Preview | Senior & Junior Rugby

It is another busy weekend as action continues in the Men’s and Women’s All Ireland Leagues on Saturday. On Sunday there is action in all three sections of the Munster Junior League and the Munster Women’s League also get underway. In Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League, Cork Constitution, who narrowly defeated Young Munster at Temple Hill, travel to the Capital to take on last season’s beaten finalists Terenure College. The Dublin side claimed maximum points from their 39-3 win over Shannon last time out. There is a Limerick derby at Tom Clifford Park, which sees Young Munster and Garryowen both seeking their first win. Young Munster were narrowly defeated 19-18 by Cork Constitution in their opener, while Garryowen were heavily defeated 50-14 by Dublin University at Dooradoyle. Shannon, who are propping up the table following their 39-3 defeat by Terenure College at Thomond Park, travel to County Down to take on Ballynahinch. The Ulster side, who narrowly avoided relegation last season go into the tie on the back of a 34-31 maximum-point win against Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. Last season’s promotion hopefuls in Division 1B Highfield, travel to County Kildare to take on Naas. Highfield ran out 26-20 bonus point winners over Banbridge last time out, while Naas are propping up the table, following their 37-7 defeat by Old Wesley at Energia Park. UCC are second following their 36-12 maximum-point away win over Malone. They face a tricky task as they entertain City of Armagh, who recorded a narrow 22-20 home win over Buccaneers. Nenagh Ormond, who defeated UL Bohemian 20-5 at the UL Arena last time out in Division 2A, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they entertain MU Barnhall. The County Kildare side go into the tie on the back of a 44-27 maximum-point home win over Old Crescent. Last season’s promotion hopefuls Cashel, following their narrow 20-19 defeat by Navan in the Royal County, welcome UL Bohemian, who are seeking their first points to the Spafield. Old Crescent face a tough assignment as they welcome leaders and last season’s promotion hopefuls Queen’s University to Takumi Park. Old Crescent were defeated 44-27 by MU Barnhall in County Kildare but claimed a bonus point as they scored four tries. Queen’s University recorded a comprehensive 69-12 home win over Dolphin. Bottom side Dolphin go in search of their first points as they entertain Blackrock College at Musgrave Park. The Dublin side claimed maximum points from their 38-24 home win over Ballymena. There is a local derby at Towns Park in Division 2C, which sees Midleton taking on Sunday’s Well, with both sides seeking their first points. Midleton were defeated 18-8 by Clonmel in South Tipperary, while Sunday’s Well lost 30-21 to Bangor in County Down. Second-placed Clonmel travel to County Tyrone to take on Omagh Academicals, who were narrowly defeated 20-18 by Bruff at Kilballyowen Park. Bruff are away to bottom side Tullamore, who were defeated 39-21 by Instonians in Belfast. In the Women’s All Ireland League, Ballincollig, who are propping up the table go in search of their first points as they entertain Wicklow at Tanner Park. The Garden County side claimed two bonus points last time out as they scored four tries in their narrow 27-24 home defeat by UL Bohemian.

Junior Rugby

The game of the day in Section A of the Munster Junior League is the meeting of 2018 champions Bandon and defending champions Newcastle West at Old Chapel. Both sides go into the tie on the back of victories over Thurles and Kilfeacle respectively. This is also a repeat of last season’s title decider, which Newcastle West won 26-10 in West Limerick in March. Clonakilty and Mallow who were defeated by Thomond and Richmond respectively last time out go head to head at the Vale. These sides are also due to meet in the Cork County Cup decider on the October Bank Holiday Monday. Skibbereen who claimed maximum points from their opener against Abbeyfeale in West Limerick, face a tricky task as they entertain Thomond, who narrowly defeated Clonakilty 24-20 at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Clanwilliam and Abbeyfeale both go in search of their first points in Tipperary Town, following defeats by Waterpark and Skibbereen respectively. Richmond, who defeated Mallow 17-5 in North Cork entertain Crosshaven, who defeated Old Christians 25-18 at Myrtleville Cross. Muskerry, who claimed maximum points from their opener against St Mary’s, face a tough assignment as they travel to West Tipperary to take on Kilfeacle, who are seeking their first points. Old Christians, who claimed a losing bonus point from their 25-18 defeat by Crosshaven, are at home to Thurles, who claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries, in their narrrow 26-24 home defeat by Bandon. St Mary’s will have their work cut out as they go in search of their first points against Waterpark at Grove Island. In Section B, Carrick-on-Suir, after a six-year absence from the Munster Junior League, begin their campaign with a tough assignment against Fermoy at Tybroughney. The North Cork side defeated Dungarvan 48-22 in their opener. St Senan’s who defeated Cobh Pirates 23-19 at the Paddocks go head to head with Waterford City, who claimed maximum points from their opener against Ennis on Suirside. Fethard recorded a bonus point 37-16 win over Youghal, they travel to the Banner County to take on Ennis, who were defeated 35-21 by Waterford City. Galbally-Mitchelstown entertain Cobh Pirates, with both sides going into the tie on the back of losing bonus point defeats against Scariff and St Senan’s respectively. Dungarvan, who were defeated 48-22 by Fermoy, but scored four tries to earn a bonus point, welcome Scariff, who recorded a narrow win over Galbally-Mitchelstown, to West Waterford. There are two derbies in Cork in and one in Kerry in the opening round of Section C. In the two Cork derbies, Kinsale are at home to Bantry Bay and Kanturk entertain Douglas. In the Kingdom, Tralee lock horns with Killarney at O’Dowd Park. Elsewhere, Ballincollig welcome Castleisland to Tanner Park and Charleville entertain Killorglin at Smith’s Road. The only game in Conference A of the Munster Women’s League is the meeting of Shannon-LIT and UL Bohemians. In Conference B, Ennis welcome Thurles to the Banner County and Waterpark entertain Ballincollig. Mallow lock horns with Dolphin in Conference C and Midleton and Bantry Bay go head to head at the Towns Park.