Senior & Junior Weekend Preview

It is another busy weekend of action across all five divisions of the All Ireland League this weekend.

Proceedings get underway with two games on Leeside on Friday evening.

UCC, who slipped to their second successive defeat in Division 1A against Terenure College in Dublin last time out after a promising start to the campaign, will have their work cut out as they entertain unbeaten leaders and defending champions Cork Constitution at the Mardyke. The Temple Hill side will be looking to make it six wins from six following their 25-22 home win over Dublin University.

Sunday’s Well host Midleton in a basement clash in Division 2C at Irish Independent Park. The East Cork side are propping up the table following their 33-19 home defeat by Omagh, while Sunday’s Well are hovering above the drop zone following their 24-5 defeat by Enniscorthy in the Model County.

Garryowen welcome Clontarf to Dooradoyle for Saturday’s mid-table clash in Division 1A. The Sky Blues will be looking to build on their Limerick derby win over Young Munster, while Clontarf were narrowly defeated 17-13 at Castle Avenue last time out.

Young Munster, who are propping up the table following their 19-13 home defeat by Garryowen, travel to the Capital to take on Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. The Limerick side are still without a win but have claimed four losing bonus points from as many defeats, in addition to two points from a 9-9 draw with UCD at Belfield.

Division 1B leaders Highfield will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run as they travel to the Royal County to take on Navan, who are propping up the table on a single losing bonus point.

Shannon, who have climbed up to third following their maximum-point win over City of Armagh last time out, travel to County Kildare to take on Naas, who are second from bottom.

In Division 2A, third-placed Cashel travel to County Antrim to take on sixth-placed Ballymena at Eaton Park. The Tipperary side claimed a losing bonus point against Rainey Old Boys at the Spafield, while Ballymena were held to a 26-26 draw by Dolphin on Leeside.

Old Crescent, who are fifth following their maximum-point home win over Queen’s University, face a tricky task as they travel to Magherafelt to take on second-placed Rainey Old Boys.

UL Bohemian, who recorded their first win of the campaign against Neagh Ormond last time out, travel to Athlone to take on Buccaneers, who are hovering above the drop zone.

Nenagh Ormond, who claimed a losing bonus point against UL Bohemian last time out, welcome Dolphin to North Tipperary. The Leesiders, who are still without a win, picked up their first points from their 26-26 draw with Ballymena at Irish Independent Park.

Clonmel and Enniscorthy, who were winners of their respective Provincial Junior Leagues last season, go head to head in South Tipperary. The County Wexford side are in pole position following their 24-5 home win over Sunday’s Well, while Clonmel were defeated 12-5 by City of Derry on Foyleside. This is the first meeting of theses sides since April’s Round-robin tie in the Model County which Enniscorthy won 46-5.

Third-placed Bruff face a tricky task following their 31-17 away defeat by Skerries, as they travel to County Tyrone to take on fourth-placed Omagh, who claimed maximum points against Midleton in East Cork.

There is also quarter-final action this weekend in the All Ireland Junior Cup, the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup, the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield and the Martin O’Sullivan, together with one game in Division Two of the Munster Junior League.

Crosshaven, who were the only Munster Club to win the All Ireland Junior Cup to date, make the long trip to County Antrim to take on Ballyclare.

Kilfeacle who reached the final two seasons ago have a home tie against Kilkenny.

Richmond continue their defence of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup with a home tie against Newcastle West. The winners will be rewarded with a home semi-final tie against the winners of Clanwilliam v Waterpark opening round 1 tie with the winners facing Crosshaven in Round 2.

Abbeyfeale entertain Mallow in West Limerick, with the winners awaiting Bandon or Kilfeacle in the semi-finals.

In the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield, the tie of the round is the meeting of Kanturk and Dungarvan in Duhallow. These sides were early pacesetters in Division 2 of the Junior League and this is their second meeting in two weeks, with Dungarvan having run out 22-16 home winners in their League meeting. The winners will have home advantage in the semi-finals against Ballincollig or Thurles, who lock horns at Tanner Park.

The other semi-final will be a Rebel County derby as Kinsale entertain Old Christians and the winners will have a home semi-final with Muskerry or Cobh Pirates, who meet at Ellis Park.

Martin O’Sullivan Cup holders Killarney make the long trip to East Clare to take on Scariff. The winners will be at home to Ennis or Dunmanway, who also go head to head in the Banner County.

Youghal are at home to last season’s finalists Killorglin and the winners will be at home to Waterford City or Mitchelstown, who meet on Suirside.

The only game in the Munster Junior League is the meeting of Tralee and Charleville in Division 2 in the Kingdom. The Kerry side are eighth following their heavy defeat by Thurles in the Premier County, while Charleville’s last game was an 18-3 away to Muskerry.