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Weekend Preview

23rd January 2025 By The Editor

Weekend Preview

Photo credit Colbert O'Sullivan

SENIOR PREVIEW

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

The game of the day in Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League is the meeting of leaders St Mary’s College and defending champions Cork Constitution at Templeville Road in Dublin. The Lilywhites claimed all points on offer from their 43-10 victory over Garryowen on Leeside. St Mary’s College also recorded a bonus point win, running out 35-20 winners over Young Munster in Limerick. These sides played out a 27-27 draw on Leeside in November.

Young Munster, who are six points adrift of the top four in sixth place, travel to the Palace Grounds to take on City of Armagh. The Limerick side were defeated 35-20 at home by St Mary’s College, while the Ulster side lost 22-14 to Lansdowne in Dublin. City of Armagh won November’s corresponding fixture 31-24 in Limerick, where Young Munster claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Bottom side Garryowen will have their work cut out as they lock horns with fourth-placed Terenure College at Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues fell to their tenth straight defeat as they lost 43-10 against Cork Constitution at Temple Hill last time out. The Dublin side go into the tie on the back of a 25-11 home win over struggling UCD. Terenure College won November’s corresponding fixture 42-26, where Garryowen claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Nenagh Ormond, who are second in Division 1B, welcome Shannon, who are propping up the table, to North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond are seven points behind leaders Old Belvedere, as they were defeated 27-21 in their last game by Naas in County Kildare, but returned with a losing bonus point. Shannon also claimed a losing bonus point from their last game, which they lost 24-22 to Old Belvedere at Thomond Park. The North Tipperary side won November’s corresponding fixture 42-15 at Thomond Park and claimed maximum points.

Fifth-placed UCC, who are a single point behind fourth-placed Blackrock College, travel to the Capital to face Dublin University. The Leeside Students recorded a maximum-point 26-17 home win over Blackrock College last time out. Dublin University are now hovering above the drop zone following their 27-12 away defeat by Old Wesley. UCC ran out 25-20 winners when theses sides met in the Colours game at the Mardyke, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Dublin Students.

Highfield face a tricky task as they entertain third-placed Old Wesley at Woodleigh Park. Highfield were defeated 52-26 by Queen’s University in Belfast, but returned with a bonus point, as they scored four tries. Old Wesley ran out 27-12 away winners over Dublin University in their last game. Old Wesley defeated Highfield 55-14 when these sides met in Dublin.

Cashel, who have slipped to fifth in Division 2A, following their narrow 36-34 defeat by Instonians in Belfast, will be looking to make the most of home advantage, as they welcome Galway Corinthians, who are second, to the Premier County. The Tipperary side returned with two bonus points from Belfast, as they scored four tries. The Galway side go into the tie on the back of a narrow 19-16 home win over Banbridge. Cashel’s last win of the campaign was November’s corresponding fixture in Galway, where they recorded a narrow 41-39 bonus point victory.

Old Crescent are now hovering above the drop zone following their 22-10 defeat by MU Barnhall in County Kildare. They travel to County Antrim to take on Ballymena, who are second from bottom, with eight points separating these sides. The Ulster side were defeated 46-12 by Greystones in County Wicklow last time out. The Limerick side’s last victory was when they defeated Ballymena 29-24 in November’s corresponding fixture.

UL Bohemian, who are fourth in Division 2B, go head to head with struggling Malone at 4GUL. The Limerick side were defeated 23-13 by Dungannon in County Tyrone last timeout, while Malone were defeated 50-13 by Rainey in Magherafelt. Malone ran out 30-21 winners when they met UL Bohemian in Belfast.

Division 2C leaders Midleton, will be looking to get back to winning ways as they entertain bottom side Omagh Academicals at Towns Park. The East Cork side remain in pole position despite their 29-11 away defeat by Clonmel. The Ulster side were defeated 23-20 at home by fellow strugglers Bruff and claimed a losing bonus point. Midleton recorded a comprehensive 41-7 maximum-point victory when these sides met in County Tyrone.

Dolphin, who have climbed up to third, travel to County Antrim to take on Ballyclare. The Leesiders claimed all points on offer from their 54-28 victory over Enniscorthy at Virgin Media Park. The Ulster side have slipped to seventh, following their 46-33 defeat by Monkstown in Dublin. Dolphin recorded a narrow 28-27 victory when they met Ballyclare in November’s corresponding fixture on Leeside.

Clonmel, who have climbed in to the top four, travel to County Wexford to take on Enniscorthy, who have slipped to fifth, with a solitary point separating these sides. The South Tipperary side go into the tie on the back of a 29-11 home win over Midleton Enniscorthy were defeated 54-28 by Dolphin on Leeside, but returned with a bonus point, as they scored four tries. The County Wexford side ran out 26-19 winners in November’s corresponding fixture..

