Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

Action continues in the Men’s All-Ireland League, with a full series of games across all five divisions.

The three Munster sides in Division 1A are in action against Dublin opposition

Cork Constitution face a tough assignment, as they travel to the Capital, to take on unbeaten leaders St Mary’s College. The Lilywhites fell to their second defeat to date, losing 25-12 at home to Ballynahinch last week. St Mary’s College claimed maximum points last time out, as they defeated UCD 47-21 at Belfield.

Young Munster are now hovering above the drop zone and they welcome Old Belvedere to Tom Clifford Park, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. The Limerick side are still seeking their first win of the campaign, but have claimed losing bonus points from each of their games to date. They also scored four tries or more in three games. Young Munster were narrowly defeated 40-35 at home by Lansdowne, but claimed two bonus points, as they scored five tries. Old Belvedere also lost their last game, 34-12 at home to Clontarf in a Dublin derby, which sees them slip to seventh place.

Nenagh Ormond, who are still seeking their first points, will have their work cut out as they take on Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. The North Tipperary side were defeated 40-12 by Terenure last time out at Lakelands Park. Lansdowne recorded a bonus point 40-35 away win over Young Munster in an 11-try thriller, which sees them climb up to sixth place.

In Division 1B, fifth-placed Garryowen welcome Old Wesley, who are fourth, to Dooradoyle. Both sides go into the tie on the back of their first defeats of the campaign. The Sky Blues lost their last game 18-15 to Blackrock College in Dublin, but claimed a losing bonus point. Old Wesley were defeated 36-14 by Instonians in Belfast.

Highfield lock horns with near neighbours UCC in a Leeside derby at Woodleigh Park. Highfield were defeated 19-14 last time out by Naas in County Kildare, but returned with a losing bonus point. Highfield remain sixth. The Students are now propping up the table following their 24-7 home defeat by Dublin University.

Old Crescent entertain Galway Corinthians at Takumi Park in Division 2A, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Old Crescent narrowly lost 10-7 to MU Barnhall in County Kildare, but returned to Limerick with a losing bonus point. This result sees them slip to fifth place. The Galway side, who are fourth, were defeated 36-27 by Greystones in County Wicklow, but clamed a bonus point as they scored four tries.

Cashel face a tricky task as they welcome unbeaten Dungannon, who are second, to the Premier County. Cashel defeated Banbridge 24-14 in County Down last time out, to climb up to seventh. Dungannon go into the tie on the back of a 22-14 home win over Shannon.

Shannon, who are hovering above the drop zone, go head to head with second from bottom Ballymena at Thomond Park. Shannon were defeated 22-14 by Dungannon in County Tyrone last time out. Ballymena were defeated 38-17 at home by Wanderers in their last game.

UL Bohemian, who have climbed up to second place with four wins from four in Division 2B, travel to County Tyrone, to take on fifth-placed Clogher Valley. UL Bohemian claimed maximum points from their 53-17 home win over Rainey. Clogher Valley also claimed all points on offer as they put up 24 points without reply against Sligo in the Yeats County.

Division 2C leaders Thomond, who have maximum points from their gamest date, host Belfast Harlequins, who are hovering above the relegation zone. Thomond defeated Malahide 35-25 in North County Dublin to record their fourth bonus point win. Belfast Harlequins were defeated 42-12 at home by Clonmel.

Clonmel travel to the Capital to take on Monkstown at Park Avenue. The South Tipperary side have climbed up to second place, following their bonus point 42-12 away win over Belfast Harlequins. Monkstown have slipped to sixth, as they were defeated 34-21 by Bective Rangers in a Dublin derby at Energia Park.

Midleton, who remain in fourth place, welcome Malahide, who are propping up the table, to East Cork. Midleton were defeated 26-19 by Dolphin at Virgin Media Park, but finished with a losing bonus point. Malahide go into the tie on the back of a 35-25 home defeat by Thomond.

Bruff welcome Dolphin to Kilballyowen Park. Bruff have slipped to seventh following their 37-7 defeat by Ballyclare in County Antrim. Dolphin have climbed up to fifth place following their maximum-point 26-19 victory over Midleton at Virgin Media Park.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

The Munster Junior League resumes this weekend after a three-week break, with action in all three divisions. Two fixtures in Division 2 also double up as knock-out games.

On Saturday evening in Division 1, Skibbereen, who are one point above the drop zone, welcome St Mary’s to the Carbery Showgrounds. Skibbereen were defeated 29-14 by Richmond in Limerick last time out. St Mary’s, who share fourth place with Thurles and Kanturk, lost 25-13 at home to Kilfeacle, but were the only Munster side to win in the All Ireland Junior Cup last week.

Thurles, who are tied in fourth place with St Mary’s and Kanturk on nine points, go head to head with Richmond in the Premier County. Thurles claimed all points on offer from their narrow 29-27 away win over Newcastle West. Richmond, who are four points clear of the relegation zone, also claimed maximum points from their 29-14 home win over Skibbereen.

The game of the day on Sunday is the top of the table clash between joint leaders Kilfeacle and Sunday’s Well at the West Tipperary venue. Kilfeacle go into the tie on the back of a 25-17 victory over St Mary’s in Limerick. Sunday’s Well ran out 21-13 winners over Bandon at Virgin Media Park.

