Weekend Preview

SENIOR

Across a busy weekend, the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues resume after a two-week break.

In Division 1A of the Men’s All-Ireland League, Cork Constitution, who remain in fifth place, welcome already relegated Nenagh Ormond to Temple Hill. The Lilywhites were defeated 28-26 by Ballynahinch at the County Down venue, but returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. The North Tipperary side claimed their third four-try bonus point last time out from their 40-31 home defeat by Terenure College, which produced 11 tries. Cork Constitution recorded a 25-17 victory in October’s corresponding fixture.

Young Munster remain in sixth place on 40 points, and they entertain Clontarf at Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 31-13 defeat by Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. Clontarf, who are second, claimed all points on offer from their narrow 54-51 home win over Old Belvedere in a 13-try thriller. Clontarf recorded a maximum-point 28-26 victory when they met Young Munster in Dublin. Young Munster returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Highfield travel to the Palace Grounds to take on City of Armagh in their Division 1B encounter. The Leesiders remain in fourth place following their narrow 24-21 home defeat by Naas, from which they claimed a losing bonus point. The Ulster side, who are four points behind Highfield in sixth place, recorded a maximum-point 31-12 victory over Queen’s University in Belfast. City of Armagh recorded a bonus point 36-19 victory when they met Highfield on Leeside.

Fifth-placed Garryowen, who are three points adrift of the promotion play-off places, travel to Belfast to take on Instonians. Garryowen recorded a narrow 31-28 bonus point home win over Blackrock College last time out. The Belfast side, who are third, also claimed maximum points from their narrow 35-32 away win over Old Wesley. Garryowen recorded a bonus point 37-14 home win when they met Instonians in Limerick.

UCC, who have slipped into the relegation places, will have their work cut out, as they go head to head with leaders Old Wesley at the Mardyke. The Leeside Students are two points adrift of safety as they returned from the Capital with a losing bonus point from their narrow 13-12 defeat by Dublin University. Old Wesley go into the tie on the back of a 35-32 home defeat by Instonians, where they claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Old Wesley ran out 31-29 winners when they met UCC in Dublin. UCC returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Shannon, who remain third in Division 2A, travel to County Down to take on bottom side Banbridge. Shannon ran out 23-19 winners over Dungannon at Thomond Park last time out. The Ulster side go into the tie on the back of a heavy 73-14 away defeat by Cashel. Shannon recorded a maximum-point 37-31 victory over Banbridge in October’s corresponding fixture. The County Down side returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Cashel, who have climbed up to seventh place, face a tricky task, as they travel to County Kildare to take on leaders MU Barnhall. The Tipperary side are nine points clear of the relegation places on 34 points. They are level with Greystones, but ahead on scoring differences.

Cashel recorded a comprehensive 73-14 win over Banbridge in the Premier County, which saw them claim all points on offer. MU Barnhall recorded a narrow 24-21 victory over Old Crescent in Limerick. The County Kildare side ran out 41-15 winners when they met Cashel at the Tipperary venue.

Old Cresset remain in ninth place and they travel to County Wicklow to take on fellow strugglers Greystones. The Limerick side claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 24-21 home defeat by leaders MU Barnhall. Greystones also claimed a losing bonus point from their narrow 15-14 away defat by Galway Corinthians. Greystones ran out 37-32 winners when these sides met in Limerick in October. Old Crescent claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

UL Bohemian, who are third in Division 2B, host Buccaneers, who are seventh, with both sides going in to the tie on the back of narrow defeats. UL Bohemian returned with a losing bonus point from their narrow 26-24 defeat by Rainey. The Athlone side were defeated 33-26 at home by Enniscorthy, but finished with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. UL Bohemian ran out 14-10 winners when they met Buccaneers in Athlone.

Division 2C leaders Clonmel travel to North County Dublin, to take on Malahide, who are propping up the table. Clonmel claimed maximum points from their 66-14 home win over Belfast Harlequins. Malahide go into the tie on the back of a 34-24 defeat by Thomond in Limerick. Clonmel ran out 39-14 bonus point winners when they met Malahide in South Tipperary.

Thomond, who are third, travel to Leeside to take on Dolphin, who are fifth, at Virgin Media Park. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 34-24 maximum-point home win over Malahide. Dolphin, who are three points adrift of the top four, recorded a narrow 20-17 victory over Midleton at the East Cork venue. Thomond claimed all points on offer from October’s corresponding fixture, where they ran out 54-32 winners in a 13-try thriller. Dolphin finished with a bonus point, as they scored five tries.

