Weekend Preview

The Men’s and Women’s All Ireland Leagues continue with a full program of games across all divisions. In Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League, defending champions Cork Constitution, who are sixth, welcome second-placed St Mary’s College to Temple Hill. The Lilywhites will be looking to make the most of home advantage, as they aim to build on their narrow bonus point 28-26 victory over City of Armagh at the Ulster venue. St Mary’s College have climbed up to second place following their 32-22 home win over near neighbours Terenure College. Garryowen, who are now propping up the table, travel to the Capital to take on Terenure College at Lakelands Park. The Sky Blues were defeated 29-19 in their basement clash by UCD at Dooradoyle last time out. Terenure College go into the tie on the back of a 32-22 away defeat by St Mary’s College in a Dublin derby. Fifth-placed Young Munster welcome City of Armagh to Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick side returned with a losing bonus point from their 26-20 defeat by Clontarf in Dublin. The Ulster side also claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 28-26 home defeat by Cork Constitution. Nenagh Ormond, who are second in Division 1B, make the relatively short trip to Limerick, to take on Shannon at Thomond Park. The North Tipperary side ran out 22-14 home winners over Queen’s University last time out. Shannon have slipped to eighth following their 24-10 defeat by Blackrock College in Dublin. Third-placed UCC welcome Dublin University to the Mardyke for their Colours Match. The Leeside Students lost 31-27 at home to Old Wesley last time out. Dublin University have climbed up to seventh, following their narrow 24-22 home win over Naas. Bottom side Highfield travel to Dublin for the second week in a row, this time they face fifth-placed Old Wesley at Energia Park. Highfield lost 57-21 to Old Belvedere in Dublin last time out. Old Wesley go into the tie on the back of a 31-27 away win over UCC. Cashel, who are third in Division 2A, will have their work cut out when they travel to Galway to take on unbeaten leaders Galway Corinthians. The Tipperary side have slipped to third following their narrow 17-14 home defeat by Navan, where they claimed a losing bonus point. Galway Corinthians go into the tie on the back of a 31-14 victory over MU Barnhall in County Kildare. Old Crescent welcome Ballymena to Takumi Park, with both sides hovering above the drop zone. Old Crescent have slipped to seventh following their 35-17 defeat by Instonians in Belfast. The County Antrim side, who are eighth, recorded their first maximum-point victory, running out 37-19 winners over Buccaneers in Athlone. UL Bohemian, who remain in fourth place in Division 2B, travel to Belfast to take on Malone, who are seventh. UL Bohemian ran out 27-22 away winners over Galwegians, while the Belfast side recorded a narrow 24-22 victory over Skerries in North County Dublin. New Division 2C leaders Midleton travel to County Tyrone to take on Omagh Academicals. Midleton claimed pole position following their 21-6 victory over Bruff in East Cork. The Ulster side are hovering above the relegation zone following their 48-27 defeat by Enniscorthy in County Wexford. Dolphin, who surrendered their unbeaten run, losing 32-21 away to Belfast Harlequins, will have their work cut out, as they lock horns with second-placed Ballyclare at Virgin Media Park. This result sees the Leesiders slip to fourth. The County Antrim side have climbed up to second following their 44-38 home win over Clonmel in an 11-try thriller. Clonmel, who remain fifth, entertain seventh-placed Enniscorthy at the South Tipperary venue. Clonmel returned from County Antrim, where they were defeated 44-38 by Ballyclare in a game which produced 11 tries, with two bonus points, as they scored five tries. Enniscorthy claimed all points on offer from their 48-27 home win over Omagh Academicals. Bruff travel to the Faithful County to take on Tullamore, with both sides still without a win. The County Limerick side are propping up the table on three losing bonus point and they were defeated 21-6 by Midleton in East Cork last time out. The Offaly side were defeated 26-13 by Monkstown in Dublin. In the Women’s All Ireland League, defending champions UL Bohemian, travel to the Garden County, to take on third-placed Wicklow. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 55-8 home win over Ballincollig, while Wicklow were defeated 45-12 by Old Belvedere in Dublin. Ballincollig will have their work cut out as they welcome Blackrock College to Tanner Park. Ballincollig go into the tie on the back of a heavy 55-8 defeat by UL Bohemian in Limerick. Blackrock College put up 51 points without reply against Cooke in Dublin.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

It is a break from the Junior League this weekend with Cup action across all Three Divisions and the Munster Women’s League continues. Proceedings get underway in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup, as Bandon lock horns with Muskerry at Old Chapel for the second successive weekend. Bandon ran out 20-6 winners in their Munster Junior League encounter last weekend. The winners will be rewarded with a home quarter final against Sunday’s Well or Thurles, who go head to head at Virgin Media Park. Richmond entertain Skibbereen at the Canal Bank and the winners will have home advantage in the quarter finals against St Mary’s. Kanturk welcome Clonakilty to Duhallow and the winners will be at home to Thomond. In the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield, Ennis welcome Kinsale to the Banner County and the winners will be rewarded with a home quarter final against Old Christians. Charleville and Fermoy go head to head in a North Cork derby at Smith’s Road and the winners will be at home to Castleisland. Cobh Pirates entertain Ballincollig and the winners will have home advantage against Clanwilliam in the quarter finals. Killorglin entertain Douglas at the Mid Kerry venue in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup and the winners will be at home to Chorca Dhuibhne in the quarter finals. Scariff go head to head with Waterford City in East Clare and the winners will be away to Carrick-on-Suir. In Division 1 of the Munster Women’s League, leaders Ennis-Kilrush welcome Roaring Water Bay to the Banner County. The Clare side have maximum points from their games to date and they ran out 31-19 away winners over Shannon-TUS last time out. Roaring Water Bay are propping up the table on zero points following their 57-0 home defeat by Shannon-TUS. Dolphin entertain Tralee at Virgin Media Park, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats by Ennis-Kilrush. Dolphin were defeated 85-0 by the Clare side in the Banner County last time out. Tralee lost their only game to date, 25-12 when they met Ennis-Kilrush in Kerry. UL Bohemian, who have won their two games in Division 2 Pool A, entertain Thurles at Annacotty. UL Bohemian 36-14 maximum point winners when these sides met in the Premier County. Thurles finished their 27-22 home defeat by Bruff with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Pool B leaders Mallow, who are unbeaten, travel to West Cork to take on second-placed Clonakilty at The Vale. The West Cork side won their only game to date, running out comprehensive 72-7 home winners over Ballincollig. Mallow recorded a 33-7 away win over Midleton last time out. Ballincollig entertain Midleton at Tanner Park. Ballincollig go into the tie on the back of a heavy 72-7 defeat by Clonakilty in West Cork. Midleton are seeking their first win, following their 33-7 home defeat by Mallow. Ballincollig recorded a narrow 20-19 victory when they met Midleton in East Cork, resulting in a losing bonus point for Midleton.