On Friday evening Shannon and UL Bohemian lock horns in a Limerick derby at Thomond Park in Division 1B of the All-Ireland League. Shannon will be looking to take another step closer to safety as their 26-22 away win over Old Wesley has lifted them out of the drop zone. UL Bohemian, who recorded a narrow 14-13 win when these sides met in November, were defeated 27-24 by Naas at the 4G Pitch in UL last week.
Nenagh Ormond, who are second in Division 2A travel to Galway to take on Corinthians, who have moved out of the drop zone following their 22-17 home win over Banbridge. The North Tipperary side will be looking to maintain their promotion challenge as they recorded a 28-6 home win when these sides met in November.
Bruff and Kanturk who have both been climbing up the table in a bid to preserve their AIL status go head to head at Kilballyowen Park. The County Limerick side ran out 36-8 winners when these sides met in Duhallow and they are now fifth. Kanturk are hovering above the drop zone following their 24-16 home defeat by second-placed Rainey Old Boys.
On Saturday the game of the day in Division 1A is a repeat of last year’s decider as defending champions Clontarf, who are fourth, take on third-placed Cork Constitution at Castle Avenue. The Temple Hill side avenged last season’s final defeat as they defeated ‘Tarf 24-17 on Leeside. They will also be looking to make it two wins out of two over the defending champions and build on their recent home win over Dublin University.
Second-placed Young Munster host bottom side Terenure College and they will be expected to make it two wins out of two as they recorded a 31-23 victory when these sides met in Dublin.
Garryowen, who have slipped to sixth following their recent 32-13 home defeat by Young Munster, travel to the Capital to take on struggling St Mary’s College at Templeville Road. The Limerick side will be looking to get a result as they ran out 43-38 winners at Dooradoyle in November.
In Division 1B UCC will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in their bid to take another step closer to safety, following their recent ten-point away over Dolphin, as they welcome third-placed Ballynahinch to the Mardyke. The Ulster side ran out 15-10 winners when these sides met in County Down.
Dolphin, who are propping up the table, face a tough assignment as they travel to County Kildare to take on fourth-placed Naas against whom they claimed a losing bonus point in November.
Division 2A leaders Highfield make the long trip to Belfast to take on bottom side Belfast Harlequins, who they defeated 73-5 at Woodleigh Park in November.
Cashel, who have slipped back into the relegation zone, will have their work cut out as they entertain Banbridge against whom they claimed a losing bonus point from a 7-5 defeat in County Down.
Old Crescent, who are third in Division 2B, will be looking to climb further up the table as they travel to Foyleside to take on City of Derry at Judge’s Road. The Limerick side put up 59 points without reply when these sides met at Rosbrien.
Bottom side Thomond will have their work cut out as they host leaders Armagh who ran out 71-10 winners over the Limerick side at the Palace Grounds in November.
Midleton, who have taken a slide down the Division 2C table following a run of successive defeats face a tricky task as they welcome third-placed Sligo to Towns Park. Midleton returned home with a losing bonus point as Sligo recorded a narrow 22-20 win when these sides met in the Yeats County.
See full fixtures for the weekend here