth–placed Dublin University, are at home to bottom side Shannon. The Lilywhites ran out 27-7 winners when these sides met in Temple Hill and they defeated Leeside neighbours UCC 27-7 last time out. Shannon go into the tie on the back of seven successive defeats with their last win against UCD at Belfield in January.

Garryowen travel to the Capital for the second successive weekend. Following last weekend’s heavy defeat by defending champions Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium, which ended their top-four aspirations, they take on Dublin University at College Park. Garryowen, who are fifth, ran out 27-25 winners when these sides met in Limerick.

UCC, who are hovering above the drop zone, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they entertain seventh-placed UCD in a bid to take another step closer to safety, following their 37-19 defeat by Cork Constitution at Temple Hill. UCD won the corresponding fixture 39-28 at Belfield in September.

Sixth-placed Young Munster are away to struggling Terenure College, who go into the tie on the back of three successive wins. Young Munster defeated Shannon 33-7 in a local derby last time out and they defeated Terenure College 22-5 at Tom Clifford Park.

Division 2A champions Highfield will be looking to complete their season on a winning note as they welcome UL Bohemian against whom they began their campaign with a 36-10 at the UL Arena, to Woodleigh Park.

Dolphin, who are seventh. are at home to second-placed Cashel, by whom they were defeated 26-10 on the opening day of the campaign, in the Premier County.

Old Crescent, who are sixth, are at home to fourth-placed Queen’s University against whom they ran out 21-19 winners when these sides met in Belfast.

Nenagh Ormond welcome third-placed Navan to New Ormond Park. The North Tipperary side were held to a 23-23 draw by fellow strugglers Blackrock College last week and they were defeated 36-16 when these sides met in County Meath. Navan go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 83-7 home win over Dolphin.

Sunday’s Well, who have been relegated from Division 2B, travel to the Yeats County to take on fourth-placed Sligo in Strandhill.

In Division 2C, second-placed Midleton lock horns with Bruff, who are fourth at Kilballyowen Park. The East Cork side began their campaign with a 35-8 home win over Bruff and they recorded 31-15 home win over Seapoint last time out, while the County Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 27-19 away defeat by City of Derry.

Thomond, who are propping up the table travel to Killiney to take on Seapoint. The Limerick side recorded a valuable 21-10 home win over Bangor last time out and will be depending on other results in a bid to avoid automatic relegation to Junior ranks.

The final series of games in the Round-robin series sees Munster Junior League champions Clonmel, travelling to Belfast to take on former AIL side Instonians. This is a must win game for the South Tipperary side if they are to finish second behind Enniscorthy and qualify for a play-off with whatever side finishes second from bottom in Division 2C.

The finals of the South Munster Junior 2 League and its North Munster equivalent, the Gleeson League are down for decision this weekend.

Cork Constitution take on Midleton at Towns Park on Friday evening.

Irrespective of the outcome, the Lilywhites will meet the winners of the Gleeson League final between Shannon and Carrick-on-Suir, which takes place at Clanwilliam Park on Saturday, in the final for the Tony O’Flynn Munster Junior 2 League title.