Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW
The Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues continue with a full series of games this weekend.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League, Cork Constitution, who have slipped to fifth following their 57-19 home defeat by St Mary’s College, travel to County Down to take on Ballynahinch. The Lilywhites are one point adrift of the top four. The Ulster side have slipped to eighth following their 52-22 defeat by Terenure College in Dublin, but they are 12 points clear of the relegation places. Ballynahinch won October’s corresponding fixture 25-12 on Leeside.

Young Munster travel to the Capital for the second successive weekend. They go head to head with Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. Young Munster returned to Limerick following their 19-15 defeat to Old Belvedere with a losing bonus point. This result has seen Young Munster slip to sixth. Lansdowne claimed all points on offer as they ran out 45-19 away winners over Nenagh Ormond, to climb up to fourth. Lansdowne recorded a maximum-point 40-35 victory when they met Young Munster in an 11-try thriller in Limerick. Young Munster claimed two bonus points, as they scored five tries.

Bottom side Nenagh Ormond will have their work cut out, as they entertain Terenure College, who have climbed up to third. The North Tipperary side, who are still seeking their first win of the campaign, are on two four-try bonus points. They were defeated 45-19 at home by Lansdowne last time out. Terenure College have climbed up to third following their 52-22 home win over Ballynahinch, which saw them claim maximum points. Terenure College won October’s corresponding fixture in Dublin on a 40-12 scoreline.

Highfield, who are fourth in Division 1B, welcome second from bottom Naas to Woodleigh Park. Highfield go into the tie on the back of a 21-15 away win over near neighbours UCC. The County Kildare side are on 31 points, but behind UCC on scoring differences. Naas ran out 46-28 home winners over Queen’s University in a 12-try thriller. Naas won October’s corresponding fixture 19-14, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Leesiders.

Garryowen, who have climbed up to fifth, entertain Blackrock College, who have climbed up to seventh. The Sky Blues are seven points adrift of the top four, while Blackrock College are one point clear of the drop zone. Garryowen returned with maximum points from their 24-19 victory over leaders Old Wesley in Dublin. Blackrock College also claimed maximum points from their 27-12 away win over City of Armagh. Blackrock College ran out 18-15 winners when they met Garryowen in Dublin, with the Limerick side claiming a losing bonus point.

UCC travel to the Capital to take on second-placed Dublin University. UCC are hovering above the relegation zone, ahead of Naas on scoring differences. UCC claimed a losing bonus point from their 21-15 home defeat by Highfield in a Leeside derby. Dublin University claimed all points on offer as they defeated Instonians 29-12 in Belfast. The Dublin Students ran out 24-7 when they met UCC on Leeside.

The game of the day in Division 2A is the meeting of third-placed Shannon and Dungannon, who are second, at Thomond Park. Shannon were defeated 16-10 by Ballymena in County Antrim last time out, but returned with a losing bonus point. Dungannon go into the tie on the back of a 33-31 home win over Cashel, which produced ten tries. Dungannon ran out 22-14 winners when they met Shannon in County Tyrone.

Cashel who are five points above the relegation places, lock horns with bottom side Banbridge in the Premier County. Cashel returned with two bonus points from their narrow 33-31 defeat by Dungannon, as they scored five tries in a ten-try thriller. Banbridge go into tie on the back of a 28-14 home defeat by MU Barnhall. Cashel ran out 24-14 winners in October’s corresponding fixture in County Down.

Old Crescent will have their work cut out, as they entertain leaders MU Barnhall at Takumi Park. The Limerick side returned from their 28-27 defeat by Galway Corinthians with a bonus point, as they scored four tries. This game, which produced ten tries, was moved to Creggs RFC in County Galway. MU Barnhall go into the tie on the back of a 28-14 bonus point away win over Banbridge. MU Barnhall recorded a narrow 10-7 victory over Old Crescent in County Kildare in October. The Limerick side returned with a losing bonus point.

In Division 2B, third-placed UL Bohemian travel to Magherafelt to take on Rainey, who are fourth. UL Bohemian go into the tie on the back of a 35-28 maximum-point home win over Clogher Valley. Rainey were defeated 34-24 by Enniscorthy in County Wexford. UL Bohemian claimed all points on offer as they ran out 53-17 winners when these sides met in Limerick.
Division 2C leaders Clonmel welcome Belfast Harlequins to South Tipperary. Clonmel go into the tie on the back of a 35-11 bonus point home win over Monkstown. Belfast Harlequins, who are second from bottom, were defeated 15-12 at home by Thomond, but claimed a losing bonus point. Clonmel claimed all points on offer when these sides met in Belfast as they ran out 42-12 winners.

Third-placed Thomond go head to head with Malahide, who are propping up the table, at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Thomond go into the tie on the back of a narrow 15-12 away win over Belfast Harlequins. Malahide lost their last game 24-15 at home to Midleton. The Limerick side claimed maximum points as they ran out 35-25 winners when these sides met in North County Dublin.

Dolphin, who have climbed up to fifth, lock horns with Midleton, who are five points clear of the drop zone, at the East Cork venue. Dolphin are six points adrift of the top four. Dolphin go into the tie on the back of a 22-3 victory over Bruff at Virgin Media Park. The East Cork side will be looking to take another step closer to safety following their 24-15 away win over Malahide. Dolphin recorded a maximum-point 26-19 victory when they met Midleton at Virgin Media Park in October. Midleton claimed a losing bonus point.

