Weekend Preview | Senior & Junior Rugby

The All Ireland League resumes this weekend with a full programme of games across all five divisions.

Proceedings get underway in North Tipperary on Friday evening as Nenagh Ormond, who are propping up the table in Division 2A, entertain fifth-placed Cashel in a Premier County derby. Nenagh Ormond go into the tie on the back of a heavy 50-24 defeat by Old Crescent at Rosbrien, while their only win to date was against Rainey Old Boys on the opening weekend of the campaign. Cashel won the corresponding fixture 22-10 in November and they go into the tie on the back of a 29-10 home win over Buccaneers.

On Saturday in Division 1A, defending champions and unbeaten leaders Cork Constitution travel to County Down to take on bottom side Ballynahinch. The Lilywhites ran out 35-19 winners when these sides met at Temple Hill and they defeated UCD 29-25 in Dublin last time out.

The other three Munster sides in this division are in action against Dublin opposition.

Second-placed Garryowen welcome Terenure College, who are seventh, to Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues ran out 27-14 winners when these sides met in Dublin and they go into the tie on the back of a 15-7 away win over UCC.

Young Munster, who are sixth, travel to the Capital to take on Dublin University, who are second from bottom. The Limerick side ran out 28-24 winners when these sides met at Tom Clifford Park in November and they recorded a home 35-21 win over Ballynahinch in their last game.

UCC face a tough assignment following a run of eight successive defeats as they travel to Belfield to take on UCD. The Leeside Students are hovering above the drop zone following a 15-7 home defeat by Garryowen and they were also defeated 24-10 when they met UCD at the Mardyke. UCC’s last win was against Young Munster in Limerick in October.

Highfield, who have opened a six point gap at the top of Division 1B following their 26-13 home win over Old Wesley, are away to fifth–placed City of Armagh, against whom they ran out 21-13 winners on Leeside.

Shannon, who are fourth, face a tricky task as they travel to the Capital to take on second-placed Old Wesley at Donnybrook. The Limerick side recorded a narrow 28-25 away win over St Mary’s College last time out and they claimed a losing bonus point when they were defeated 24-20 by Old Wesley at Thomond Park.

Old Crescent have moved up to third in Division 2A following their comprehensive 50-24 home win over bottom side Nenagh Ormond. They travel to County Antrim to take on Ballymena, who are hovering above the drop zone. The Limerick side will be looking to make it two wins out of two as they ran out 43-16 winners in the corresponding fixture.

UL Bohemian, who have climbed up to sixth place following their 36-21 away win over Dolphin, face a tough assignment as they lock horns with leaders MU Barnhall, by whom they were defeated 15-8 in County Kildare, at 4G UL.

Dolphin, who are second from bottom, travel to Athlone to take on seventh-placed Buccaneers. The Leesiders go into the tie on the back of a 36-21 home defeat by UL Bohemian and they claimed a losing bonus point when they lost to Buccaneers on a 27-24 score line at Irish Independent Park.

There are two Munster derbies in Division 2C.

Fifth-placed Clonmel welcome Midleton, who are propping up the table, to South Tipperary. Clonmel go into the tie on the back of a 14-11 away win over Bruff and they won the corresponding fixture 21-6 in East Cork. Midleton were defeated 28-14 by Tullamore at Towns Park last time out.

Sixth-placed Sunday’s Well host Bruff, who are hovering above the drop zone, to Irish Independent Park. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats by Skerries and Clonmel respectively and the County Limerick side ran out 14-10 in November’s corresponding fixture.

In the Women’s AIL, unbeaten leaders UL Bohemians travel to Belfast to take on Cooke against whom they recorded a comprehensive 46-10 home win in November.

There is also a full programme of games in the Munster Junior League.

On Saturday evening, Third-placed Mallow lock horns with fourth-placed Thomond in a division 1 clash at Irish Independent Park with a 4.45pm kick off. Both sides go into the tie following victories over Clonakilty and Crosshaven respectively.

Ballincollig and Charleville lock horns in a Rebel County derby in Division 2 at Tanner Park. The Mid Cork side will be looking to build on their 25-17 away win over Fermoy in a bid to climb up the table, while Charleville go into the tie on the back of a 10-10 home draw against Kinsale.

Division 1 leaders and recently crowned All Ireland Junior Cup winners Kilfeacle welcome Waterpark, who are hovering above the drop zone, to West Tipperary. This is Kilfeacle’s first League game since their All Ireland Junior Cup triumph and they ran out 19-16 home winners over Galbally in their last League game. Waterpark claimed a losing bonus point from their 22-17 home defeat by Abbeyfeale.

Second-placed Newcastle West should prove too storing for bottom side St Senan’s in West Limerick, with the home side going into the tie on the back of a 33-26 maximum point home win over Clanwilliam. St Senan’s were defeated 27-6 by Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town last time out.

Fifth-placed Abbeyfeale, who are five points adrift of Thomond, travel to South Cork to take on Crosshaven. The West Limerick side claimed maximum points from their 34-25 home win over Clanwilliam, while the Seasiders were defeated 25-5 by Galbally.

Skibbereen are second form bottom following their 23-12 defeat by Richmond in Limerick and they are at home to Clanwilliam. The Tipperary Town side are 11 points clear of Skibbereen and will be looking to take another step closer to safety after claiming a four try bonus point from their 34-25 away defeat by Abbeyfeale.

Galbally will be looking to continue their recent good run as they entertain Bandon in a mid-table clash.

Clonakilty and Richmond go head to head at the Vale in another mid-table encounter.

Division 2 leaders Muskerry, who claimed maximum points from their 30-10 home win over Dungarvan should prove too strong for Fermoy at the Showgrounds, with the North Cork side going into the tie on the back of a 25-17 home defeat by Ballincollig.

Old Christians, who are unbeaten in second place, will be looking to reclaim pole position as they host Fethard, who are hovering above the drop zone.

Fifth-placed Kinsale, who were held to a 10-10 draw with Charleville at Smith’s Road last time out are at home to fourth-placed Dungarvan, with the West Waterford side looking to get back to winning ways following their 30-10 away defeat by Muskerry.

In other ties St Mary’s are at home to Thurles and Cobh Pirates, who are still without a win, entertain Tralee, with the Kerry side propping up the table on zero points.

The game of the day in Division 3 is the top of the table clash between leaders Killorglin and second-placed Ennis at the Mid Kerry venue, with both sides going into the tie unbeaten. Both sides go into the tie on the back of maximum point wins over Chorca Dhuibhne and Youghal respectively, while the Banner County side have two games in hand.

Fourth-placed Scariff welcome fifth-placed Waterford City to East Clare, with the home side one point behind third-placed Mitchelstown.

Youghal are at home to Dunmanway in a Cork derby and the home side will be looking to get a result after claiming a losing bonus point against Ennis in the Banner County. The West Cork side go into the tie on the back of a 13-3 home defeat by Scariff.

Douglas-Carrigaline will have their work cut out as they go in search of their first points against Killarney at Wilton and Bantry Bay are at home to Chorca Dhuibhne.