Weekend Preview | AIL Resumes & Munster Junior Cup Final Stages

The All Ireland League resumes with the third last series of games down for decision that can have a bearing on places at the top and at the end of the table.

Proceedings get underway on Friday evening in North Tipperary as Nenagh Ormond welcome UL Bohemian to New Ormond Park. Nenagh Ormond, who are hovering above the drop zone, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to make it two wins out of two over the Limerick side and take another step closer to safety. The North Tipperary side were defeated 41-22 by Queen’s University in Belfast last time out, while UL Bohemian ran out 30-18 home winners over Blackrock College.

On Saturday in Division 1A, leaders Cork Constitution travel to the capital to take on fourth-placed Dublin University, who they defeated 24-13, when these sides met at Temple Hill. The Lilywhites ran out 49-17 home winners over Lansdowne last time out, while the Dublin Students were defeated 24-18 by Young Munster in Limerick.

Garryowen, who are fifth, face a tricky task as they welcome second–placed Clontarf to Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to avenge October’s 28-10 defeat when these sides met in Dublin, with both sides going into the tie on the back of victories over UCD and Shannon respectively.

UCC and Young Munster lock horns in a relegation battle at the Mardyke. Both sides are hovering above the drop zone with the Students going into the tie on the back of a 39-29 away defeat by bottom side Terenure College. Young Munster are ahead of UCC on scoring differences and they won the corresponding fixture 23-17 in October and they ran out 24-18 home winners over Dublin University last time out.

Shannon have slipped into the drop zone following their 45-12 defeat by Clontarf at Castle Avenue and they host bottom side Terenure College against whom they ran out 41-14 winners in Dublin. The Dublin side go into the tie on the back of a 39-29 home win over fellow strugglers UCC.

Highfield, who hold a ten-point advantage over second-placed Cashel in Division 2A will clinch promotion to Division 1B, together with the Division 2A title if they make it two wins out of two over the Premier County side at Woodleigh Park. Highfield ran out 17-12 winners when these sides met at the Spafield and both sides go into the tie on the back of victories over Dolphin and Galwegians respectively.

Old Crescent are at home to Dolphin by whom they were defeated 26-21 when these sides met at Irish Independent Park in October. Old Crescent are sixth following their 17-14 away win over Navan, while Dolphin are seventh following their 24-6 defeat by Highfield.

Sunday’s Well, who are propping up Division 2B on the back of a run of 11 successive defeats, which began in November, are at home to fifth-placed Corinthians. Sunday’s Well were defeated 20-17 and picked up a losing bonus point against Dungannon at Stevenson Park and their last win was against the County Tyrone side on Leeside in October. Corinthians ran out 23-19 winners when these sides met in Galway.

Midleton make the long trip North to County Down to take on Bangor against whom they ran out 34-8 home winners in October, in Division 2C. The East Cork side are ten points behind Ballina in second place and they go into the tie on the back of a 35-12 home win over Omagh. Bangor are hovering above the drop zone in eighth place following their 10-5 away defeat by City of Derry.

Third-placed Bruff will be looking to maintain their challenge for a place in the promotion play-off series as they welcome seventh-placed Tullamore to Kilballyowen Park. Bruff won October’s corresponding fixture 13-9 and they will be looking to bounce back from their 37-20 away defeat by Ballina. Tullamore were defeated 24-15 by Seapoint in County Offaly.

Bottom side Thomond are at home to fifth-placed Omagh. The County Tyrone side ran out 28-13 winners when these sides met in Limerick and Thomond go into the tie on the back of four successive defats following their 15-11 away win over Tullamore in late January. Thomond were defeated 32-22 by Malahide in Limerick last time out, while Omagh were defeated 35-12 by Midleton in East Cork.

There are also several games across various Junior competitions over the weekend.

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup quarter-finals are down for decision on Sunday.

Holders Cork Constitution are away to Newcastle West. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage in the semi-finals against the winners of the Tipperary derby between 2014 winners Clonmel and Kilfeacle.

Young Munster are at home to Highfield and the winners will be at home to Cashel or UCC, who meet at the Spafield.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate semi-finals, Midleton are at home to Old Crescent and Tralee welcome Waterford City to the Kingdom.

On Saturday evening, Cobh Pirates are at home to Castleisland in a mid-table clash in Division 2 of the Munster Junior League but Castleisland need at least a point to guarantee safety.

Richmond entertain Clanwilliam in Division 1, with a win for the Limerick side guaranteeing them a place in next season’s All Ireland Junior Cup.

Two sides battling against relegation are in action in Division 2 on Sunday as Ballincollig welcome fourth-placed Fermoy to Tanner Park and fellow strugglers Thurles are away to Old Christians.

Dungarvan are at home to Killarney in the final of the Division 3 Promotion Play-off Series to determine which side will accompany Tralee to Division 2. Dungarvan ran out 41-5 winners when these sides met in West Waterford in January and a win would see them playing in Division 2 for the third time in their history. A win for Killarney would see them return to Division 2 at the first time of asking.

Bandon are at home to Clonakilty in the semi-finals of the Cork County Cup and the winners will meet Mallow or Skibbereen, who go head to head in North Cork, in the decider.

Charleville welcome Muskerry to Smith’s Road for the second semi-final of the O’Neill Cup, with the winners meeting Kinsale in the decider.