Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW Across a busy weekend, the Men’s All Ireland League resumes after a three-week break with a full list of games across all five divisions. In Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League, Young Munster lock horns with defending champions Cork Constitution at Tom Clifford Park. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats. Young Munster remain in seventh place following their 28-18 defeat by Ballynhinch in County Down. The Lilywhites were defeated 28-12 at home by Lansdowne. This result sees Cork Constitution slip to fourth. The Leesiders ran out 25-5 in October’s corresponding fixture at Temple Hill. Bottom side Garryowen travel to the Palace Grounds to take on City of Armagh, who are hovering above the drop zone, two points clear of the relegation places. Garryowen were heavily defeated 64-22 by St Mary’s College in Limerick last time out. The Ulster side also fell to a 29-21 away defeat by fellow strugglers UCD. City of Armagh ran out 13-6 winners when these sides met in October, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Sky Blues. Newly-crowned Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup winners Nenagh Ormond welcome fourth-placed Old Wesley to North Tipperary in Division 1B. Nenagh Ormond were defeated 34-22 by Old Belvedere last time out, while Old Wesley lost 57-20 at home to Naas. These sides played out a 22-22 draw in Dublin in October. UCC go head to head with Queen’s University at the Mardyke, with both sides presently occupying the mid-table places. UCC were defeated 20-10 by struggling Shannon in Limerick last time out. The Belfast Students go into the tie on the back of a 33-14 home win over Dublin University. UCC ran out 50-14 winners when these sides met in Belfast. Ninth-placed Highfield travel to the Capital to take on Dublin University, who are four points clear of the relegation places. Highfield ran out 30-21 home winners over Blackrock College in their last game. The Dublin Students were defeated 33-14 by Queen’s University in Belfast. Dublin University ran out 26-20 winners when they met Highfield on Leeside, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Woodleigh Park side. Shannon, who are propping up the table, travel to County Kildare to take on Naas, who are sixth. Shannon defeated UCC 20-10 at Thomond Park last time out, while Naas recorded a 57-20 away win over Old Wesley. Naas recorded a 23-18 victory when these sides met in Limerick and Shannon claimed a losing bonus point. Cashel who are second in Division 2A, welcome bottom side Buccaneers to the Premier County. Cashel returned from their 31-13 victory over Ballymena in County Antrim with maximum points, while Buccaneers were defeated 35-19 at home by Banbridge. Cashel put up 43 points without reply when these sides met in Athlone. Seventh-placed Old Crescent travel to County Down to take on Banbridge, who are sixth, with ten points separating these sides. Old Crescent were defeated 22-17 by Galway Corinthians in Limerick, but claimed a losing bonus point. The Ulster side recorded a 35-19 away win over Buccaneers. Old Crescent recorded a narrow 13-12 victory over Banbridge in October’s corresponding fixture. UL Bohemian, who are sixth in Division 2B, travel to Magherafelt, to take on fourth-placed Rainey, with four points separating these sides. UL Bohemian recorded a maximum-point 27-21 home win over Clogher Valley last time out. Rainey were defeated 28-21 away by Dungannon, in an Ulster derby. UL Bohemian ran out narrow 17-15 winners, when these sides met in Limerick. Division 2C leaders Midleton travel to County Antrim to take on Ballyclare, who have climbed up to third. Midleton claimed all points on offer from their 29-24 home win over Enniscorthy last time out. The Ulster side also recorded a bonus point win as they defeated Bruff 34-32 in County Limerick. Midleton ran out 20-10 winners, when these sides met in East Cork. Dolphin, who have climbed up to fourth, entertain sixth-placed Clonmel at Virgin Media Park, with two points separating these sides. Dolphin recorded a 24-17 bonus point away win over Tullamore. Clonmel claimed a losing bonus point from their 24-21 defeat by Monkstown in South Tipperary. These sides played out a 10-10 draw in the Premier County in October. Eighth-placed Bruff, who are six points clear of the relegation place, face a tough assignment as they travel to Deramore Park to take on Belfast Harlequins. Bruff were narrowly defeated 34-32 by Ballyclare in County Limerick, but claimed two valuable bonus points, as they scored four tries. Belfast Harlequins have slipped to fifth and are one point adrift of the top four, following their 27-21 away defeat by Omagh Academicals. Belfast Harlequins won October’s corresponding fixture 7-5.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup dominates the local scene again this weekend. Holders UCC begin their defence of the trophy as they entertain 2006 winners Cobh Pirates at the Mardyke. The winners will be away in the quarter finals to Cork Constitution or Carrick-on-Suir, who meet at Temple Hill. Bandon, whose only triumph was in 2017, go head to head with Shannon, who last won the trophy in 2015, at Old Chapel. The winners will be rewarded with a home quarter final against Muskerry or 2014 winners Clonmel, who meet at Ballyanly. Highfield, whose last triumph was in 2019, entertain 2002 winners Kilfeacle at Woodleigh Park. The winners will be away to Old Crescent or Garryowen, who meet at Takumi Park. St Mary’s who won the trophy in 1968, lock horns with 2004 winners Nenagh Ormond at Grove Island. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against Thomond in the quarter finals. The first semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate is down for decision as 2011 and 2013 winners Killarney welcome 1994 winners Clanwilliam to the Kingdom. The winners will meet Bruff or 2008 winners St Senan's in the decider. There are also two ties in the Munster Junior Bowl down for decision. Castleisland, who won the trophy in 2023, host 2013 winners Waterford City in their opener at the Kerry venue. The winners will have a home semi-final with Douglas. Scariff and Youghal go head to head in the first semi-final at the East Clare venue. Newcastle West and Mallow lock horns in a relegation battle in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League in West Limerick. Newcastle West are assured of their place in the top flight for another season. Mallow only need one point to preserve their top flight status. This would put Mallow level on points with Clonakilty, but would relegate the West Cork side on the number of games won. In Division 2, Charleville and Abbeyfeale go head to head at Smith’s Road. Richmond and Thomond go head to head in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup decider at Canal Bank. Richmond are seeking their third title as they last won the trophy in 2019. Thomond’s only triumph to date was in the inaugural decider in 1990. St Senan’s, who won the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield in 2014, welcome Old Christians to the Banner County for the first semi-final. The winners will meet inaugural winners Charleville or Clanwilliam in the decider. Tralee who are third in Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League, entertain bottom side Roaring Water Bay, who are still without a win, at O’Dowd Park. The Kerry side put up 73 unanswered points when these sides met at Bantry. UL Bohemian and Mallow begin their campaign in the Munster Women’s League Division 2 Play-off series. Ennis-Kilrush go head to head with Clonakilty at Ennis in the first semi-final of the Munster Women’s Open Cup. The winners will meet Shannon-TUS or Bruff in the decider.