Second-placed Clonakilty, whose unbeaten start to the campaign was ended by their 26-19 defeat by Mallow in North Cork last time out, go head to head with Newcastle West at The Vale. The West Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a narrow 29-27 home defeat by Thurles. Newcastle West claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Old Christians, who share third spot with Mallow, are away to Bandon. Old Christians claimed all points on offer as they defeated Musketry 40-33, in game which produced 11 tries. The West Cork side go into the tie on the back of a 21-13 defeat by Sunday’s Well at Virgin Media Park.

Clanwilliam go in search of their first win, as they welcome Mallow to Tipperary Town. Clanwilliam were defeated 33-5 by Kanturk at the Duhallow venue last time out and are propping up the table with Muskerry. Mallow, who are joint third with Old Christians, go into the tie on the back of a 26-19 bonus point home win over Clonakilty.

Muskerry, who claimed their only points to date from their last game against Old Christians, lock horns with Kanturk at Ballyanly. The Sky Blues claimed two bonus points from their narrow 40-33 defeat by Old Christians at Rathcooney, as they scored five tries. Kanturk defeated Clanwilliam 33-5 at the Duhallow venue last time out.

Crosshaven, who are second host joint-leaders Kinsale in the game of the day in Division 2. This also doubles up as an O’Neill Cup semi-final, which takes place at the third time of asking. Crosshaven go into the tie on the back of a maximum-point 29-13 away win over Ballincollig. Kinsale also claimed all points on offer from their 39-15 home win over Youghal. The winners of this game will meet Youghal in the O’Neill Cup decider.

Bottom side Fethard welcome Ballincollig to South Tipperary, in a game which doubles up as a Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield tie. Fethard are propping up the table on zero points and they were defeated 54-21 by Castleisland in the Kingdom in their last game. Ballincollig are four points clear of the relegation zone and they were defeated 29-13 at Tanner Park by Crosshaven last time out. Youghal await the winners of this game in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield.

Waterpark, who share pole position with Kinsale, travel to East Cork, to take on Cobh Pirates. The Pirates claimed all points on offer last time out, as they defeated Abbeyfeale 43-19 in West Limerick, to record their first win of the campaign. The Suirsiders also recorded a bonus point as they defeated St Senan’s 44-20 at Ballinakill.

Ennis, who are tied on 11 points with Youghal in third place, welcome Abbeyfeale, who are second from bottom, to the Banner County. Ennis recorded a 21-14 away win over Carrick-on-Suir last time out. The West Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 43-19 home defeat by Cobh Pirates.

Charleville, who share fourth place with St Senan’s, entertain sixth-placed Castleisland at Smith’s Road. Charleville ran out 22-18 away winners over Fermoy last time out. The Kerry side claimed all points on offer from their 58-21 home win over Fethard.

St Senan’s go head to head with Fermoy at Jimmy Slattery Park. St Senan’s, who share fourth place with Charleville, go into the tie on the back of a 44-20 defeat by Waterpark on Suirside. Fermoy, who have claimed losing bonus points from each of their games to date are seeking their first win, following their narrow 22-18 home defeat by Charleville.

The game of the day in Division 3 is the top of the table clash between Killarney and Scariff in the Kingdom. Both sides have maximum points to date. Killarney ran out 34-33 away winners over Kerry neighbours Tralee in a 10-try thriller. Scariff defeated Killorglin 50-14 at the East Clare venue last time out.

Douglas, who are unbeaten in second place, travel to Suirside, to take on Waterford City. Douglas defeated Bantry Bay 24-12 in West Cork last time out. The Suirsiders claimed a losing bonus point from their last game, which they lost 28-21 to Galbally-Mitchelstown in County Limerick.

Tralee, who are third, are away to Galbally-Mitchelstown. Tralee claimed two bonus points last time out as they scored five tries in their narrow 34-33 home defeat by Killarney in a game which produced ten tries. Galbally-Mitchelstown go into the tie on the back of a 28-21 home win over Waterford City, where they claimed maximum points.

Killorglin go in search of their first win as they welcome Dungarvan to Mid Kerry. Killorglin go into the tie on the back of a heavy 50-14 defeat by Scariff in East Clare. Dungarvan recorded their first win of the campaign last time out as they claimed maximum points from their 25-21 home win over Corca Dhuibhne.

Corca Dhuibhne and Bantry Bay go in search of their first wins of the campaign at O’Dowd Park in Tralee. The West Kerry Gaeltacht side have two bonus points to date. They claimed a losing bonus point from their last game, which they lost 25-21 to Dungarvan in West Waterford. Bantry Bay are seeking their first points following their 24-12 home defeat by Douglas.

Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League continues.

Clonakilty, who claimed a losing bonus point from their opener, which they lost 12-7 to Shannon at Coonagh, welcome Bruff to The Vale.

The County Limerick side, who are second, were defeated 40-34 by Dolphin in their last game, at Virgin Media Park. Bruff claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Tralee, who are propping up the table on zero points, welcome Dolphin to the Kingdom. Tralee were defeated 29-17 at home by Shannon in their last game. Dolphin are on maximum points as they defeated Bruff 46-24 in their only game to date.

Proceedings get underway in Division 2 of the Munster Women’s League, as Mallow welcome Roaring Water Bay to North Cork.