Weekend Preview

The Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues continue with full program of games across all divisions.

The three Munster sides in Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League are in action agaisnt Dublin opposition.

Sixth-placed Cork Constitution welcome Old Belvedere, who have climbed up to seventh, to Temple Hill. The Lilywhites claimed all points on offer last time out as they recorded a narrow 29-26 away win over Young Munster in Limerick. This result followed three successive defeats for the Leesiders. Old Belvedere go into the tie on the back of a 36-12 bonus point home win over UCD in a Dublin derby.

Young Munster are hovering above the drop zone and they travel to the Capital to take on Terenure College at Lakelands Park. The Limerick side have slipped to eighth place following their 29-26 home defeat by Cork Constitution. They claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Terenure College have slipped to fourth following their 29-24 away defeat by Clontarf. Terenure College also scored four tries to claim two bonus points.

Nenagh Ormond remain rooted to the foot of the table on zero points and they host second-placed Clontarf in North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond were defeated 49-15 by leaders St Mary’s College in Dublin last time out. Clontarf have climbed up to second, following their maximum-point 29-24 home win over Terenure College.

Garryowen welcome Naas to Dooradoyle for their Division 1B encounter. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats. The Sky Blues have slipped to fifth following their 27-21 home defeat by Dublin University, where they claimed a losing bonus point. Naas are hovering above the drop zone following their 47-33 defeat by City of Armagh in a 12-try thriller at the Ulster venue. The County Kildare side claimed a losing bonus point, as they scored five tries.

Highfield travel to the Capital to take on third-placed Dublin University. Highfield have slipped to sixth following their 21-17 defeat by Old Wesley on Leeside, where they claimed a losing bonus point. The Dublin Students go into the tie on the back at a 27-21 bonus point victory over Garryowen in Limerick.

UCC, who have won their last two games, face a tricky task as they go head to head with City of Armagh at the Mardyke. The Leeside Students ran out 19-14 away winners over Blackrock College in Dublin last time out, which sees them climb up to ninth place. The Ulster side claimed all points on offer from their 47-33 home victory over Naas in a 12-try thriller.

In Division 2A, Shannon are in Dublin, as they take on Wanderers at Merrion Road. The Limerick side have climbed up to third as they put up 21 points without reply against Galway Corinthians at Thomond Park last time out. Wanderers have slipped to sixth following their 22-17 defeat by Old Crescent in Limerick, where they claimed a losing bonus point.

Old Crescent entertain Dungannon at Takumi Park. Old Crescent recorded their first win since early October, as they ran out 22-17 home winners over Wanderers. This followed a run of four successive defeats. Dungannon have climbed up to second following their 28-25 bonus point victory over Banbridge in County Down.

Cashel are hovering above the drop zone and they are away to Galway Corinthians. The Tipperary side claimed a losing bonus point from their 25-19 home defeat by Greystones. Galway Corinthians have slipped to fourth place following their 21-0 defeat by Shannon at Thomond Park.

UL Bohemian, who are second in Division 2B, travel to Belfast, to take on Malone, who are third. UL Bohemian fell to their second successive defeat, losing 24-13 away against Sligo. The Belfast side were defeated 27-22 at home by Buccaneers, but claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

New Division 2C leaders Clonmel welcome Bruff to South Tipperary. Clonmel claimed all points on offer last time out as they defeated Midleton 29-21in East Cork. Bruff have climbed up to fifth place, following their narrow 30-25 home win over Belfast Harlequins.

Thomond, who now occupy second place, entertain Midleton at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Thomond fell to their second successive defeat, losing 40-28 to Monkstown in Dublin. The Limerick side returned with a bons point, as they scored four tries. Midleton have slipped to sixth, following their 29-21 home defeat by Clonmel.

Dolphin travel to the Capital to take on Monkstown at Park Avenue. Dolphin have climbed up to seventh place following their 48-38 bonus point victory over Ballyclare at the County Antrim venue. The Dublin side, who have climbed up to fourth, also claimed all points on offer from their last game, which they won 40-28 against Thomond.

In the Women’s All-Ireland League, unbeaten leaders and defending champions UL Bohemian host bottom side Tullow at 4GUL. UL Bohemian have maximum points from their games to date. They ran out 43-10 away winners over Wicklow last time out. The County Carlow side, who are propping up the table on two points, were defeated 31-10 at home by Ballincollig.

Sixth-placed Ennis welcome Railway Union, who are fifth, to the Banner County. The Clare side were defeated 44-8 by Blackrock College in Dublin last time out. Railway Union put up 105 points without reply agaisnt Cooke in Belfast.

Ballincollig go head to head with Wicklow at Tanner Park. Ballincollig have climbed up to seventh place following their maximum-point 31-10 away win over Tullow. Wicklow have slipped to eighth following their 43-10 home defeat by UL Bohemian.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

There are two games in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League and one Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup down for decision. There are also quarter final ties in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield and Martin O’Sullivan Cup.

In Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, Sunday’s Well and Skibbereen go head to head at Virgin Media Park on Friday evening. Sunday’s Well go into the tie on the back of successive defeats by St Mary’s and Richmond. Both games were played in Limerick and the Leesiders claimed a losing bonus point each time. Sunday’s Well presently share fifth place with St Mary’s. The West Cork side were held to a 33-33 draw by Kanturk at the Duhallow venue, where they claimed a bonus point, as they scored five tries.

On Sunday Richmond and St Mary’s lock horns in a Limerick City derby at Canal Bank. Richmond go into the tie on the back of an 11-5 home win over Sunday’s Well. St Mary’s returned from their 35-31 defeat by Old Christians at Rathcooney with two bonus points, as they scored five tries.

Bandon and Kanturk go head to head in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup at Old Chapel.

In the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield, holders Charleville continue their defence of the trophy, as they travel to South Cork to take on Kinsale. The winners will have a home semi-final against Abbeyfeale or Castleisland, who lock horns in West Limerick.

Crosshaven entertain Carrick-on-Suir at Myrtleville Cross. The winners will be rewarded with a home semi-final meeting with Youghal or Ballincollig, who meet in East Cork.#
On Thursday evening, Waterford City lock horns with Dungarvan at Kilbarry in the opening quarter final of the Martin O’Sullivan. The winners will be at home to Killarney or Scariff, who meet in the Kingdom on Sunday.
Bantry Bay entertain Tralee and the winners will be away to Killorglin or Corca Dhuibhne, who meet in Mid Kerry on a date to be confirmed. This game also doubles up as a Munster Junior League Division 3 tie. In the Junior League, Bantry Bay were defeated 34-11 by Killarney in the Kingdom. Tralee are in second place following their 24-12 home win over Scariff.
The Munster Women’s League continues with games in Divisions 1 and 2.
Unbeaten Division 1 leaders Shannon welcome fourth-placed Bruff to Coonagh. Shannon defeated Dolphin 45-17 in a ten-try thriller at Virgin Media Park, where Shannon scored seven tries. Bruff were defeated 15-5 by Clonakilty in their last game at the West Cork venue in early November.
Bottom side Dolphin host Clonakilty at Virgin Media Park. Dolphin go into the tie on the back of a 24-12 defeat by Tralee in the Kingdom. Clonakilty, who are second, recorded a 27-22 home win over Tralee in their last game.
In Division 2, second-placed Mallow host Ballincollig, who are third at the North Cork venue. Mallow recorded a comprehensive 56-5 maximum-point away win over Midleton last time out. Ballincollig go into the tie on the back of a 61-24 home defeat by UL Bohemian, in a game which produced 13 tries. Ballincollig got four tries, to claim a bonus point.