Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW Across a busy weekend, action continues in all Divisions of both the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues. In Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League, the three Munster sides, who lost their opening games, go in search of their first victories against Dublin opposition. Cork Constitution will be looking to make the most of home advantage, as they welcome Terenure College to Temple Hill. The Lilywhites claimed a losing bonus point from their 27-22 defeat by Lansdowne in the Capital. Terenure College go into the tie on the back of a 24-15 away win over UCD. Young Munster face a tricky task, as they entertain St Mary’s College at Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick side returned with two bonus points from their narrow 35-33 defeat by Ballynahinch in County Down, as they scored five tries, in a ten-try thriller. St Mary’s College recorded a bonus point 32-21 home win over champions Clontarf. This leaves St Mary’s College in pole position, ahead of Ballynahinch on scoring differences. Nenagh Ormond travel to the Capital to take on UCD, with both sides seeking their first points. Nenagh Ormond were defeated 23-13 by Old Belvedere in North Tipperary last time out. The Dublin Students also lost their opener, 24-15 at home to Terenure College. Highfield are in Dublin to take on Blackrock College in Division 1B. Highfield ran out 21-14 home winners over Queen’s University last time out. Blackrock College were defeated 36-26 at College Park by Dublin University. Blackrock College claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries. UCC, who returned from their narrow 22-19 defeat by Garryowen in Limerick with a bonus point, will have their work cut out, as they entertain Instonians at the Mardyke. The Belfast side claimed all points on offer as they ran out 32-13 home winners over Naas. This result leaves Instonians occupying top spot, ahead of Dublin University on scoring differences. Garryowen make the long trip to Belfast to take on Queen’s University. The Sky Blues recorded a narrow 22-19 home win over UCC. The Belfast Students returned from their 21-14 defeat by Highfield on Leeside with a losing bonus point. Cashel, who are locked in a three-way tie with Galway Corinthians and Dungannon at the top of Division 2A, welcome Old Crescent to the Premier County. Cashel claimed all points on offer from their opening day 26-19 victory over Shannon at Thomond Park. Old Crescent go into the tie on the back of a 16-11 home win over Ballymena. Shannon, who claimed a losing bonus point from their 26-19 opening day defeat by Cashel at Thomond Park, travel to County Kildare, to take on MU Barnhall. MU Barnhall go into the tie on the back of a 23-14 away win over Wanderers. In Division 2B, UL Bohemian welcome Skerries to 4GUL. The Limerick side returned from their 33-21 victory over Navan in the Royal County with a bonus point. This leaves them sharing top spot with Galwegians, Sligo and Malone. Skerries were defeated 31-17 at home by Sligo in their opener. Thomond, following their opening day 29-22 home win over Bective Rangers, travel to County Antrim, to take on Ballyclare in Division 2C. The Limerick side claimed all points on offer. Ballyclare returned from their 33-27 defeat by Clonmel in South Tipperary with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Midleton, who also claimed maximum points from their 40-25 home win over Bruff, travel to the Capital, to take on Bective Rangers. The Dublin side claimed a losing bonus point from their 29-22 opening day defeat by Thomond in Limerick. Bruff face a tough assignment, as they welcome Monkstown to County Limerick. Bruff go into the tie on the back of a 40-25 away defeat by Midleton. Monkstown claimed maximum points from their comprehensive 57-20 home win over Malahide. Dolphin will have their work cut out, as they entertain Clonmel at Virgin Media Park. The Leesiders go into the tie on the back of a 33-24 away defeat by Belfast Harelquins. Clonmel claimed all points on offer from their opening day 33-27 victory over Ballyclare in South Tipperary. In the Women’s AIL, UL Bohemian, who won the title for the past two seasons, welcome Railway Union to Annacotty. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 21-12 victory over Blackrock College in Dublin. Railway Union were defeated 34-19 at home by Old Belvedere in a Dublin derby. Ennis make their home debut in the AIL with a tie against Ballincollig. The Clare side claimed all points on offer as they recorded a narrow 29-26 victory over Tullow in County Carlow. Ballincollig were defeated 29-19 at home by Galwegians in their opener.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

