Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

The Men’s All-Ireland League resumes this weekend after a two-week break with a full list of games across all five divisions and the Women’s All-Ireland League also continues.

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

Cork Constitution, who have climbed up to fourth, travel to the Capital to take on Old Belvedere at Ollie Campbell Park. The Leesiders claimed all points on offer from their last game, where they defeated UCD 27-6 at Temple Hill. Old Belvedere are five points clear of the relegation places in eighth place, following their 27-19 away defeat to Terenure College in a Dublin derby. The Lilywhites ran out 21-15 home winners when they met Old Belvedere at Temple Hill in early December, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Dublin side.

Young Munster remain in sixth place and they welcome Terenure College to Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick side claimed maximum points last time out as they defeated Nenagh Ormond 43-31 in a ten-try thriller at the North Tipperary venue. Terenure College have climbed up to third following their bonus point 27-19 home win over Dublin neighbours Old Belvedere. Young Munster claimed all points on offer from December’s corresponding fixture, where they defeated Terenure College 29-19 at Lakelands Park.

Nenagh Ormond remain rooted to the foot of the table and they face a tough assignment as they travel to Dublin to take on new leaders Clontarf at Castle Avenue. The North Tipperary side claimed their only point to date as they scored four tries in their 43-31 home defeat to Young Munster. Clontarf claimed pole position following their narrow 24-20 bonus point victory over Ballynahinch in County Down. Clontarf claimed maximum points when these sides met in North Tipperary, as they defeated Nenagh Ormond 28-12.

Highfield, who have climbed up to fourth in Division 1B, welcome third -placed Dublin University to Woodleigh Park. Highfield go into the tie on the back of a narrow 15-10 victory over Garryowen in Limerick. The Dublin Students remain in third place as they claimed maximum points from their 48-26 home win over Queen’s University, which produced 11 tries. Highfield recorded a bonus point 26-19 victory when these sides met in the Capital, resulting in a losing bonus point for Dublin University.

UCC, who have climbed up to sixth, are away to City of Armagh, with seven points separating these sides. The Leeside Students claimed all points on offer last time out as they defeated Naas 41-28 in a ten-try thriller at the Mardyke. City of Armagh have slipped to fifth following their 29-14 defeat by Instonians in Belfast. This result leaves City of Armagh one point adrift of the top four. The Ulster side recorded a maximum-point 34-24 victory when they met UCC on Leeside.

Garryowen travel to County Kildare to take on Naas, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Garryowen were narrowly defeated 15-10 at home by Highfield, but they claimed a losing bonus point. This result saw the Sky Blues slip to seventh place. Naas have slipped to eighth and are two points clear of the relegation places. They were defeated 41-28 by UCC on Leeside, but returned with a bonus point, as they scored four tries. The County Kildare side won December’s corresponding fixture 24-19 in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for Garryowen.

In Division 2A, third-placed Shannon entertain fourth-placed Wanderers at Thomond Park. Shannon ran out 21-10 away winners over Old Crescent in a Limerick derby, while Wanderers recorded a narrow 25-24 home win over Cashel. The Dublin side won December’s corresponding fixture 25-22 at Merrion Road, resulting in a losing bonus point for Shannon.

Cashel, who have slipped to eighth, welcome sixth-placed Galway Corinthians to the Premier County. The Tipperary side are one point above the relegation places, following their narrow 25-24 defeat by Wanderers in Dublin. Cashel returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Galway Corinthians lost their last game 18-9 at home to MU Barnhall. Galway Corinthians ran out 10-9 winners when they met Cashel in Galway, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Tipperary side.

Old Crescent travel to County Tyrone to take on Dungannon, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Old Crescent have slipped into the relegation places following their 21-10 home defeat by Shannon in a Limerick derby. Dungannon remain second, following their 15-7 defeat by Ballymena in County Antrim. Dungannon defeated Old Crescent 20-18 when these sides met in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for Old Crescent.

