Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

It is another busy weekend with a full series of games in the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League, defending champions Cork Constitution, who have climbed up to fourth, entertain bottom side Garryowen at Temple Hill. The Lilywhites go into the tie on the back of two bonus point victories over UCD, while Garryowen are after two successive defeats by Limerick neighbours Young Munster. Cork Constitution won the corresponding fixture 19-17 in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Sky Blues.

Young Munster, who are two points adrift of the top four in sixth place, face a tricky task as they welcome leaders St Mary’s College to Tom Clifford Park. St Mary’s College were defeated 26-5 by Lansdowne in their last game, while Young Munster ran out 26-10 away winners over Garryowen in a Limerick derby. St Mary’s College narrowly defeated Young Munster 26-24 when these sides met in Dublin. The Limerick side returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries

Nenagh Ormond, who are second in Division 1B, travel to County Kildare to take on Naas, who are two points clear of the relegation zone in eighth place. Nenagh Ormond claimed all points on offer last time out as they defeated UCC 38-24 in North Tipperary, while Naas were defeated 23-10 by leaders Old Belvedere in Dublin. Nenagh Ormond recorded a narrow 19-18 home win over Naas in the corresponding fixture, resulting in a losing bonus point for the County Kildare side.

UCC, who are six points adrift of the top four in sixth place, go head to head with fourth-placed Blackrock College at the Mardyke. The Leeside Students returned from their 38-34 defeat by Nenagh Ormond in North Tipperary with two bonus points as they scored four tries. Blackrock College ran out narrow 27-22 home winners over Dublin University. Blackrock College defeated UCC 25-5 when these sides met in Dublin.

Highfield, who have moved off the foot of the table, travel to Belfast to take on Queen’s University, who are five points clear of the drop zone in seventh place. Highfield recorded a maximum-point 36-10 home win over Shannon in their basement clash last time out. The Belfast Students were defeated 51-38 by Old Wesley in Dublin, but returned with a bonus point, as they scored four tries. Queen’s University ran out 35-17 winners, when they met Highfield on Leeside.

Shannon, who are now propping up the table, face a tough assignment, as they lock horns with leaders Old Belvedere at Thomond Park. The Limerick side were defeated 36-10 by Highfield on Leeside last time out, while Old Belvedere go into the tie on the back of a 23-10 home win over Naas. Old Belvedere ran out 39-24 winners when these sides met in Dublin. Shannon returned with a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Cashel, who are two points adrift of the top four in Division 2A, travel to Belfast to take on second-placed Instonians. Both sides have a game in hand each. The Tipperary side were defeated 30-17 by MU Barnhall in County Kildare in their last game before Christmas. The Belfast side claimed all points on offer from their 33-21 victory over Banbridge, which was also played before the Festive Season. Instonians ran out 40-25 winners when they met Cashel in the Premier County.

Old Crescent, who are eight points clear of the relegation zone in seventh place, travel to County Kildare to take on fourth-placed MU Barnhall, who have a game in hand. Old Crescent were defeated 25-13 by Greystones at home last time out, while MU Barnhall ran out 30-17 home winners over Cashel before Christmas. The County Kildare side defeated Old Crescent 29-21, when these sides met in Limerick.

UL Bohemian, who have climbed up to third in Division 2B, travel to County Tyrone to take on Dungannon. UL Bohemian claimed all points on offer as they defeated struggling Malahide 33-26 in Limerick. Dungannon, who are second, ran out 31-14 bonus point home winners over Malone. UL Bohemian claimed maximum points from December’s 33-26 home encounter over Dungannon, where the Ulster side clamed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Unbeaten leaders in Division 2C Midleton, travel to South Tipperary, to take on Clonmel, who are in fifth place behind Dolphin on scoring difference. Midleton ran out 18-13 winners over Dolphin in East Cork, while Clonmel defeated Bruff 28-7 at St Munchin’s College in Limerick. Midleton recorded a narrow 24-20 home victory over Clonmel in December’s corresponding fixture, resulting in a losing bonus point for the South Tipperary side.

Dolphin, who have slipped to fourth, will have their work cut out, as they lock horns with third-placed Enniscorthy at Virgin Media Park. Dolphin claimed a losing bonus point from their 18-13 defeat by Midleton in East Cork, while Enniscorthy ran out 16-10 home winners over Monkstown. Enniscorthy ran out 12-5 winners when they met Dolphin in County Wexford.

Bruff, who are one point clear of the relegation places, travel to County Tyrone, to take on bottom side Omagh Academicals. Bruff were defeated 28-7 by Clonmel in their home fixture, which was played at St Munchin’s College in Limerick. The Ulster side are now propping up the table following their 19-13 defeat by Tullamore in County Offaly, where they claimed a losing bonus point. Bruff ran out 27-19 home winners in December’s corresponding fixture.

In the Women’s AIL, defending champions UL Bohemian, who are second, are away to seventh-placed Suttonians. UL Bohemian ran out 50-17 home winners over Galwegians, while Suttonians claimed a losing bonus point from their 22-20 home defeat by Blackrock College.

Eighth-placed Ballincollig, who have a game in hand, entertain fifth-placed Wicklow. Ballincollig fell to a heavy 58-3 home defeat by Railway Union last time out, while Wicklow recorded a narrow 27-22 away win over Cooke. Wicklow recorded a comprehensive 49-5 victory, when they met Ballincollig in the Garden County.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

Locally the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup gets underway and there are also games in Divisions 1 and 2 of the Men’s Munster Junior League and an assortment of Women’s Competitions.

