Weekend Preview

The Men’s All-Ireland League resumes this weekend after a two-week break.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League, Cork Constitution will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they lock horns with champions Clontarf at Temple Hill. The Lilywhites have slipped to sixth, having lost both of their last two games against Ballynahinch at home and to St Mary’s College in Dublin. Cork Constitution returned from Templeville Road with two bonus points last time out, as they scored four tries. Clontarf claimed all points on offer from their last game, where they defeated UCD 29-12 at Castle Avenue in a Dublin derby, which sees them climb up to third.

Young Munster, who have climbed up to seventh place, travel to the Capital to take on UCD at Belfield. The Limerick side recorded their first win of the campaign last time out as they defeated Old Belvedere 22-13 at Tom Clifford Park. The Dublin Students go into the tie on the back of a 29-12 away defeat by Clontarf.

Nenagh Ormond are still without a win and they face a tricky task as they entertain Ballynahinch in North Tipperary. The Premier County side remain rooted to the foot of the table on zero points. Nenagh Ormond go into the tie on the back of a heavy 62-17 defeat by Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. Ballynahinch have slipped to fifth place, as they were defeated 52-12 by Terenure College in County Down.

Highfield have climbed up to fifth in Division 1B and they travel to Belfast to take on Instonians. Highfield defeated near neighbours UCC 22-13 at Woodleigh Park last time out. The Belfast side have slipped to third place as they were defeated 29-24 away by Dublin University. Instonians returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

UCC, who are propping up the table, go in search of their first win of the campaign, as they entertain Queen’s University at the Mardyke. This is also a Colours match. UCC were defeated 22-13 away by Highfield in a Leeside derby. Queen’s University are three points clear of the relegation zone in eighth place and they go into the tie on the back of a 36-31 bonus point home win over Naas.

Garryowen are away to City of Armagh, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Garryowen were defeated 41-17 at home by Old Wesley, which sees them slip to seventh place. The Ulster side lost their last game 31-24 against Blackrock College in Dublin, where the claimed a losing bonus point, which leaves them fourth.

Shannon travel to County Wicklow to take on Greystones in Division 2A. The Limerick side claimed all points on offer last time out, as they defeated Ballymena 41-10 at Thomond Park, which sees them in sixth place. Greystones have slipped to fifth, as they were defeated 38-21 by Wanderers in Dublin.

Old Crescent travel to County Down to take on bottom side Banbridge. The Limerick side have slipped to seventh place as they were defeated 20-10 at home by Galway Corinthians in their last game. Banbridge go into the tie on the back of a 32-12 defeat by MU Barnhall in County Kildare

Cashel, who are now hovering above the drop zone, travel to County Antrim to take on Ballymena, who are second from bottom. Cashel shared the spoils with Dungannon, following their 25-25 draw in the Premier County. Ballymena, who are four points behind Cashel, go into the tie on the back of a 41-10 defeat by Shannon in Limerick.

The game of the day in Division 2B is the meeting of second-placed UL Bohemian and leaders Galwegians at 4GUL. Both sides have won all their games to date, with Galwegians leading by a single point, having claimed maximum points. UL Bohemian returned with all points on offer from their 29-21 away win over Clogher Valley in County Tyrone. The Galway side go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 48-8 home win over Sligo

In Division 2C, second-placed Clonmel lock horns with leaders Thomond in South Tipperary. Clonmel go into the tie on the back of a narrow 14-10 away win over Monkstown. The Limerick side, who have maximum points from their games to date, defeated Belfast Harlequins 55-10 at Liam Fitzgerald Park.

Fourth-placed Midleton are away to Belfast Harelquins, who are one point adrift of the drop zone. The East Cork side ran out 43-34 bonus point home winners over Malahide last time out. Belfast Harlequins were defeated 55-10 by Thomond in Limerick.

Bruff, who have climbed up to fifth, travel to North County Dublin, to take on Malahide, who are propping up the table on two points. Bruff ran out 21-15 home winners over Dolphin last time out. Malahide were defeated 43-34 by Midleton in East Cork, but claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Dolphin, who have slipped to sixth, entertain third-placed Bective Rangers at Virgin Media Park. Dolphin were defeated 21-15 by Bruff in County Limerick last time out, but returned with a losing bonus point. The Dublin side go into the tie on the back of a 36-17 maximum point home win over Ballyclare

Action also continues this weekend in the Women’s All-Ireland League

The game of the day at 4GUL sees defending champions UL Bohemian going head to head with leaders Galwegians. Both sides are unbeaten and the Galway side lead by a single point, having claimed maximum points from their games to date. UL Bohemian put up 98 points without reply against Cooke last time out. Galwegians ran out 39-0 home winners over Ennis.

Ennis, who have slipped to seventh, welcome Cooke to the Banner County. The Clare side, who made a promising start to their first campaign in the Women’s AIL, won their first two games. They go into the tie on the back of their third successive defeat, where they lost 39-0 away to Galwegians. The Belfast side, who are ninth, were defeated 98-0 by UL Bohemian in Limerick.

Ballincollig have slipped to eighth and they travel to the Capital to take on Old Belvedere, who have climbed up to fourth. Ballincollig were defeated 31-19 by Railway Union at Tanner Park last time out. Old Belvedere recorded a maximum point 79-0 victory over Tullow in County Carlow.

The quarter finals of the All-Ireland Junior Cup are also down for decision this weekend

St Mary’s are Munster’s sole representatives and they take on Creggs at MultiFlow Park.