UL Bohemian, who have slipped to third, entertain fifth-placed Malone, who are three points adrift of the promotion places, in Division 2B . UL Bohemian ran out 21-10 winners over Enniscorthy at the County Wexford venue last time out. Malone were defeated 37-20 at home by Rainey. Malone claimed maximum points when they defeated UL Bohemian 30-29 in Belfast. The Limerick side claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Division 2C leaders Thomond travel to East Cork to take on Midleton, who are second from bottom at Towns Park. Thomond go into the tie on the back of a narrow 22-20 home win over Bruff. Midleton are five points adrift of safety and they go into the tie on the back of a run of five successive defeats. The East Cork side lost their last game 33-5 to Monkstown in Dublin. Thomond won the corresponding fixture 31-17 in Limerick, where they claimed all points on offer on the first weekend of the New Year.

Second-placed Clonmel travel to County Limerick to take on fifth-placed Bruff, who are 11 points behind the top four. Clonmel go into the tie on the back of a narrow 24-20 home win over Bective Rangers. Bruff were narrowly defeated 22-20 by Thomond at Liam Fitzgerald Park in their last game, where they claimed a losing bonus point. Clonmel won December’s corresponding fixture 22-20 at the South Tipperary venue, resulting in a losing bonus point for Bruff.

Dolphin, who have slipped to sixth place, face a tricky task as they entertain third-placed Monkstown at Virgin Media Park. Dolphin lost their last game 24-15 agaisnt Malahide in North Couty Dublin. Monkstown ran out 33-5 bonus point home winners over Midleton last time out. Monkstown claimed all points on offer from December’s corresponding fixture in Dublin, where they defeated Dolphin 29-13.

UL Bohemian, who are unbeaten leaders in the Women’s All-Ireland League, are at home to Wicklow. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 58-17 bonus point away win over Tullow. Wicklow, who have climbed up to fifth, recorded a narrow maximum-point 22-21 home victory over Ballincollig. UL Bohemian ran out 43-10 winners when they met Wicklow in the Garden County, to claim all points on offer.

Seventh-placed Ennis will have their work cut out, as they welcome second-placed Blackrock College to the Banner County. The Clare side were defeated 50-0 by Railway Union in Dublin last time out, while Blackrock College recorded a maximum-point 28-7 home win over Galwegians. Blackrock College ran out 44-8 bonus point winners when they met Ennis in Dublin.

Ballincollig, who are eighth, welcome bottom side Tullow to Tanner Park. Ballincollig returned from the Garden County with a losing bonus point from their narrow 22-21 defeat by Wicklow. Tullow are still without a win but have two bonus points to their credit. They go into the tie on the back of a 58-17 home defeat by UL Bohemian. Ballincollig ran out 31-10 bonus point winners in November’s corresponding fixture in County Carlow.

JUNIOR PREVIEW

There is a full program of games across all three divisions of the Men’s Munster Junior League and there are also two games in Division 2 of the Women’s Munster League.

On Saturday evening, Sunday’s Well, who are three points behind leaders Kilfeacle in second place, entertain Mallow, who share third place with Clonakilty, at Virgin Media Park. Sunday’s Well claimed all points on offer last time out as they came from behind to defeat Kanturk 27-24 at the Duhallow venue. Mallow go into the tie on the back of a 21-14 home win over St Mary’s.

Skibbereen welcome Thurles to the Carbery Showgrounds. Both sides are second from bottom on 14 points apiece. Skibbereen were defeated 31-26 by Newcastle West in County Limerick last time out, but they returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Thurles go into the tie on the back of a heavy 48-7 defeat by Bandon.

On Sunday, unbeaten leaders Kilfeacle, welcome Clonakilty, who share third place with Mallow, to West Tipperary. This game also doubles up as a Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup tie. Kilfeacle ran out 5-0 home winners over Newcastle West in their last game. Clonakilty fell to a 19-7 home defeat to near neighbours Bandon.

Kanturk, who share fourth place with Newcastle West and Richmond, travel to Rathcooney to take on Old Christians, who are four points above the drop zone. Kanturk had to settle for a losing bonus point in their last game, which they lost 27-24 at home to Sunday’s Well. Old Christians returned from their 23-18 defeat by Richmond in Limerick with a losing bonus point.

Newcastle West travel to MultiFlow Park to take on St Mary’s. The West Limerick side claimed maximum points from their 31-26 home win over Skibbereen, which produced nine tries. St Mary’s were defeated 21-14 by Mallow in North Cork, where they returned with a losing bonus point.

