Weekend Rugby Preview

A.I.L. Champions Shannon entertain neighbours Garryowen in a top of the table clash at Thomond Park on Sunday that is sure to attract a large crowd, with both sides defending 100% records.

A.I.L. Champions Shannon entertain neighbours Garryowen in a top of the table clash at Thomond Park on Sunday that is sure to attract a large crowd, with both sides defending 100% records.

Garryowen are ahead on points difference and a close struggle can be expected from these great two sides.

Cork Constitution, who recorded their first win of the campaign against Ballymena at Temple Hill last week, will be aiming to build on that success, when they travel to the Capital to take on third places U.C.D. at Belfield.

In Division 2, table toppers Dolphin welcome mid-table Old Crescent to Musgrave Park. U.C.C. face a tough test away to St. Mary’s at Templeville Road. Highfield are also in Dublin, as they face Terenure at Lakelands Park and will be hoping to end their recent bad run.

Midleton, who were 8-3 winners over Terenure in their own backyard, travel to Ballinakill to play second from bottom Waterpark and will be looking for their third successive win.

Thomond will be aiming to build on last week’s victory over Barnhall, as they host struggling Malone at Fitzgerald Park. U.L. Bohemian, who were victorious at Old Crescent’s expense in last week’s Limerick derby, will be aiming to continue their push for promotion as they entertain D.L.S.P. at Thomond Park.

In Division 3, Sunday’s Well, who surrendered their 100% record when they were beaten 25-19 by Queen’s University at Musgrave Park, will be hoping to get back to winning ways as they travel to Donnybrook to take on Old Wesley. Another top of the table clash sees Clonakilty welcoming table toppers Connemara to West Cork.

Bruff, who were 24-10 losers against City of Derry at Kilballyowen Park, are in action against Ulster opposition. This time they take on Instonians in Belfast and are seeking their second victory up North, having already recorded an away win over Portadown.

In Section A of the Munster Junior League, old rivals Clanwilliam and Kilfeacle lock horns in Tipperary Town. Neighbours Cashel are away to Charleville, and leaders Crosshaven are expected to maintain their 100% record as they take on Fermoy at The Showgrounds. There is also a Clare derby between St. Senan’s and Ennis in Shannon.

In a fairly open Section B, title aspirations are on the line for Clonmel and Skibbereen, who meet at the South Tipperary venue. Title favourites Nenagh Ormond travel to Kanturk and Youghal, who are also in contention entertain Castleisland in their own backyard. Elsewhere Abbeyfeale welcome St. Mary’s to the West Limerick venue.

In Section C, leaders Cobh Pirates host Muskerry, with the Mid-Cork side aiming to make amends for their disappointing exit from the Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup at the hands of Cashel. Waterford City and Tralee, who are both without a win so far, meet at Kilbarry. Elsewhere, Bandon welcome Richmond to West Cork and Old Christians take on Thurles at Rathcooney.

In Division 3, there is a top of the table clash at Moneygourney as Douglas host Carrick-on-Suir. Ballincollig, who were 20-15 winners over Kanturk in the O’Neill Cup, have a tough test on their hands as they welcome Galbally to Tanner Park.

Elsewhere, Presentation travel to West Waterford to take on Dungarvan, Kinsale are at home to Mallow, Killarney welcome Newport to the Kingdom and Newcastle West are at home to Kilrush.

WEEKEND FIXTURES:

FRI 5th NOVEMBER

AIB League Division 1: Belfast Harlequins v Dublin University,Deramore Park,7.30

SATURDAY 6th NOVEMBER

Celtic League: Ulster v Munster,Raven Hill,5.15

Schools Interprovincial: Ulster v Munster,Campbell College, 12.30

AIB League Division 1: Ballymena v Co. Carlow,Eaton Park,2.30 Buccaneers v Blackrock College,2.30 Clontarf v Dungannon,Castle Avenue,2.30 Lansdowne v Galwegians,Lansdowne Road,2.30 U.C.D. v Cork Constitution,Belfield,2.30

Division 2: Ballynahinch v Barnhall,Ballymacarn Park,2.30 Dolphin v Old Crescent,Musgrave Park,2.30 Old Belvedere v Bective Rangers,Anglesea Road,2.30 St. Mary’s College v U.C.C.,Templeville Road,2.30 Terenure College v Highfield,Lakelands,2.30 Thomond v Malone,Fitzgerald Park,2.30 U.L. Bohemian v D.L.S.P.,Thomond Park,2.30 Waterpark v Midleton,Ballinakill,2.30

