Weekend Preview

SENIOR PREVIEW

The Men’s All-Ireland League continues this weekend with a full list of games across all five divisions.

In Division 1A, Cork Constitution entertain Young Munster at Temple Hill. The Lilywhites remain in fourth place, despite their 18-12 defeat by Old Belvedere in Dublin, which saw them claim a losing bonus point. Young Munster are level on points with Cork Constitution, but ahead on scoring differences. The Limerick side have climbed up to third following their bonus point 37-20 home win over Terenure College. Cork Constitution recorded a narrow 29-26 victory when they met Young Munster in Limerick to claim all points on offer. Young Munster claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Bottom side Nenagh Ormond, who are still without a win, will have their work cut out, as they go head to head with second-placed St Mary’s College at the North Tipperary venue. St Mary’s College were held to a 16-16 draw by Ballynahinch in Dublin last time out. Nenagh Ormond go into the tie on the back of a 35-24 away defeat by Clontarf. St Mary’s College ran out 47-15 winners over Nenagh Ormond in November’s corresponding fixture in the Capital.

The three Munster sides in Division 1B are in action against Dublin opposition.

Highfield travel to the Capital to take on leaders Old Wesley at Energia Park. Highfield have slipped to fifth behind City of Armagh on scoring differences, despite their narrow 21-17 home win over Dublin University. Old Welsey, who are in pole position, returned with maximum points from their 36-7 victory over Queen’s University in Belfast. Old Wesley ran out 21-17 winners when these sides met at Woodleigh Park, resulting in a losing bonus point for Highfield.

Garryowen, who have climbed up to sixth, are away to Dublin University. The Sky Blues finished with maximum points as they ran out 28-14 away winners over Naas. This game was moved to Tullow RFC in County Carlow. The Dublin Students, who remain in third, returned with a losing bonus point from their 21-17 defeat by Highfield on Leeside. Dublin University claimed all points on offer from November’s corresponding fixture in Limerick, where they ran out 27-21 winners. Garryowen claimed a losing bonus point.

UCC welcome Blackrock College to the Mardyke, with both sides hovering above the drop zone. The Leeside Students have slipped to seventh place following their 26-5 defeat by City of Armagh at the Ulster venue. Blackrock College, who have climbed out of the relegation places, ran out 20-7 home winners over Instonians. UCC defeated Blackrock College 19-14, when these sides met at Stradbrook, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Dublin side.

Shannon, who are third in Division 2A, are away to Galway Corinthians. Shannon go into the tie on the back of a maximum-point 34-17 victory over Wanderers at Thomond Park. Galway Corinthians were narrowly defeated 12-5 by Cashel in the Premier County, but they returned with a losing bonus point, to remain in sixth place. Shannon put up 21 points without reply when these sides met at Thomond Park.

Cashel travel to County Wicklow to take on Greystones. Cashel are four points clear of the relegation places, following their 12-5 home win over Galway Corinthians, to remain in eighth place. Greystones are one point adrift of the promotion places in fifth, following their 11-3 defeat by MU Barnhall in County Kildare. Greystones ran out 25-19 winners when they met Cashel in the Premier County. Cashel claimed a losing bonus point.

Old Crescent, who have lost their last four games, travel to the Capital to take on Wanderers at Merrion Road. The Limerick side, who are second from bottom were defeated 17-13 by Dungannon in County Tyrone, but returned with a losing bonus point. The Dublin side were defeated 34-17 by Shannon at Thomond Park. Old Crescent won the corresponding fixture 22-17 at Takumi Park, which was also their last win. Wanderers claimed a losing bonus point.

Third-placed UL Bohemian host fourth-placed Sligo in Division 2B. UL Bohemian ran out 40-17 bonus point home winners over Malone, while Sligo also claimed maximum points from their 39-15 home win over Enniscorthy. Sligo ran out 24-13 winners when they met UL Bohemian in the Yeats County in November.