Muskerry, who are propping up the table, entertain Richmond. The Sky Blues go into the tie on the back of a heavy 59-15 defeat by Clanwilliam in Tipperary Town. Richmond defeated Old Christians 23-18 in Limerick.

Bandon welcome Clanwilliam to Old Chapel. Bandon recorded a 19-7 away victory over near neighbours Clonakilty. Clanwilliam, whose battle agaisnt the drop received a massive boost, as they ran out 59-15 winners over Muskerry in Tipperary Town, to record a bonus point victory.

Unbeaten leaders in Division 2 Crosshaven welcome St Senan’s to South Cork. The Seasiders will be looking to take another step closer to promotion following their 22-17 away win over Charleville. St Senan’s go into the tie on the back of a 46-37 home win over Youghal, in a game which produced ten tries.

Second-placed Kinsale host Waterpark, who are third, with seven points separating these sides. Kinsale claimed all points on offer from their comprehensive 75-10 victory over Abbeyfeale in West Limerick. The Suirsiders recorded a narrow 24-22 home win over Ballincollig.

Youghal lock horns with Cobh Pirates in an East Cork derby. Youghal returned with a bonus point from their 46-37 defeat by St Senan’s in the Banner County, as they scored six tries in a ten-try thriller. The Pirates played out a 19-19 draw at the Paddocks with Ennis.

Eighth-placed Ballincollig go head to head with Fermoy, who are ninth at Tanner Park. Ballincollig returned from their narrow 24-22 defeat by Waterpark on Suirside with a losing bonus point. Fermoy are now ten points clear of the relegation places, following their maximum-point 31-14 home win over Fethard.

Carrick-on-Suir entertain bottom side Abbeyfeale at Tybroughney. Carrick-on-Suir returned from the Kingdom with maximum points last time out, as they ran out 40-15 winners over Castleisland. Abbeyfeale are propping up the table on a single losing b onus point. They were defeated 75-10 at home by Kinsale.

Ennis, who share sixth place with Carrick-on-Suir, entertain Castleisland. The Clare side were held to a 19-19 draw by Cobh Pirates in East Cork. Castleisland, who are four points clear of the relegation places, were defeated 40-15 at home by Carrick-on-Suir.

Fethard welcome Charleville to South Tipperary. Fethard are second from bottom and they were defeated 31-14 by Fermoy at the North Cork venue. Charleville, who are presently in mid-table, claimed a losing bonus point from their 22-17 home defeat by Crosshaven.

In Division 3, unbeaten leaders Killarney will be looking to take another step closer to promotion as thy entertain Kingdom neighbours Corca Dhuibhne in East Kerry. Killarney put up 31 points without reply against Douglas at Casltetreasure, to claim maximum points. The West Kerry Gaeltacht side were defeated 61-14 by Killorglin in Mid Kerry.

Killorglin, who are joint third with Scariff, travel to Suirside, to take on Waterford City at Kilbarry. Killorglin recorded a comprehensive maximum-point 61-14 victory over Kingdom neighbours Corca Dhuibhne at the Mid Kerry venue last time out. Waterford City were defeated 38-5 by Scariff in East Clare.

Scariff host Dungarvan at the East Clare venue. Scariff claimed all points on offer from their last game, which they won 38-5 against Waterford City. Dungarvan narrowly defeated Tralee 25-21, to record their second win of the campaign.

Galbally-Mitchelstown go head to head with Douglas in County Limerick. Galbally-Mitchelstown go into the tie on the back of a 15-8 away win over Bantry Bay. Douglas were defeated 31-0 at home by Killarney.

In Division 2 of the Women’s Munster League, fifth-placed Roaring Water Bay welcome UL Bohemian, who are third, to Skibbereen. The West Cork side were defeated 41-5 by Mallow in their last game in Bantry. UL Bohemian claimed all points on offer from their last game, which they won 61-24 agaisnt Ballincollig at Tanner Park in November.

Fourth-placed Ballincollig entertain bottom side Midleton at Tanner Park. Ballincollig were defeated 53-0 by Thurles in their last game at the Tipperary venue. Midleton are still seeking their first points and they were defeated 31-5 at the East Cork venue by Roaring Water Bay. Ballincollig recorded a 48-14 maximum-point win when they met Midleton at Towns Park in November.