Bruff, who have slipped to sixth place, entertain seventh-placed Ballyclare at Kilballyowen Park. The County Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 22-3 defeat by Dolphin on Leeside. Ballyclare ran out 45-42 home winners over Bective Rangers, where they claimed maximum points. Ballyclare recorded a bonus point 37-7 victory when they met Bruff at the County Antrim venue in October.

In the Women’s All-Ireland League, unbeaten leaders and defending champions UL Bohemian, travel to the Capital to take on Old Belvedere, who are fourth at Ollie Campbell Park. UL Bohemian go into the tie on the back of a bonus point 47-19 home win over Ennis. Old Belvedere were defeated 27-15 by Wicklow in the Garden County. UL Bohemian claimed maximum points from October’s corresponding fixture, as they put up 36 points without reply against Old Belvedere in Limerick.

Ennis, who are seventh, host sixth-placed Wicklow in the Banner County. Ennis were defeated 47-19 by UL Bohemian in Limerick last time out. Wicklow go into the tie on the back of a 27-15 maximum-point home win over Old Belvedere. Wicklow claimed all points on offer as they ran out 33-12 winners when these sides met in the Garden County. It was also a first defeat for Ennis, following victories in their opening two games.

Ballincollig travel to Belfast to take on Cooke. Ballincollig go into the tie on the back of a heavy 62-10 home defeat by Blackrock College. The Belfast side were defeated 44-17 away by Galwegians. Ballincollig ran out 31-10 winners over Cooke to record their first win of the campaign and claim maximum points, when these sides met at Tanner Park.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup continues this weekend and there is also one Munster Junior Bowl tie down for decision. There is also an assortment of games in other Junior Provincial competitions.

Cobh Pirates, who won the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup in 2006, welcome Carrick-on-Suir to the Paddocks.

UL Bohemian, who where the last side to retain the trophy in 2009 and 2010, host 2014 winners Clonmel at Annacotty.

Waterpark, who last won the trophy in 1974, welcome Castleisland to Suirside. The Kerry side shared the trophy with Waterpark, who were then known as Waterpark Old Boys, in 1941.
Shannon, whose last triumph was in 2015, entertain Midleton at Coonagh. The East Cork side’s only triumphs were in 1997 and 1998.

Cashel, who won the trophy in 2011, make the relatively short trip to Fermoy and Douglas host 1934 winners Tralee at Casltetreasure.

Dolphin, whose last triumph was in 1944, host St Senan’s at Virgin Media Park.

In other ties, Ennis welcome Kinsale to the Banner County and Youghal take on Ballincollig at the East Cork venue.

Scariff go head to head with Waterford City at the East Clare venue in their Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl opener. The winners will be away to 2017 winners Dungarvan in the semi-finals.

The Donal Walsh U20 Cup and Plate finals are down for decision at Thomond Park. Bruff and Old Crescent open proceedings in the Plate decider. This is followed by the Cup final between Garryowen and Nenagh Ormond.

The Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup semi-finals also take place this weekend.

Richmond, who last won the trophy in 2019, welcome Bandon, whose only triumph was in 2001, to Canal Bank. The winners will meet Sunday’s Well or Kilfeacle, who last won the trophy in 2017 in the decider.

There are three games in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, with two of these games having a bearing on relegation.

On Thursday evening, St Mary’s go head to head with Kanturk at MultiFlow Park. Both sides are assured of top flight rugby next season. St Mary’s ran out 17-10 winners over Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town last time out. The Duhallow side go into the tie on the back of three successive defeats. They lost their last game 33-15 to Newcastle West in West Limerick.

On Sunday, Skibbereen who have secured their top flight status for next season, welcome Clanwilliam to West Cork. This is a must-win game for the Tipperary Town side, if they are to avoid a quick return to Division 2. Skibbereen ran out 42-31 winners over Muskerry in a ten-try thriller at the Mid Cork venue. Clanwilliam were defeated 17-10 by St Mary’s in Tipperary Town, but they finished with a losing bonus point.

Thurles and Old Christians, who are both in danger of relegation, lock horns in their final League game at the Tipperary venue. Thurles are level on 21 points with Clanwilliam, while Old Christians are on 24 points. Thurles were narrowly defeated 30-27 at home by Kilfeacle in their last game. Old Christians also lost their last game, going down 29-21 against Newcastle West at Rathcooney.

The Munster Women’s League also continues this weekend.

In Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League, Dolphin complete their programme against Tralee at Virgin Media Park. The Kerry side have a game in hand. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats. Dolphin were defeated 31-12 by Clonakilty in West Cork, while Tralee lost 20-12 away to Shannon. Tralee claimed maximum points when these sides met in the Kingdom in November, as they ran out 24-12 home winners.

Division 2 leaders Mallow go head to head with UL Bohemian, who are third, in North Cork. Mallow put up 26 points without reply against Ballincollig, where the claimed maximum points. The Limerick side also claimed all points on offer as they defeated Roaring Water Bay 46-0 at Annacotty.

Second-placed Thurles host fourth-placed Ballincollig in the Premier County. Thurles ran out 46-17 winners over Roaring Water Bay in Skibbereen, where they claimed maximum points. Ballincollig go into the tie on the back of a 26-0 home defeat by leaders Mallow. Thurles recorded a maximum-point 53-0 victory when these sides met at Tanner Park in November.