Weekend Preview | Senior & Junior Leagues In Action

The five Munster sides in Division 1 of the All Ireland League are in action this weekend and there is also a full programme of games across all three divisions of the Munster Junior League.

On Friday evening, there is a basement clash in Division 1 of the All Ireland League between Garryowen and Young Munster at Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues are hovering above the drop zone following their 27-3 defeat by Cork Constitution at Temple Hill, while Young Munster’s 23-12 home defeat by Lansdowne sees them slip to seventh.

On Saturday, Shannon who have climbed up to third following their 31-20 win over UCC at Thomond Park, travel to the Capital to take on Dublin University, who have moved up to fifth after their 25-8 away win over Terenure College.

UCC, who are second from bottom and still without a win but with four bonus points to their credit, will have their work cut out as they entertain unbeaten leaders Clontarf at the Mardyke.

Second-placed Cork Constitution are away to UCD, who have slipped to sixth following their 17-6 defeat by Clontarf.

There are two games in the Munster Junior League on Saturday.

In Division 1, defending champions Bandon should prove too strong for Crosshaven as they welcome the South Cork side to Old Chapel.

Youghal are at home to Waterford City in a mid-table clash in Division 2 with the home side coming off the back of a home win over Thurles, while the Suirsiders were defeated by Clonakilty last time out.

The game of the day in Division 1 on Sunday sees unbeaten leaders and former champions Clonmel taking on Skibbereen, who are in second place at the Tipperary venue. The home side will have their work cut out in a bid to maintain their unbeaten run as the West Cork side recorded a narrow 11-10 home win over Richmond.

Richmond will be expected to maintain their challenge as they entertain Galbally who are still without a win and propping up the table.

Sixth-placed Clanwilliam face a tough assignment as they welcome Newcastle West to Tipperary Town, with the West Limerick side having ended Bandon’s unbeaten run last time out.

Fifth-placed Kilfeacle, who scored four tries in their 26-26 draw with Galbally should prove too strong for St Mary’s who are second from bottom, in West Tipperary.

Elsewhere, there is a mid-table clash in West Limerick which sees Abbeyfeale, who finally recorded their first win of the camping against Waterpark last time out, taking on St Senan’s.

Kanturk, who have climbed up the table following successive victories over Galbally and St Mary’s are away to Waterpark, who are hovering above the drop zone.

There are four Rebel County derbies in Division 2.

Runaway leaders Mallow should prove too strong for Ballincollig at Tanner Park and third-placed Kinsale will be expected to maintain their promotion challenge as they travel to East Cork to take on Cobh Pirates.

Fermoy and Charleville, who were both promoted last season, lock horns at the Showgrounds. The home side, who have climbed to fifth following their 14-11 away win over Thurles, will be looking to maintain their recent good run while Charleville were defeated 23-13 by Clonakilty at the Vale.

Fourth-placed Muskerry make the relatively short trip to Rathcooney to take on struggling Old Christians, with the Sky Blues looking to maintain their challenge.

Second-placed Clonakilty should prove too strong for Fethard at the Vale and Castleisland entertain Thurles in a basement clash.

In Division 3, Dungarvan will be looking to build on their home win over Tralee last time out as they travel to West Cork to take on Dunmanway, who are still looking for their first win.

Killarney whose only defeat was against Tralee on the opening weekend of the campaign should prove too strong for Douglas-Carrigaline in East Kerry.

Fifth-placed Ennis welcome Killorglin to the Banner County and Chorca Dhuibhne, whose only win was against Dunmanway, welcome Bantry Bay, who have two wins to their credit, to the West Kerry Gaeltacht.