Weekend Preview

The final series of games in the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues are down for decision this weekend, before the Holiday break.

Shannon and Old Crescent get proceedings underway as they lock horns in a Limerick City derby at Thomond Park in Division 2A on Friday evening. Both sides go into the tie on the back of narrow defeats, where they claimed a losing bonus point each. Shannon have slipped to fourth following their 25-22 defeat by Wanderers in Dublin. Old Crescent lost 20-18 at home to Dungannon, to remain in seventh place.

On Saturday in Division 1A, Cork Constitution face a tricky task, as they travel to the Capital to take in UCD at Belfield. The Lilywhites have climbed up to fifth place following their narrow 21-19 home win over Old Belvedere. The Dublin Students go into the tie on the back of a 43-38 victory over Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium in an 11-try thriller, where UCD scored 6 tries. UCD are in ninth place, behind Old Belvedere on scoring differences.

Young Munster go head to head with Nenagh Ormond at Tom Clifford Park. Young Munster have climbed up to seventh place following their maximum-point 29-19 victory over Terenure College in Dublin. The North Tipperary side are still rooted to the foot of the table on zero points. Nenagh Ormond were defeated 28-12 at home by Clontarf in their last game.

Highfield and Garryowen, who presently occupy the mid-table places in Division 1B, meet at Woodleigh Park. Highfield have climbed up to fifth place , following their bonus point 26-19 away win over Dublin University. This result leaves Highfield in fifth place, three points adrift of the top four. The Sky Blues, who have slipped to sixth, were defeated 24-19 by Naas in Limerick, which saw them claim a losing bonus point.

UCC travel to County Kildare to take on Naas. The Leeside Students remain second from bottom, as they were defeated 34-24 at home by City of Armagh. Naas have climbed up to seventh place, following their 24-19 away win over Garryowen.

Cashel entertain Wanderers in Division 2A in the Premier County. Cashel go into the tie on the back of three successive defeats, where they claimed a losing bonus point each time. They were defeated 10-9 away by Galway Corinthians, which leaves them hovering above the relegation places. Wanderers have climbed up to fifth, following their narrow 25-22 home win over Shannon.

In Division 2B, UL Bohemian take on Enniscorthy at 4GUL. The Limerick side have slipped to third, following their narrow 30-29 defeat by Malone in Belfast. They returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. The County Wexford side, who are second from bottom, were defeated 42-12 by Sligo in the Yeats County.

Division 2C leaders Clonmel travel to the Capital to take on Bective Rangers, who have slipped to fourth place, at Energia Park. Clonmel go into the tie on the back of a narrow 22-20 home win over Bruff. Bective Rangers were defeated 24-13 away by Belfast Harlequins.
Second-placed Thomond, who have a game in hand, make the relatively short trip to Kilballyowen Park, to take on Bruff. Thomond were defeated 40-28 by Monkstown in Dublin in their last game. They also claimed a bonus points, as they scored four tries. Bruff were narrowly defeated 22-20 by Clonmel in South Tipperary.

Midleton, who are seventh, welcome Monkstown to East Cork. Midleton, who have a game in hand, lost their last game 29-21 at home to Clonmel. Monkstown have climbed up to third, as they claimed all points on offer from their 29-13 home win over Dolphin.

Dolphin go head to head with Malahide, who are propping up the table, at Virgin Media Park. Dolphin who are three points clear of the drop zone in eighth place, were defeated 29-13 by Monkstown in Dublin. Malahide were defeated 21-8 at home by Ballyclare in their basement clash.

In the Women’s All Ireland League, unbeaten leaders UL Bohemian travel to Tanner Park to take on Ballincollig. The Limerick side claimed all points on offer from their comprehensive 102-7 home win over Tullow. Ballincollig have slipped to fourth following their 41-21 home defeat by Wicklow, which was played at Virgin Media Park.

Ennis welcome Old Belvedere to the Banner County. Ennis have slipped to seventh, following her heavy 60-3 home defeat by Railway Union. The Dublin side have climbed up to third following their maximum-point 31-17 home win over Cooke.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

Locally, there are ties in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup and Shield down for decision, together with two South Munster Cup finals. There is also one Munster Women’s League match.

On Friday evening, Abbeyfeale lock horns with near neighbours Castleisland at the Kerry venue in their Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Shield quarter final. The winners will be away to Kinsale in the semi-finals.

Sunday’s Well entertain St Mary’s at Virgin Media Park in the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup on Sunday.

The O’Neill Cup and County Cup deciders on Sunday form part of a double header at Lansdowne.

Youghal and Crosshaven contest the O’Neill Cup decider. Crosshaven last won the trophy in 2023/24, while Youghal’s last triumph was in 2015/16.

Bandon take on Old Christinas in the County Cup decider. Bandon won the County Cup in 2018/19, while Old Christians won the trophy in 2010/11.

Roaring Water Bay will have their work cut out as they welcome second-placed UL Bohemian to Skibbereen for their Munster Women’s League Division 2 encounter. UL Bohemian, who are four points behind leaders Mallow, defeated Ballincollig 61-24 in a 13-try thriller. The West Cork side, who are second from bottom on zero points, were defeated 50-5 by Ballincollig at Skibbereen in early November.