Weekend Preview

Action resumes this weekend across the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues after a two-week break.

Seventh-placed Young Munster lock horns with Cork Constitution, who are sixth, at Tom Clifford Park, in Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats by Dublin opposition. Young Munster were defeated 34-12 by UCD at Belfield, while the Lilywhites lost 17-3 at home to Clontarf. The Limerick side have one victory to their credit and they also claimed seven bonus points from five defeats, as they scored four tries in three of these games. Cork Constitution fell to their third successive defeat last time out.

Bottom side Nenagh Ormond travel to the Capital to take on leaders St Mary’s College at Templeville Road. The North Tipperary side are still on zero points following their 24-3 home defeat by Ballynahinch. St Mary’s College surrendered their unbeaten run last time out. They were narrowly defeated 14-12 away by near neighbours Terenure College in a Dublin derby, to claim a losing bonus point.

In Division 1B, Garryowen, who have climbed up to fourth place, entertain Dublin University, who have slipped to third at Dooradoyle. The Sky Blues claimed all points on offer last time out as they defeated City of Armagh 29-15 at the Ulster venue. The Dublin Students were defeated 30-16 by Old Wesley at Energia Park.

Highfield, who are fifth, face a tricky task, as they welcome leaders Old Wesley to Woodleigh Park. The Leesiders returned from their narrow 17-15 defeat by Instonians in Belfast with a losing bonus point. Old Wesley ran out 30-16 home winners over Dublin University.

UCC, who are propping up the table, travel to the Capital to take on Blackrock College at Stradbrook. The Leeside Students claimed maximum points from their last game, where they defeated Queen’s University 27-12 at the Mardyke. This was also a Colours Match. Blackrock College have slipped to seventh, following their 32-20 defeat by Naas in County Kildare.

Shannon, who have climbed up to fourth place in Division 2A, welcome Galway Corinthians, who have climbed up to second, to Thomond Park. The Limerick side recorded a narrow 10-7 victory over Greystones at the County Wicklow venue. Galway Corinthians go into the tie on the back of a narrow 19-18 home win over Wanderers.

Cashel welcome Greystones to the Premier County. Cashel have climbed up to seventh, while the County Wicklow side have slipped to sixth, with both sides going into the tie on the back of narrow defeats, where they both claimed a losing bonus point each. The Tipperary side were defeated 29-23 by Ballymena in County Antrim, while Greystones lost 10-7 at home to Shannon.

Old Crescent, who have slipped into the drop zone, host Wanderers at Takumi Park. Old Crescent were defeated 15-7 by Banbridge in County Down, which was their fourth successive defeat of the campaign. This followed a promising start, which yielded two victories. Wanderers returned with a losing bonus point from their narrow 19-18 away defeat by Galway Corinthians, which sees them slip to fifth.

In Division 2B, second-placed UL Bohemian travel to the Yeats County, to take on Sligo at Hamilton Park in Strandhill. UL Bohemian surrendered their unbeaten start to the campaign, losing 43-21 to leaders Galwegians at 4GUL. Sligo have slipped to sixth following their 35-19 home defeat by Malone.

Division 2C leaders Thomond travel to the Capital to take on Monkstown at Park Avenue. The Limerick side were defeated 24-22 by Clonmel in South Tipperary, to surrender their unbeaten start to the campaign. Thomond also claimed a losing bonus point. Monkstown have climbed up to fifth, following their maximum-point 43-34 away win over Ballyclare.

Second-placed Clonmel travel to East Cork to take on Midleton, who are fourth. Clonmel ended Thomond’s unbeaten start to the campaign, running out 24-22 home winners over the Limerick side. Midleton go into the tie on the back of a 24-22 away defeat by Belfast Harlequins, where they claimed a losing bonus point.

Bruff, who have slipped to sixth, go head to head with Belfast Harlequins at Kilballyowen Park. Bruff returned from their 21-15 defeat by Malahide at the North County Dublin venue with a losing bonus point. Belfast Harlequins have climbed up to seventh, following their narrow 24-22 home win over Midleton.

Dolphin travel to County Antrim to take on Ballyclare, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats by Dublin opposition. The Leesiders are hovering above the relegation places in eighth place following their 25-14 defeat by Bective Rangers at Virgin Media Park. Ballyclare are second from bottom as they lost their last game 43-34 at home to Monkstown. The County Antrim side also claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

In the Women’s AIL, defending champions and new leaders UL Bohemian travel to the Garden County to take on Wicklow. UL Bohemian claimed all points on offer last time out as they ran out 36-24 maximum-point home winners over Galwegians, to keep their unbeaten run intact. Wicklow go into the tie on the back of a 48-7 defeat by Railway Union in Dublin, to slip to seventh place.

Ennis travel to the Capital to take on third-placed Blackrock College at Stradbrook. The Clare side recorded a narrow 22-19 home win over Cooke last time out, to climb up to sixth place. Blackrock College go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 60-5 home win over Tullow.

Tullow welcome Ballincollig to County Carlow, with both sides going into the tie on the back of heavy defeats by Dublin opposition. Tullow are still without a win but have two points to their credit. They were defeated 60-5 by Blackrock College at Stradbrook, to remain rooted to the foot of the table. Ballincollig, who remain in eighth place, go into the tie on the back of a 65-7 defeat by Old Belvedere at Ollie Campbell Park.

Junior Preview

The Munster Junior League continues this weekend with a full list of games across all three divisions.

On Saturday evening, Kanturk host Skibbereen in Division 1 at the Duhallow venue. Kanturk, who are third, were narrowly defeated 27-24 by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary, where they claimed a losing bonus point. Skibbereen, who are second from bottom recorded their first win of the campaign last time out, defeating Old Christians 20-16 at the Carbery Showgrounds.

