Weekend Preview

The Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues resume this weekend with a full program of games. This week’s games are the reverse of the last series of games that were played before the Festive Season.

Proceedings get underway on Friday evening as Old Crescent lock horns with Shannon in a Limerick City derby at Takumi Park in Division 2A of the Men’s All Ireland League. Shannon, who are third, claimed all points on offer as they ran out 27-12 winners when these sides met at Thomond Park. Old Crescent are seventh, ahead of Ballymena on scoring differences.

On Saturday in Division 1A, Cork Constitution, who are fifth, welcome second from bottom UCD to Temple Hill. The Lilywhites recorded a 36-19 maximum-point victory when these sides met in Dublin. Cork Constitution are level on 27 points with Terenure College, but behind them on scoring differences. The Dublin Students are five points adrift of safety.

Nenagh Ormond, who are still propping up the table on zero points, go head to head with Young Munster at the North Tipperary venue. Young Munster have climbed up to sixth, as they recorded a comprehensive 57-10 bonus point victory when these sides met in Limerick.

Highfield, who have slipped to fifth in Division 1B, travel to Limerick to take on sixth-placed Garryowen at Dooradoyle. Highfield, who are three points adrift of the top four, recorded a maximum-point 33-19 victory when they met the Sky Blues on Leeside.

UCC are one point clear of the relegation places in eighth place and they welcome Naas, who are seventh, to the Mardyke. The Leeside Students claimed all points on offer when these sides met in County Kildare. Naas also claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Cashel travel to the Capital, to take on Wanderers in Division 2A at Merrion Road. Cashel have slipped to ninth place, one point behind Ballymena. The Dublin side are in fourth place and they recorded a bonus point 36-19 victory when they met Cashel in the Premier County. Cashel claimed a losing bonus point.

In Division 2B, UL Bohemian, who have climbed up to second place, travel to County Wexford to take on Enniscorthy, who are second from bottom. UL Bohemian claimed all points on offer as they ran out 31-17 winners when these sides met in Limerick.

Thomond, who have reclaimed pole position in Division 2C, welcome Bruff, who are sixth, to Liam Fitzgerald Park. Thomond recoded a narrow 20-17 victory when these sides met at Kilballyowen Park, resulting in a losing bonus point for Bruff. Thomond also claimed maximum points last time out, as they ran out 31-17 home winners over Midleton in their rearranged fixture.

Clonmel, who have slipped to second place, host Bective Rangers at the South Tipperary venue. Bective Rangers recorded a narrow 34-33 maximum-point win over Clonmel, when these sides met in Dublin. The South Tipperary side returned with two bonus points, as they scored five tries.

Fifth-placed Dolphin travel to North County Dublin, to take on Malahide, who are propping up the table. Dolphin recorded a narrow 25-22 bonus point win when they met Malahide at Virgin Media Park. Malahide returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Midleton, who are ninth, travel to the Capital to take on Monkstown. The East Cork side are one point adrift of safety and they go into the tie on the back of four successive defeats. Monkstown recorded a narrow 19-15 victory when these sides met at Towns Park, resulting in a losing bonus point for Midleton. Midleton were also defeated 31-17 by Thomond last time out in their rearranged fixture in Limerick.

In the Women’s All-Ireland League, leaders and defending champions UL Bohemian entertain Ballincollig, who are eighth at 4GUL. UL Bohemian have maximum points from their games to date and they ran out comprehensive 68-22 winners when these sides met at Tanner Park.

Ennis travel to the Capital to take on Old Belvedere at Ollie Campbell Park. These sides played out a 24-24 draw in the Banner County last time out. They also finished with three points each, as both sides scored four tries.

There is one game in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, as unbeaten leaders Kilfeacle host 2022 champions Newcastle West. Kilfeacle go into the tie on the back of a 24-13 bonus point away win over Mallow. Newcastle West, who share eighth place with Old Christians, defeated Bandon 36-28 in a nine-try thriller at the West Limerick venue.

The game of the day in Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League is the meeting of second-placed Clonakilty and unbeaten leaders Shannon at the Vale. Shannon go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 40-7 home win over Bruff, where they claimed all points on offer. The West Cork side also claimed maximum points, as they defeated Dolphin 37-22 in a game which produced nine tries at Virgin Media Park.

Tralee, who are third, welcome bottom side Bruff to the Kingdom. Tralee were defeated 27-22 by Clonakilty at the West Cork venue in their last game. The Kerry side finished with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Bruff go into the tie on the back of a heavy 40-7 defeat by Shannon.

UL Bohemian and Mallow lock horns in a top of the table clash in Division 2 at Annacotty. Mallow, who lead the table, put up 31 points without reply against Ballincollig at the North Cork venue. The Limerick side defeated Ballincollig 61-24 in early November, in a game which produced 13 tries at Tanner Park.

Ballincollig entertain Thurles at Tanner Park. Both sides are tied on 11 points in third place, but the Mid Cork side have a better try-scoring difference. Ballincollig were defeated 31-0 by Mallow at the North Cork venue in early December. The Tipperary side were narrowly defeated 21-17 away by Mallow in early November, but they claimed a losing bonus point.

Midleton and Roaring Water Bay go in search of their first points when they meet at the East Cork venue. Midleton were defeated 56-5 at home by Mallow in their last game in late November. The West Cork side were defeated 50-8 by Ballincollig at the Carbery Showgrounds in early November.