Weekend Preview

Over a relatively quiet weekend, the Energia Men’s and Women’s All Ireland League deciders take centre stage at the Aviva Stadium.

The finals of the AIL Promotion/Relegation Play-off series are also down for decision, together with the opening round of the Junior Interprovincial Series.

Locally the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup final and the Women’s Division 2 Cup decider take place, together with the Munster Junior 2 League decider.

The game of the weekend sees Cork Constitution going head to head with defending champions Terenure College in the Energia Men’s All Ireland League decider. This is also a repeat pairing of last year’s semi-final, which the Dublin side won 30-12 at Lakelands Park.

This season, the Lilywhites put up 20 points without reply, when these sides met at Lakelands Park in October. Terenure College recorded a narrow 26-23 away win at Temple Hill, resulting in a losing bonus point for Cork Constitution.

The Lilywhites are seeking their seventh title, while the Dublin side will be aiming to become the first Club since Shannon from 2004 to 2006 inclusive, to record back to back AIL triumphs.

The Women’s All Ireland League decider also takes place this weekend as runaway leaders UL Bohemian lock horns with Railway Union. UL Bohemian recorded a narrow 10-7 home win when these sides met at Annacotty. Railway Union were the only side to defeat UL Bohemian as they recorded maximum-point 43-22 victory when these sides met at Willow Lodge. The Limerick side claimed a bonus point as they scored four tries.

In the Division 1A/1B final, Garryowen and Old Belvedere go head to head at Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they aim to return to the top flight after a one-year absence. Garryowen won both League games against Old Belvedere as they ran our 20-12 winners at Dooradoyle in October. The Limerick side also won 28-3, when these sides met in Dublin in March.

UL Bohemian, who slipped into Division 2A’s drop zone on the last day of the campaign, will be looking to make the most of home advantage as they aim to stay in Division 2A. Following their narrow 13-12 home win over Sligo last time out, they welcome Corinthians, who defeated Wanderers 35-21 in Galway, to Annacotty.

Dolphin, who are looking to avoid a second successive relegation having occupied the relegation places in Division 2B all season, will have their work cut out, as they welcome Galwegians to Virgin Media Park. Dolphin ran out 42-20 winners over Enniscorthy at the same venue last time out, while Galwegians recorded a comprehensive 40-17 home win over Bruff.

Munster get their Junior Interprovincial campaign underway as they travel to Kilkenny to take on Leinster.

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup decider takes place at the home of St Mary’s RFC at Grove Island in Limerick as UCC go head to head with Kilfeacle.

UCC are looking to win the trophy for the first time since they defeated Richmond 12-6 in 1979, to record their 11th triumph. The West Tipperary side, who were defeated by Garryowen in last year’s decider, are aiming to go one better than last year and win the trophy for the second time to add to their only triumph to date in 2002.

The Munster Women’s Division 2 Cup decider takes place on the Back Pitch of Thomond Park between Clonakilty and Thurles.

Garryowen welcome Bandon to Dooradoyle for the Munster Junior 2 League decider.