Weekend Preview

Over a relatively quiet weekend, the All-Ireland League Round Robin final and the semi-finals of the Women’s All-Ireland League are down for decisions.

Locally, there are a handful of Junior games across an assortment of competitions, together with two Munster Women’s finals.

Munster champions Thomond lock horns with their Leinster counterparts Bective Rangers in the Men’s All-Ireland League Round Robin Play-off final at the home of Cill Dara RFC in Kildare Town. Both sides previously played in the AIL. The winners will be playing in Division 2C of the AIL next season. The losers will travel to County Tyrone, to take on Omagh Academicals in the AIL Relegation Play-off.

On Sunday in the semi-finals of the Women’s AIL, defending champions UL Bohemian welcome Blackrock College to Annacotty. The Limerick side recorded a maximum-point 31-15 victory when they met Blackrock College in Dublin in September’s opening fixture. UL Bohemian also defeated Blackrock College 19-7 in their final League game in Limerick. The winners will meet the winners of the Dublin derby between Railway Union and Old Belvedere in the decider.

Old Crescent and Shannon go head to head in the first semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup at Takumi Park. Both sides go into the tie following home wins over Highfield and Muskerry in their respective quarter finals. The winners will meet Cork Constitution or Thomond in the decider.

Clanwilliam welcome Bruff to Tipperary Town for the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate decider. Clanwilliam are looking to win the trophy for the first time since their only triumph to date in 1994, while the County Limerick side are seeking their first title.

In the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup, Nenagh Ormond will be looking to make it two wins from two, as they entertain UL Bohemian at the North Tipperary venue. Nenagh Ormond recorded a comprehensive 64-17 victory over Bruff in County Limerick, in a game that produced 13 tries. UL Bohemian are seeking their first points, as they were defeated 57-22 by Garryowen in their opener at Annacotty.

Richmond go head to head with St Mary’s in the Webb Cup decider at Canal Bank on Saturday, kick off 1pm.

Ennis-Kilrush take on Shannon-TUS in the decider of the Munster Women’s Open Cup at UL Arena. This will be preceded by the Munster Women’s Open Bowl final between Dolphin and Tralee.