Weekend Preview

The Men’s All-Ireland League resumes this weekend after a two-week break and action also continues in the Women’s All-Ireland League, as well as the opening round of the All Ireland Junior Cup.

The game of the day in Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League takes place at Temple Hill, as Cork Constitution entertain Ballynahinch, with one point separating these sides. The Lilywhites have climbed up to second place, as they recorded a bonus point 25-17 away win over Nenagh Ormond last time out. The Ulster side have climbed up to third, following their comprehensive 57-19 home win over UCD, where they claimed all points on offer.

Young Munster host Lansdowne at Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick side will be looking to make the most of home advantage count, as they aim to record their first win of the campaign. Young Munster claimed two bonus points from their narrow 28-26 defeat to Clontarf in Dublin, as they scored four tries. This result sees them climb up to seventh place on scoring differences. Lansdowne are hovering above the drop zone following their 34-13 defeat by Terenure College in a Dublin derby at the Aviva Stadium.

Nenagh Ormond, who are propping up the table, travel to the Capital to take on Terenure College as they go in search of their first points. Nenagh Ormond were defeated 25-17 by Cork Constitution last time out, in North Tipperary. Terenure College ran out 34-13 maximum-point away winners over Lansdowne in a Dublin derby, but are in fifth place behind Old Belvedere on scoring differences.

In Division 1B, Garryowen who have climbed up to second place, travel to the capital to take on Blackrock College at Stradbrook. The Sky Blues go into the tie on the back of a bonus point 37-14 home win over Instonians. Blackrock College have climbed up to seventh place, following their narrow 20-18 victory over Queen’s University in Belfast.

Highfield have slipped to sixth, following their 36-19 home defeat by City of Armagh. They travel to County Kildare, to take on Naas, who are propping up the table on a single point. Naas claimed their only losing bonus point to date from their narrow 21-18 away defeat by Dublin University in their last game.

Second from bottom UCC welcome fifth-placed Dublin University to the Mardyke. The Leeside Students are seeking their first win, following their narrow 31-29 defeat by Old Wesley in Dublin, where they claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Dublin University go into the tie on the back of a narrow 20-18 home win over Naas.

Old Crescent, who have slipped to fourth in Division 2A, travel to County Kildare to take on unbeaten leaders MU Barnhall. The Limerick side surrendered their unbeaten start to the campaign last time out, as they were defeated 37-32 by Greystones at Takumi Park. Old Crescent claimed two bonus points, as they scored five tries. MU Barnhall returned with maximum points from their 41-15 away win over Cashel.

Shannon face a tricky task, as they travel County Tyrone to take on second-placed Dungannon. The Limerick side have climbed up to seventh place, following their maximum-point 37-31 victory over Banbridge at Thomond Park. Dungannon ran out 31-17 bonus point winners over Wanderers in Dublin last time out.

Cashel who have slipped to eighth place following their 41-15 home defeat by MU Barnhall, travel to County Down to take on bottom side Banbridge. The Ulster side are seeking their first win of the campaign. They claimed their only two points to date from their 37-31 defeat by Shannon in Limerick, as they scored four tries.

In Division 2B, third-placed UL Bohemian, will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run, as they welcome Rainey to Limerick. UL Bohemian recorded a narrow 14-10 away win over Buccaneers in Athlone last time out. The Magherafelt side are hovering above the drop zone, following their 22-19 home defeat by Sligo, where they claimed a losing bonus point.

Division 2C leaders Thomond, who have maximum points from their games to date, travel to North County Dublin, to take on Malahide. Malahide are propping up the table on a single losing bonus point. The Limerick side claimed all points on offer from their 54-32 home win over Dolphin, where they scored eight tries in a 13-try thriller at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Malahide were defeated 39-14 by Clonmel in South Tipperary last time out.

Clonmel, following their 39-14 home win over Malahide, where they claimed all points on offer, are away to Belfast Harlequins, who have slipped to sixth. Belfast Harlequins go into the tie on the back of a 68-10 defeat by Monkstown in Dublin.

Dolphin, who are now hovering above the drop zone, lock horns with Midleton at Virgin Media Park. Dolphin were defeated 54-32 by Thomond in a 13-try thriller in Limerick. They returned with a bonus point, as they scored five tries. Midleton claimed maximum points from their narrow 25-23 home win over Ballyclare.

Bruff travel to County Antrim, to take on Ballyclare, who are second from bottom. Bruff go into the tie on the back of a 25-15 home win over Bective Rangers. The Ulster side returned with a losing bonus point from their narrow 25-23 defeat by Midleton in East Cork.

In the Women’s All-Ireland League, defending champions UL Bohemian, who are one point behind leaders Galwegians in second place, make the relatively short trip to the Banner County, to take on Ennis. The Clare side surrendered their unbeaten start to the campaign, losing 33-12 away to Wicklow. UL Bohemian go into the tie on the back of a bonus point 36-0 home win over Old Belvedere.

Ballincollig, who recorded their first win of the campaign last time out, face a tough assignment, as they travel to the Capital to take on Blackrock College. Ballincollig claimed all points on offer from their 31-10 home win over Cooke, which sees them climb up to sixth. Blackrock College, who have climbed up to fourth, also claimed maximum points, following their 29-10 away win over Railway Union in a Dublin derby.

The All-Ireland Junior Cup also gets underway this weekend, with four Munster sides in action.

Kilfeacle, who won the trophy for the only time to date in 2020, travel to County Galway to take on Creggs and Muskerry travel to the Garden County, to take on Wicklow.
Bandon welcome Ulster League champions Dromore to West Cork and St Mary’s entertain Castlebar at MultiFlow Park.

There is one Munster Junior League tie down for decision as Youghal and Carrick-on-Suir, go head to head in East Cork in Division 2 on Friday evening. Both sides were promoted from Division 3 last season and are presently occupying the mid-table places. Youghal were defeated 39-15 by Kinsale in South Cork last time out. Carrick-on-Suir were defeated 21-14 by Ennis at Tybroughney, but claimed a losing bonus point.

The semi-finals of the Munster Women’s Division 1 Cup are down for decision on Sunday.

Clonakilty welcome Shannon to the Vale and Tralee entertain Bruff in the Kingdom.