Division 3: City of Derry v Banbridge,Judges Road,2.30 Clonakilty v Connemara,Shannon Vale,2.30 Instonians v Bruff,Shaws Bridge,2.30 Old Wesley v Sunday’s Well,Donnybrook,2.30 Portadown v Ballina,Chambers Park,2.30 Queens University v Ards,Dub Lane,2.30 Skerries v Suttonians,Holmpatrick,2.30

Under 20 South Western Conference Division 1: Bruff v Old Crescent,Bruff,2.30 Buccaneers v Sunday’s Well,Dubarry Park,2.30 Corinthians v Shannon,Corinthian Park,2.30 Garryowen v Young Munster,Dooradoyle,2.30 Highfield v Cork Constitution,Woodleigh Park,2.30 U.C.C. v U.L. Bohemian,Curaheen Road,2.30

Division 2 Section “A”: Ballina v St. Senan’s,Heffernan Park,2.30 Connemara v Monivea,Monastery Field,2.30 Ennis v Connemara,Ennis,2.30 OLBC v NUIG,Galway,2.30

Section “B”: Clonmel v Clanwilliam,Clonmel,2.30 Newcastle West v Dungarvan,Newcastle West,2.30 Waterpark v Galbally,Ballinakill,2.30

Section “C”: Clonakilty v Midleton,Shannon Vale,1.00 Kanturk v Bandon,Kanturk,2.30 Old Christians v Ballincollig,Rathcooney,2.30

Gleeson League: Shannon v Garryowen,Coonagh,1.00 St. Senan’s v Young Munster,Shannon,2.30 Thomond v Richmond,L.I.T.,2.30 U.L. Bohemian v Old Crescent,Annacotty,2.30

SUNDAY 7th NOVEMBER

AIB League Division 1: Shannon v Garryowen,Thomond Park,2.30

Division 3: Wanderers v Greystones,Lansdowne Road,2.30

Heineken Munster Junior League Section “A”: Clanwilliam v Kilfeacle,Clanwilliam Park,2.30 Charleville v Cashel,Charleville,2.30 Fermoy v Crosshaven,Fermoy,2.30 St. Senan’s v Ennis,Shannon,2.30

Section “B”: Abbeyfeale v St. Mary’s,Abbeyfeale,2.30 Clonmel v Skibbereen,Clonmel,2.30 Kanturk v Nenagh Ormond,Kanturk,2.30 Youghal v Castleisland,Youghal,2.30

Section “C”: Bandon v Richmond,Bandon,2.30 Cobh Pirates v Muskerry,Cobh,2.30 Old Christians v Thurles,Rathcooney,2.30 Waterford City v Tralee,Waterford,2.30

Division 3: Ballincollig v Galbally,Ballincollig,2.30 Douglas v Carrick-on-Suir,Moneygopurney,2.30 Dungarvan v Presentation,Dungarvan,2.30 Killarney v Newport,Killarney,2.30 Kinsale v Mallow,Kinsale,2.30 Newcastle West v Kilrush,Newcastle West,2.30

Munster Seconds League Division 1: Sunday’s Well v Thomond,Musgrave Park,2.30

Division 2: Highfield v Young MunsterWoddeligh Park,2.30 Old Crescent v Clonakilty,Rosbrien,2.30 Waterpark v U.C.C.,Ballinakill,2.30

Gleeson League: Bruff v Kilfeacle,Bruff,12.30 Cashel v Nenagh Ormond,Cashel,12.00 Clonmel v Clanwilliam,Clonmel,12.00 Scariff v Thurles,Scariff,2.30

Junior 2 League South: Ballincollig v Cobh Pirates,Ballincollig,12.00 Crosshaven v Old Christians,Crosshaven,2.30 Dolphin v Bantry Bay,Musgrave Park,2.30 Douglas v U.C.C.,Moneygourney,11.45 Shandon v Bandon,Whitechurch,2.30

Junior 3 League South: Killorglin v Carrigaline,Killorglin,2.30 Midleton v Clonakilty,Towns Park,2.30 Skibbereen v Highfield,Skibbereen,2.30 Tralee v Bandon,Tralee,2.30 U.C.C. v Charleville,Curaheen Road,2.30

Junior 4 League South: Cork Transport v Sunday’s Well,Moneygourney,12.30

Tybroughney League: Carrick-on-Suir v Waterford City,Carrick-on-Suir,2.30 Dungarvan v Waterpark,Dungarvan,2.30

West Munster League: Castleisland v Corca Dhuibhne,Castleisland,2.30 Glenbeigh v Listowel,Glenbeigh,2.30

IWRFU League: Ballincollig v Roscrea,Ballincollig,2.00