Bruff, who have slipped to seventh, travel to the Capital, to take on Bective Rangers at Energia Park. Bruff go into the tie on the back of a 34-19 home defeat by Ballyclare. Bective Rangers recorded a 28-21 away win over Monkstown in a Dublin derby, from which they claimed maximum points. Bruff ran out 25-15 winners when they met Bective Rangers at the County Limerick venue.

Midleton remain above the relegating places in eighth place. They travel to County Antrim, to take on Ballyclare, who have climbed up to sixth. The East Cork side claimed a losing bonus point last time out, from their narrow 20-17 home defeat by Dolphin. This leaves them six points clear of the drop zone. Ballyclare are seven points adrift of the top four. They recorded a bonus point 34-19 victory over Bruff at the County Limerick venue. Midleton claimed all points on offer when theses sides met in East Cork, as they ran out 25-13 winners.

The second last round of games in the group phase of the Women’s All-Ireland League are also down for decision.

Unbeaten leaders and defending champions UL Bohemian travel to the Capital to take on Railway Union, who are third. Both sides claimed maximum points from their last games. UL Bohemian defeated Old Belvedere 41-22 in an 11-try thriller in Dublin. Railway Union ran out 39-5 away winners over Blackrock College in a Dublin derby. UL Bohemian claimed all points on offer as they recorded a 44-17 victory when they met Railway Union in Limerick.

Ballincollig, who are eighth, welcome seventh-placed Ennis to Tanner Park. Ballincollig recorded their third maximum-point win of the campaign last tie mut as they defeated Cooke 24-19 in Belfast. Ennis go into the tie on the back of a narrow 38-36 home win over Wicklow, which produced 12 tries. Ennis recoded a narrow 17-12 home win when they met Ballincollig in the Banner County.

JUNIOR

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup continues with all the top sides entering in the third round. There is also one game in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate, together with the semi-finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl.

There are also two games down for decision in the Women’s Munster League.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, holders Cork Constitution begin their defence of the trophy, as they entertain Garryowen, whose last triumph was in 2023 at Temple Hill. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against Douglas or Muskerry, who meet at Castletreasure.

Last year’s beaten finalists Old Crescent travel to Suirside to take on Waterpark, who last won the trophy in 1974. The winners will have a home tie in the next round against Clanwilliam or Shannon, who meet in Tipperary Town.

Clonakilty, who won the trophy for the only time to date in 2001, go head to head with UCC at the Vale. The winners will be at home to 2019 winners Highfield or Bandon, whose only triumph was in 2017.

St Mary’s who won the trophy in 1968, welcome Dolphin to MultiFlow Park. The winners will be rewarded with a home tie against 2011 winners Cashel or Mallow, who meet in the Premier County.

Kanturk lock horns with Sunday’s Well at the Duhallow venue. The winners will meet UL Bohemian, who were the last side to retain the trophy in 2009 and 2010 or Kilfeacle, whose only triumph was in 2002.

Old Christians, whose only triumph was in 1965, entertain Richmond, who last won the trophy in 1952 at Rathcooney. The winners will meet Young Munster, who last won the trophy in 2022 or Thurles.

There is a Tipperary derby at Tybroughney, as Carrick-on-Suir host Nenagh Ormond, whose last triumph was in 2004. The winners will be away to Killarney or Ballincollig who meet in the Kingdom, in a game that is transferred to Tralee.

Skibbereen welcome Newcastle West to the Carbery Showgrounds. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against Kinsale or Charleville, who meet in South Cork.

Proceedings get underway in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate as St Senan’s, who won the trophy in 2008, welcome Midleton to Jimmy Slattery Park. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against Clonmel in the quarter finals.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl, Dungarvan, who won trophy in 2017, welcome Scariff to West Waterford. The winners will meet Thomond or 2018 winners Bruff in the decider.

Tralee and second-placed Clonakilty, who are 12 points behind leaders Shannon in second place, conclude their Munster Women’ League programme as they meet in Division 1 in the Kingdom. Tralee were defeated 20-12 by Shannon at Coonagh in their last game in January.

Clonakilty ran out 31-12 maximum-point winners over Dolphin at the West Cork venue. Clonakilty recorded a narrow 27-22 victory when they met Tralee at the Vale in November. Tralee returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Division 2 leaders Mallow complete their group programme as they travel to Annacotty to take on third-placed UL Bohemian, who have two games in hand. Mallow recoded a 17-7 victory when these sides met in North Cork.