Weekend Preview | Senior & Junior Rugby

It is another week of games across all five divisions of the All Ireland League this weekend.

Proceedings get underway at Temple Hill on Friday evening with the Leeside derby meeting of unbeaten leaders Cork Constitution and UCC, who are hovering above the drop zone. The Lilywhites won the corresponding fixture 10-6 at the Mardyke in November and they go into the tie on the back of a 16-5 away win over bottom side Ballynahinch. The Students were defeated 15-12 by UCD in Dublin last time out and claimed their fifth losing bonus point.

The two Limerick sides in the top flight are inaction against Dublin opposition on Saturday.

Second-placed Garryowen travel to the Capital to take on fifth-placed Clontarf at Castle Avenue. The Sky Blues won the corresponding fixture 13-10 at Dooradoyle and they recorded a narrow 8-5 home win over Terenure College last time out.

Young Munster will be looking to make it two wins out of two as they entertain fourth-placed Lansdowne against whom they ran out 7-0 winners at the Aviva Stadium in November. The Limerick side ran out 21-9 away winners over Dublin University in their last game.

Division 1B leaders Highfield hold a nine-point lead over Old Wesley and they entertain bottom side Navan at Woodleigh Park. The Leesiders go into the tie on the back of a 15-10 away win over City of Armagh.

Shannon have climbed up to third following their 17-10 away win over Old Wesley and they entertain Naas, who are hovering above the drop zone, at Thomond Park. Shannon claimed a losing bonus point from November’s 16-14 defeat when these sides met in County Kildare.

Cashel have climbed up to second place in Division 2A following their maximum point 39-26 away win over Nenagh Ormond in the Tipperary derby. They welcome Ballymena, against whom they ran out 19-12 winners in County Antrim, to the Spafield.

Old Crescent lock horns with Rainey Old Boys, with whom they are level on 38 points but trail on points’ difference, at Rosbrien, following their 7-0 away defeat by Ballymena. The Magherafelt side won the corresponding fixture 32-10 in November.

Sixth-placed UL Bohemian were defeated 25-12 by leaders MU Barnhall at 4G UL last time out and they entertain Buccaneers, by whom they were defeated 20-15 in Athlone.

Dolphin and Nenagh Ormond go head to head in a basement clash at Irish Independent Park, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats by UL Bohemian and Cashel respectively. Dolphin’s only win was when they ran out 21-18 winners in the corresponding fixture in North Tipperary.

The two sides, who are competing in the All Ireland League for the first time this season, go head to head in County Wexford as leaders Enniscorthy entertain sixth-placed Clonmel. The South Tipperary side recorded a narrow 14-11 away win over Bruff last time out and they claimed a losing bonus point from November’s 22-20 home defeat by Enniscorthy.

Bruff, who are one point above the drop zone, face a tough assignment as they welcome Omagh Academicals to Kilballyowen Park. The County Limerick side were defeated 8-3 by Sunday’s Well at Irish Independent Park and claimed a losing bonus point, while they were defeated 51-12 when they met the Ulster side in November.

Bottom side Midleton were defeated 28-14 by Tullamore in their last game at the County Offaly venue and they host Sunday’s Well by whom they were defeated 24-6 at Irish Independent Park. The Irish Independent Park side are fifth following their 8-3 home win over Bruff.

In the Women’s All Ireland League, unbeaten leaders UL Bohemian will be looking to make it ten wins from ten as they travel to North Dublin to take on Suttonians, against whom they ran out 32-22 home winners in November.

There are also a handful of games across all three divisions of the Munster Junior League down for decision this weekend following recent bad weather.

Bandon entertain third-placed Newcastle West under lights at Old Chapel on Thursday evening. The West Limerick side’s last game was a 33-26 home win over Clanwilliam in early January and they will be looking to reclaim second place from Thomond. Bandon, who are sixth, go into the tie on the back of a 15-9 away win over Galbally.

On Saturday, Clanwilliam welcome Crosshaven to Tipperary Town, with both sides going into the tie on the back of mixed results against Abbeyfeale.  Crosshaven recorded a narrow 19-17 win over the West Limerick side while Clanwilliam were defeated 34-25 in a game from which they claimed a four try bonus point.

Kilfeacle will be looking to take another step closer to their second League title as they travel to West Cork to take on Skibbereen, who are second from bottom. Kilfeacle are seven points clear of second-placed Thomond following their 31-6 home win over Waterpark, while Skibbereen go into the tie on the back of a 24-12 defeat by Richmond in Limerick.

The only game on Sunday sees Richmond taking on Mallow at Richmond Park, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats by Galbally and Thomond respectively. The Limerick side are in mid table, while Mallow are fourth after claiming a losing bonus point from their last game.

On Saturday evening in Division 2, Thurles and Ballincollig go head to head in the Premier County. The Tipperary side claimed a losing bonus point from their 24-22 away defeat by St Mary’s, while Ballincollig go into the tie on the back of a 25-17 away win over Fermoy.

There are two Cork derbies in this division on Sunday.

Fermoy, who are in mid table, face a tricky task as they welcome third-placed Kanturk to the Showgrounds, where a win would see the promotion chasing Duhallow side overtake Old Christians in second place.

Charleville, who drew 10-10 with Kinsale last time out, entertain Cobh Pirates at Smith’s Road. This is the Pirates’ first game of 2020 as they were defeated 40-10 by Kanturk in early December at the Duhallow venue. The Pirates are still without a win on three points and are hovering above the drop zone.

In Division 3, unbeaten leaders Killorglin travel to West Cork to take on Dunmanway and they will be looking to complete their campaign with ten wins from ten as they hold a ten point lead over second-placed Ennis against whom they recorded a 13-7 home win. Dunmanway were defeated 13-3 on home soil by Scariff.

Fourth-placed Scariff and second-placed Ennis lock horns in a Banner County derby at the East Clare venue and both sides have two games in hand. Ennis will be looking to get back to winning ways following their 13-7 defeat by Killorglin, while Scariff will be looking to maintain their promotion challenge following their 13-3 away win over Dunmanway.

Douglas-Carrigaline travel to West Cork to take on Bantry Bay as they go in search of their first points and Waterford City are at home to Youghal.