Bruff, who are four points clear of the drop zone, lock horns with Tullamore, who are second from bottom, at Kilballyowen Park. Bruff recorded a narrow 23-20 away win over Omagh Academicals last time out. Tullamore were defeated 28-21 away by Belfast Harlequins, but claimed a losing bonus point. Bruff recorded their first victory of the campaign, running out 22-8 winners when these sides met in the Faithful County.

In the Women’s All-Ireland League, second placed UL Bohemian travel to County Carlow to take on bottom side Tullow, who are on zero points. UL Bohemian ran out 57-17 away winners over Suttonians last timeout, while Tullow fell to a heavy 70-0 defeat to Blackrock College in Dublin. UL Bohemian recorded a 109- 12 victory when these sides met in Limerick just before Christmas.

Ballincollig travel to Belfast to take on Cooke and both these sides have a game in hand each. The Belfast side were defeated 71-5 by Railway Union in Dublin, while Ballincollig lost 44-26 at home to Wicklow.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup continues, with the second round of games down for decision.

Proceedings start on Friday evening, as Ballincollig welcome Fermoy, who recorded a surprise 19-18 away win over Youghal, to Tanner Park.

Old Christians, whose only triumph was in 1965, go head to head with Kinsale at Rathcooney. This also doubles up as a Munster Junior League Division 2 game. Old Christians share pole position with Clanwilliam, following their comprehensive 61-12 away victory over Ballincollig. Kinsale are 15 points behind the leaders following their narrow 27-25 victory over Ennis in South Cork, where they claimed maximum points.

There is a local derby in Tipperary as Cashel, who won trophy in 2011, host Clanwilliam, whose only triumph was in 1947.

Midleton, who won back-to-back triumphs in 1997 and 1998 travel to County Limerick, to take on Bruff.

Tralee, who won the trophy for the only time in 1934, are at home to Abbeyfeale, who won the Munster Junior Cup in 1964 and 1966.

Cobh Pirates, whose only triumph was in 2006, are away to Killarney and Dolphin, who last won the trophy in 1944, host Charleville at Virgin Media Park.

UL Bohemian, who won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010, host Fethard and Waterpark, whose last triumph was in 1974, entertain Old Crescent.

Clonmel, who won the trophy in 2014, entertain St Senan’s and Carrick-on-Suir host Ennis.

The draw for the third round will be announced on Sunday evening.

The quarter finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl are also down for decision.

Dungarvan, who won the trophy in 2017, entertain Scariff at the West Waterford venue. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage in the semi-finals against Killorglin or Youghal, who meet in the Kingdom.

Castleisland welcome Waterford City to Kerry and the winners will be at home to Douglas in the semi-finals.

At the foot of Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, bottom side Newcastle West welcome Mallow to West Limerick. The North Cork side moved off the foot of the table following their 19-3 home win over Thurles. The West Limerick side claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 19-17 defeat by Richmond at Canal Bank.

Thurles, who are one point clear of the relegation places, will have their work cut out as they welcome Kanturk to the Premier County. The Tipperary side were defeated 19-3 by Mallow in North Cork. The Duhallow side, who are sixth, recorded their first home win last time out, as they defeated Clonakilty 32-19, to claim all points on offer. Kanturk are also looking to maintain their unbeaten run on the road.

In the semi-finals of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup, Bandon host Richmond at Old Chapel and the winners will meet Thomond or Kilfeacle, who go head to head at Liam Fitzgerald Park, in the decider.

Runaway leaders in the Munster Women’s League Ennis-Kilrush, who have maximum points from their games to date, welcome Tralee to Ennis. The Clare side ran out 42-22 winners over Shannon-TUS at Kilrush last time out. The Kingdom side recorded their only win of the campaign to date in their last game in November, when they defeated Dolphin 62-21 on Leeside. Ennis-Kilrush won October’s corresponding fixture 25-12 in Kerry.

Second-placed Shannon-TUS welcome Roaring Water Bay to Coonagh. Shannon-TUS were defeated 42-22 by Ennis-Kilrush in the Banner County, while Roaring Water Bay claimed their only points to date from a 27-27 draw with Dolphin at the Carbery Showgrounds. Shannon-TUS put up 57 points without reply when they met Roaring Water Bay in West Cork.

Midleton go head to head with Bruff in the first semi-final of the Munster Women’s Division 2 Cup at Towns Park. The winners will meet UL Bohemian, Clonakilty or Thurles in the decider.

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