Division 2C leaders Thomond welcome Monkstown, who have slipped to fourth, to Liam Fitzgerald Park. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a narrow 13-11 away win over Midleton. Monkstown were defeated 36-14 by Dolphin on Leeside last time out. Monkstown ran out 40-28 winners when these sides played out a ten-try thriller in Dublin. Thomond claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Second-placed Clonmel entertain Midleton, who are second from bottom in South Tipperary, with both sides going in to the tie on the back of narrow defeats. Clonmel were defeated 19-18 away by Bruff, where they claimed a losing bonus point. Midleton also lost their last game 13-11 at home to Thomond and claimed a losing bonus point. This was the East Cork side’s sixth successive defeat and they are two points adrift of safety. Clonmel claimed all points on offer when these sides met in East Cork, as they ran out 29-21 winners.

Dolphin, who have climbed up to fifth, welcome sixth-placed Ballyclare to Virgin Media Park, with both sides having recorded maximum point victories in their last games. Dolphin ran out 36-14 winners over Monkstown. Ballyclare are one point behind Dolphin following their narrow 31-27 home win over Malahide. Dolphin ran out 48-38 winners when these sides met in a game which produced 12 tries in County Antrim. Ballyclare claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.

Bruff, who have slipped to seventh place, despite their narrow 19-18 home win over Clonmel, are away to Belfast Harlequins, who are hovering above the drop zone. The Belfast side go into the tie on the back of a 37-14 defeat by Bective Rangers in Dublin. The County Limerick side claimed maximum points from the corresponding fixture in November, where they ran out 30-25 home winners. Ballyclare returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

JUNIOR PREVIEW
There is a handful of games in Divisions 1 and 2 of the Men’s Munster League, together with a full series of games in the Women’s Munster League down for decision.

On Saturday, Cobh Pirates welcome Castleisland to the Paddocks for their Munster Junior League Division 2 encounter. The Pirates, who are tenth, ran out 24-17 away winners over Youghal in an East Cork derby. Castleisland are hovering above the relegation zone and are four points adrift of safety. They were defeated 21-13 by Ennis in the Banner County.

On Sunday in Division 1, bottom side Muskerry entertain Clonality, who are fourth. The Sky Blues go into the tie on the back of a narrow 19-18 home defeat by Richmond, while Clonakilty were defeated 19-7 at home by Bandon in a West Cork derby.

Clanwilliam welcome Richmond to Tipperary Town. Clanwilliam are in tenth place, five points adrift of safety. They were defeated 22-19 by Bandon in their last game in West Cork, but they returned with a losing bonus point. Richmond are two points adrift of the top four in sixth place. They go into the tie on the back of a narrow 19-18 away victory over Muskerry.

Ennis lock horns with St Senan’s in a Clare derby in Division 2, with nothing more than local pride at stake. Ennis go into the tie on the back of a 21-13 home win over Castleisland. St Senan’s claimed maximum points from their 46-37 home win over Youghal, which produced ten tries.

In Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League, second-placed Clonakilty, who are ten points behind leaders Shannon, are away to third-placed Bruff. The West Cork side were held to a 12-12 draw by Shannon last time out at The Vale. Bruff claimed all points on offer from their last game against Dolphin, which they won 44-21. Clonakilty won November’s corresponding fixture, 15-5 in West Cork.

Dolphin, who are propping up the table, welcome Tralee to Virgin Media Park. Dolphin go into the tie on the back of a 44-21 defeat by Bruff in County Limerick. Tralee also lost their last game, 20-12 to Shannon at Coonagh. Tralee recorded their only win to date when they defeated Dolphin 24-12 in the Kingdom, to claim maximum points.

Mallow, who are in pole position in Division 2, travel to the Premier County to take on second-placed Thurles. Both sides go into the tie on the back of comprehensive bonus point away wins. Mallow defeated Roaring Water Bay 41-5 in Bantry, while Thurles put up 53 points without reply against Ballincollig at Tanner Park. Mallow won November’s corresponding fixture in North Cork 21-17, resulting in a losing bonus point for Thurles.

Ballincollig entertain Roaring Water Bay at Tanner Park. Ballincollig lost their last game 53-0 at home to Thurles. Roaring Water Bay were defeated 41-5 by Mallow in Bantry. Ballincollig recorded their only win of the campaign to date, when they defeated Roaring Water Bay 50-5 in Skibbereen in November.