Weekend Preview

The All Ireland League reaches its climax this weekend with the two Cork sides in Division 1A looking to complete their season with victories for different reasons.

On Sunday, Cork Constitution and Clontarf lock horns at the Aviva Stadium in the Division 1A title decider on Sunday.

The Temple Hill side have qualified for their fourth successive decider. Their first two appearances of this sequence were against Clontarf, with the Dublin side coming out on top in 2016 and the Lilywhites gaining revenge the following year. Cork Constitution surrendered their title against Lansdowne in last year’s decider.

The Lilywhites are seeking their sixth title, while Clontarf are seeking their fourth. Cork Constitution made it two wins out of two when these sides met in the group stage of the campaign. The Leesiders ran out 16-13 winners at Castle Avenue in early December and won the corresponding fixture at Temple Hill on a 34-24 score line in February.

Both sides were impressive in their semi-final victories last weekend and another close final can be expected.

On Saturday, UCC welcome Old Wesley to the Mardyke for the Division 1B play-off decider which the Students need to win in order to preserve their top flight status and avoid a swift return to Division 1B. College were impressive last week coming from behind to defeat Malone 27-11.

The Tony O’Flynn Memorial Cup will be played at Temple Hill on Saturday between South Junior 2 League winners Cork Constitution and Shannon, the Gleeson League winners. The Limerick clubs have dominated this competition in recent seasons.

Newcomers Ardscoil Rís Old Boys will be hoping to create their own bit of history this Friday evening when they face Old Crescent in the final of the North Munster Webb Cup at Grove Island.