The opening round of games in the Bank of Ireland Junior Cup gets under way on Friday evening, with Youghal hosting Fermoy and the remainder of the ties are down for decision on Sunday. The winners of the Youghal and Fermoy tie will be away to Ballincollig in Round 2 which is scheduled for the 26^th January.

Bruff welcome Killorglin to Kilballyowen Park. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against Dungarvan or Midleton, who meet at the West Waterford venue.

Castleisland go head to head with Carrick-on-Suir in the Kingdom. The winners will have home advantage against Ennis in Round 2.

Clonmel, whose only triumph was in 2014, entertain Douglas at the South Tipperary venue, with the winners hosting St Senan’s in the next round.

Killarney entertain Waterford City at the Kerry venue and the winners will be at home to 2006 winners Cobh Pirates.

Waterpark, whose last triumph was in 1974, make the long trip to East Clare to take on Scariff, with home advantage against Old Crescent awaiting the winners.

In Division 1 of the Men’s Munster Junior League, runaway leaders Thomond entertain Crosshaven at Liam Fitzgerald Park, with the South Cork side having won their last two games, to move themselves five points clear of the relegation zone. Thomond, who have maximum points from their games to date, recorded a comprehensive 50-21 victory over Newcastle West in their last game before Christmas. Crosshaven recorded a narrow 20-17 home win over Sunday’s Well.

Second-placed Kilfeacle travel to West Cork to take on Skibbereen, who share fifth place with Muskerry, at the Carbery Showgrounds. Kilfeacle ran out 22-10 home winners over Richmond last time out, while Skibbereen defeated Bandon 7-0 in a West Cork derby.

Bandon, who are third, travel to Limerick to take on St Mary’s at Grove Island. Bandon claimed a losing bonus point from their 7-0 home defeat by Skibbereen, while St Mary’s were defeated 37-7 by Muskerry in Mid Cork.

Fourth-placed Sunday’s Well face a tricky task as they go head to head with Muskerry, who share fifth place with Skibbereen, at Virgin Media Park. Sunday’s Well claimed a losing bonus point from their 20-17 defeat by Crosshaven in South Cork, while Muskerry go into the tie on the back of a 37-7 maximum-point home win over St Mary’s.

Kanturk, who share sixth place with St Mary’s, lock horns with Clonakilty at the Duhallow venue, in a bid to record their first home win of the campaign. Kanturk recorded a 29-15 bonus point away win over Mallow in their last game before Christmas. Clonakilty, who are five points clear of the relegation zone, claimed a losing bonus point from their 28-24 defeat by Thomond at the West Cork venue.

Bottom side Mallow entertain Thurles, who are hovering above the drop zone. Mallow claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 16-13 defeat by Richmond in Limerick, while Thurles were defeated 24-14 away by Thomond.

Richmond host Newcastle West, who are second from bottom at Canal Bank. Richmond were defeated 22-10 by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary, while Newcastle West fell to a 50-21 defeat by Thomond.

Joint leaders in Division 2 Clanwilliam, welcome Cobh Pirates, who share third place with Kinsale, to Tipperary Town. Clanwilliam claimed all points on offer from their 42-20 victory over St Senan’s at the Clare venue. The Pirates also recorded a bonus point victory as they defeated Kinsale 39-10 in East Cork.

Old Christians, who share pole position with Clanwilliam, are away to fourth-placed Ballincollig. Old Christians ran out 37-7 home winners over Fethard, where they claimed all points on offer, Ballincollig were defeated 25-17 by Ennis in the Banner County.

Kinsale, who are joint-fourth, face a tough assignment, as they welcome third-placed Ennis to South Cork. Ennis recorded a bonus point 25-17 home win over Ballincollig last time out. Kinsale were defeated 39-10 by Cobh Pirates, with whom they share fourth place.

Abbeyfeale, who are hovering above the drop zone, will have their work cut out, as they entertain St Senan’s at the West Limerick venue. Abbeyfeale claimed a losing bonus point from their last game in which they were narrowly defeated 17-15 at home by Fermoy. St Senan’s were defeated 42-20 by Clanwilliam at the Clare venue last time out.

Fethard welcome Tralee, who are propping up the table, to South Tipperary. Fethard were defeated 37-7 by Old Christians at Rathcooney last time out, while Tralee lost their game 59-17 against Old Christians in the Kingdom in November.

In Division 1 of the Munster Women’s League, unbeaten leaders Ennis-Kilrush, who have maximum points from their games to date, go head to head with Shannon-TUS at Kilrush. The Clare side put up 85 points without replay in their last game in November against Dolphin. Shannon-TUS ran out 57-0 winners over Dolphin at Coonagh. Ennis-Kilrush recorded a 31-19 bonus point win when they met Shannon-TUS at Coonagh in November.

Roaring Water Bay go in search of their first points as they go head to head with Dolphin at the Carbery Showgrounds. Both sides go into the tie on the back of 57-0 defeats by Shannon-TUS. Dolphin claimed their only points of the campaign as they defeated the West Cork side 33-5, to claim all points on offer at Virgin Media Park in October.

Bruff and Thurles go head to head in the opening round of the Munster Women’s Open Cup at Kilballyowen Park. The winners will be away to Roaring Water Bay in the quarter finals.