The game of the day on Sunday is the meeting of Mallow and Kilfeacle at the North Cork venue. The West Tipperary side are unbeaten leaders, while Mallow share second place with Clonakilty. Kilfeacle go into the tie on the back of a narrow 27-24 home win over Kanturk, where they claimed maximum points. Mallow ran out 36-24 bonus point away winners over Bandon.

Clonakilty, who share second place with Mallow, entertain Clanwilliam at The Vale. The Tipperary Town side are presently in mid-table. The West Cork side claimed all points on offer last time out, as they ran out 28-11 home winners over Richmond. Clanwilliam also recorded a bonus point home victory in their last game as they defeated Thurles 29-27 in a Premier County derby in Tipperary Town.

Fourth-placed Sunday’s Well are in Limerick for the second successive weekend. This time they take on Richmond at Canal Bank. The Leesiders claimed a bonus point last time out, as they were defeated 17-13 by St Mary’s at MultiFlow Park. Richmond go into the tie on the back of a 28-11 defeat by Clonakilty in West Cork.

Fifth-placed St Mary’s are away to Old Christians at Rathcooney. St Mary’s ran out 17-13 home winners over Sunday’s Well in their last game. Old Christians are four points clear of the relegation places and they returned from their 20-16 away defeat by Skibbereen with a losing bonus point.

Newcastle West entertain Bandon, with both sides tied with Old Christians on 12 points. Newcastle West recorded a narrow 24-22 away win over Muskerry, while Bandon were defeated 36-24 are home by Mallow. Bandon claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Thurles entertain bottom side Muskerry, who are still without a win. Thurles claimed two bonus points from their narrow 29-27 away defeat by Clanwilliam, as they scored four tries. The Sky Blues also claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 24-22 home defeat by Newcastle West.

The game of the day in Division 2 is the meeting of Waterpark and new leaders Crosshaven at Ballinakill. The South Cork side are unbeaten and they recorded a comprehensive 55-12 home win over Abbeyfeale last time out. The Suirsiders surrendered their unbeaten run, losing 30-19 to Youghal in East Cork.

The meeting of Charleville and Ennis at Smith’s Road also doubles up as a Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield opener. Charleville are presently in mid-table and they go into this tie on the back of a 25-15 defeat by Cobh Pirates in East Cork. Ennis, who are third in the League, recorded a comprehensive 68-7 home win over Fermoy, which saw them claim maximum points. The North Cork side are beginning their defence of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield and the winners of this game will be away to Kinsale.

Kinsale, who share second place with Waterpark, travel to the Kingdom to take on Castleisland. Kinsale claimed all points on offer from their last game, where they defeated Ballincollig 20-3 at Tanner Park. Castleisland are hovering above the drop zone. They returned from their 21-15 defeat by St Senan’s in the Banner County with a losing bonus point.

St Senan’s entertain Cobh Pirates at Jimmy Slattery Park. St Senan’s share fourth place with Youghal and they ran out 21-15 home winners over Castleisland. The Pirates go into the tie on the back of a 25-15 home win over Charleville.

Youghal make the relatively short trip to the Showgrounds to take on Fermoy. The East Cork side share fourth place with St Senan’s. They ended Waterpark’s unbeaten run as they ran out 30-19 home winners over the Waterford side. Fermoy are nine points clear of the relegation places and they go into the tie on the back of a heavy 68-7 away defeat by Ennis.

Carrick-on-Suir and Ballincollig go head to head at Tybroughney, with both sides presently occupying the mid-table places. Carrick-on-Suir defeated Fethard 27-19 in a South Tipperary derby, while Ballincollig were defeated 20-3 by Kinsale at Tanner Park.

Abbeyfeale and Fethard lock horns in West Limerick, with both sides propping up the table on a single four-try bonus point each. Abbeyfeale were defeated 55-12 by Crosshaven in South Cork, while Fethard lost 27-19 at home to near neighbours Carrick-on-Suir.

In Division 3, unbeaten leaders Killarney, who have maximum points from their games to date, are at home to Bantry Bay. Killarney claimed all points on offer last timeout as they defeated Dungarvan 39-17 at the West Waterford venue. Bantry Bay are still without a win, as they were defeated 31-11 at home by Killorglin.

Second-placed Tralee welcome Scariff, who are third, to the Kingdom. Tralee recorded a maximum-point 44-12 victory over Galbally-Mitchelstown at the County Limerick venue. Scariff defeated Galbally-Mitchelstown 19-5 in East Clare.

Douglas, who are fourth, travel to Mid Kerry to take on Killorglin, who share fifth place with Corca Dhuibhne. Douglas were defeated 20-14 by Corca Dhuibhne at Castletreasure last time out. Killorglin returned from their 31-11 away win over Bantry Bay with maximum points.

Galbally-Mitchelstown host Dungarvan at the County Limerick venue, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Galbally Mitchelstown were defeated 30-19 by Scariff in East Clare. Dungarvan lost 39-17 at home to Killarney.

Waterford City entertain Corca Dhuibhne at Kilbarry. The Suirsiders were defeated 17-7 at home by Douglas, while the West Kerry Gaeltacht side recorded a 20-14 away win over Douglas.

There are also two games down for decision in the Munster Women’s League.

In Division 1, Clonakilty go head to head with Tralee at the Vale. Both sides recorded their first wins of the campaign last time out. Clonakilty ran out 15-5 home winners over Bruff. Tralee recorded a maximum-point 24-12 home win over Dolphin.

Thurles welcome Roaring Water Bay to the Premier County in Division 2, with both sides seeking their first wins of the campaign. Thurles returned with a losing bonus point from their 21-17 defeat by Mallow in North Cork. Roaring Water Bay are seeking their first points as they were defeated 50-5 by Ballincollig in their last game in Skibbereen.