Action continues this weekend in Divisions 1 and 2 of the Men’s Munster Junior League, with proceedings also getting underway in Division 3. Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League continues and there is also a Women’s Division 2 Cup tie down for decision. On Saturday evening in Division 1 of the Men’s Munster League, former AIL sides Clonakilty and Kanturk go head to head at The Vale. Clonakilty go into the tie on the back of a 29-21 away win over Old Christians, where they claimed all points on offer. Kanturk came from behind to defeat Thurles 27-19 at the Duhallow venue. The game of the weekend takes place on Sunday at Old Chapel as Bandon lock horns with St Mary’s. Bandon narrowly defeated Skibbereen 24-21 at the Carbery Showgrounds and claimed maximum points. The Limerick side also go into the tie on maximum points, following their 37-8 victory over Muskerry at MultiFlow Park. The two sides who were promoted from Division 2 last season, go head to head as Clanwilliam welcome Old Christians to Tipperary Town. Both sides go in search of their first points as Clanwilliam were defeated 37-16 by Sunday’s Well on Leeside. Old Christians also lost their opener 29-21 at home to Clonakilty. Kilfeacle, following their maximum-point 45-17 victory over Richmond in Limerick, go head to head with Skibbereen in West Tipperary. Skibbereen claimed a bonus point from their 24-21 home defeat by West Cork neighbours Bandon. Sunday’s Well, who claimed all points on offer from their opener, which they won 37-16 against Clanwilliam, make the relatively short trip to Ballyanly, to take on Muskerry. The Sky Blues go into the tie on the back of a 37-8 defeat by St Mary’s in Limerick. Mallow, following their narrow 27-23 home win over Newcastle West, travel to the Premier County, to take on Thurles. The Tipperary side were defeated 27-19 by Kanturk in Duhallow last time out. Newcastle West entertain Richmond, with both sides seeking their first win. Newcastle West returned from North Cork with a losing bonus point following their narrow 27-23 defeat by Mallow. Richmond were defeated 45-17 at home by Kilfeacle. In Division 2, Charleville welcome Waterpark to Smith’s Road with both sides having claimed maximum points from their respective openers. The North Cork side defeated Abbeyfeale 50-29 in a 13-try thriller in West Limerick. The Suirsiders defeated Fermoy 41-17 at Ballinakill. Ennis and Kinsale lock horns in the Banner County and both sides are also on five points each. Ennis defeated Ballincollig 27-19 at Tanner Park, while the South Cork side ran out 47-12 home winners over Cobh Pirates. St Senan’s, who claimed all points on offer from their 24-17 away win over Carrick-on-Suir, will have their work cut out, as they entertain Abbeyfeale at Jimmy Slattery Park. The West Limerick side ran in five tries in their 50-29 home defeat by Charleville to claim a bonus point. Youghal welcome Ballincollig to East Cork, following their 33-17 away win over Fethard, where they claimed maximum points. Ballincollig go into the tie on the back of a 27-19 home defeat by Ennis. Crosshaven welcome Fethard to South Cork. Crosshaven defeated Castleisland in the Kingdom last time out, while Fethard lost 33-17 at home to Youghal. Cobh Pirates go head to head with Carrick-on-Suir at the Paddocks. The East Cork side are seeking their first points following their 47-12 defeat by Kinsale in South Cork. Carrick-on-Suir claimed a losing bonus point from their 24-17 home defeat by St Senan’s. Fermoy and Castleisland go in search of their first points at the North Cork venue. Fermoy were defeated 41-17 by Waterpark on Suirside, while the Kerry side lost 20-5 at home to Crosshaven. In the opening round of games in Division 3, Tralee, who were relegated from Division 2 last season, make the relatively short trip to Killorglin. Corca Dhuibhne meet Scariff at Tralee and Killarney host Galbally-Mitchelstown. Bantry Bay mark their return after a three-year absence with a trip to Suirside to take on Waterford City and Douglas entertain Dungarvan at Castletreasure. In Division 1 of the Munster Women’s League, Dolphin take on Bruff at Virgin Media Park. The County Limerick side ran out 22-5 home winners over Tralee in their opener at Kilballyowen Park. Roaring Water Bay host Clonakilty in a West Cork derby at Bantry. Clonakilty claimed a bonus point from their opening day defeat by Shannon, which they lost on a 12-7 scoreline. Tralee go in search of their first points as they entertain Shannon at the Kerry venue. Shannon defeated Clonakilty 12-7 in their opener. Tralee were defeated 22-5 by Bruff at the County Limerick venue. In the Munster Women’s Division 2 Cup, Ballincollig and UL Bohemian go head to head at Tanner Park.