All Ireland League | Weekend Preview

The final series of games in the All Ireland League before the festive break take place this weekend.

The All Ireland League reaches the half way stage this weekend and it begins with two Limerick derbies on Friday evening.

In Division 2A, Old Crescent, who have slipped to seventh following their 24-10 defeat by Blackrock College in Dublin, are at home to fourth-placed UL Bohemian, who recorded a 29-14 bonus point win against Dolphin last time out.

Bruff entertain Thomond at Kilballyowen Park in Division 2C. The County Limerick side have slipped to third following their narrow 19-14 away defeat by Malahide, from which they claimed a losing bonus point. Thomond also claimed a losing bonus point from their 27-20 home defeat by Tullamore, which moved them off the foot of the table.

Division 1A leaders Cork Constitution travel to the Capital to take on bottom side Terenure College at Lakelands Park, with the Lilywhites looking to claim all points on offer following their 26-3 home win over Young Munster last time out.

Young Munster, who are hovering above the drop zone, will have their work cut out following their defeat by Cork Constitution on Leeside as they welcome third-placed Clontarf to Tom Clifford Park.

UCC remain in the drop zone following their 31-15 defeat by Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. The Students face another tough assignment as they welcome Garryowen to the Mardyke, with the Limerick side coming off the back of a narrow 30-29 home win over Shannon.

Shannon, who claimed a losing point from their narrow defeat by Garryowen in the Limerick derby last time out, welcome sixth-placed UCD to Thomond Park, with the Dublin Students coming off the back of a maximum point home win over Terenure College.

Division 2A leaders Highfield will have their work cut out as they entertain sixth-placed Blackrock College, who ran out 24-10 home winners over Old Crescent.

Second-placed Cashel are at home to third-placed Navan with both sides coming off the back of victories over Queen’s University and Galwegians respectively.

Dolphin, who are looking to avoid a second successive relegation, are at home to Queen’s University. The Leesiders are hovering above the drop zone following their 29-14 defeat by UL Bohemian, while the Belfast Students, who are fifth, claimed a losing bonus point from their 19-13 home defeat by Cashel.

Nenagh Ormond have slipped into the drop zone following their 36-17 defeat by Highfield on Leeside and they travel to Galway for their basement clash against Galwegians, who are propping up the table.

In Division 2B, Sunday’s Well have slipped to seventh following their fourth successive defeat of the campaign against Rainey Old Boys. They travel to North County Dublin to take on bottom side Skerries, who played out a 10-10 draw against Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park.

Midleton travel to the Faithful County to take on Tullamore in Division 2C. The East Cork side have climbed up to second following their 36-7 maximum point home win over City of Derry while the County Offaly side’s 27-20 victory over Thomond moved them up to seventh.