Weekend Preview

This Easter Saturday sees the final series of group games across all five divisions of the Men’s All-Ireland League. The fixtures are the reverse of the opening day of the campaign.

The Frazer McMullen Cup semi-finals are also down for decision

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

Cork Constitution, whose aspirations of a top-four finish were dealt a setback last time out, will be looking to make the most of home advantage, as they welcome Lansdowne to Temple Hill. The Lilywhites remain four points adrift of the top four in fifth place following their 21-5 defeat to Terenure College in Dublin. Lansdowne, who are third, recorded a maximum-point 31-19 home win over leaders Clontarf in a Dublin derby. Lansdowne ran out 27-22 winners when these sides met in Dublin, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Leesiders.

There is nothing more than pride at stake at Tom Clifford Park, as Young Munster and Ballynahinch wrap up their AIL campaign for another season. The Limerick side remain sixth following their narrow 22-20 vicotry over St Mary’s College in Dublin. The Ulster side have climbed up to seventh following their bonus point 38-12 home win over Old Belvedere. Ballynahinch ran out 35-33 winners when they met Young Munster in a game that produced ten tries in County Down in September. Young Munster returned with two bonus points, as they scored five tries.

The curtain comes down on a disappointing season as the first side from the Premier County to have played in the top flight of the AIL as Nenagh Ormond travel to the Capital, to take on Old Belvedere. The North Tipperary side claimed their fourth four-try bonus point from their 57-49 home defeat by UCD, where they scored seven tries in a 16-try thriller. Old Belvedere have slipped to eighth following their 38-12 defeat by Ballynahinch in County Down, but are nine points clear of UCD. Old Belvedere ran out 23-13 winners when these sides met in North Tipperary.

In Division 1B, Garryowen, who are assured of a promotion play-off spot, travel to the Mardyke, to take on UCC, who are two points adrift of safety. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 63-21 home win over bottom side Queen’s University, where they claimed all points on offer. UCC were narrowly defeated 19-17 by Instonians in Belfast, where they returned with a losing bonus point. Garryowen recorded a 22-19 opening day victory when they met UCC in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Leeside Students.

Highfield finish their campaign away to Queens University, in a game that is a dead rubber. Highfield were defeated 53-24 by Blackrock College in a game which produced 12 tries at Woodleigh Park last week. Highfield claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries. This result has seen the Leesiders drop out of a play-off place. Queens University will be playing in Division 2A next season having been already relegated.

Shannon, who are second in Division 2A, make the relatively short trip to the Premier County, to take on sixth-placed Cashel. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 28-12 victory over MU Barnhall on the Back Pitch at Thomond Park, where they claimed maximum points. Cashel, who are wrapping up their campaign, returned from their 47-13 victory over Old Crescent in Limerick with all points on offer. Cashel won September’s opening fixture 26-19, with Shannon claiming a losing bonus point.

Old Crescent, who will be contesting the relegation play-off, travel to County Antrim, to take on Ballymena. Old Crescent were defeated 47-13 by Cashel in Limerick last time out. Ballymena have climbed up to seventh, following their narrow 24-22 victory over Greystones at the County Wicklow venue. Old Crescent defeated Ballymena 16-11 on the opening day of the campaign in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for the County Antrim side.

UL Bohemian, who are second in Division 2B, welcome Navan to Limerick. UL Bohemian claimed maximum points from their 31-20 victory over Skerries at the North County Dublin venue last time out. The County Meath side also claimed all points on offer from their narrow 32-29 home win over Enniscorthy. UL Bohemian ran out 33-21 bonus point winners when they met Navan in the Royal County in September’s opener.

Clonmel, who occupy pole position in Division 2C, travel to County Antrim to take on sixth-placed Ballyclare. Clonmel were defeated 33-21 by Dolphin in South Tipperary last time out. Ballyclare were defeated 17-10 by Thomond in Limerick, but claimed a losing bonus point. Clonmel ran out 33-27 home winners over Ballyclare in September’s opener, to claim all points on offer. Ballyclare returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries.

Third-placed Thomond travel to the Capital to take on Bective Rangers, who are second. These sides both won their respective provincial leagues last year. Thomond go into the tie on the back of a 17-10 home win over Ballyclare. The Dublin side were narrowly defeated 34-33 by Midleton at the East Cork venue. Bective Rangers returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries. Thomond ran out 29-22 bonus point winners when they met Bective Rangers in Limerick, resulting in a losing bonus point for the Dublin side.

Fourth-placed Dolphin entertain Belfast Harlequins, whose future in the AIL is in the balance. Dolphin recorded a bonus point 33-21 victory over Clonmel in South Tipperary last time out. The Belfast side also claimed all points on offer as they ran out 29-21 home winners over Monkstown. Belfast Harlequins claimed maximum points on the opening day of the campaign, as they defeated Dolphin 33-24 at Deramore Park.

Seventh-placed Bruff finish their campaign against eighth-placed Midleton at Kilballyowen Park. The East Cork side are also wrapping up their season, as they are now seven points clear of the drop zone. The County Limerick side were defeated 36-24 by Monkstown in Dublin last time out, but they returned with a bonus point, as they scored four tries. Midleton secured their AIL status as they recorded a narrow 34-33 home win over Bective Rangers, to claim all points on offer. Midleton recorded a bonus point 40-25 victory when they met Bruff in East Cork.

In the Frazer McMullen Cup semi-finals, UCC entertain MU Barnhall at the Mardyke on Easter Sunday. The winners will meet UCD or holders Clontarf in the decider.

Junior

It’s a quiet weekend on the local scene, with just a handful of games across an assortment of Junior competitions.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, last year’s beaten finalists Old Crescent and Shannon, who last won the trophy in 2015 go head to head at Takumi Park on Easter Sunday. The winners will be rewarded with home advantage against Sunday’s Well or Kilfeacle, whose only triumph was in 2002, in the quarter finals.

UCC, who last won the trophy in 2024 lock horns with near neighbours and 2019 winners Highfield at the Mardyke next Tuesday evening. The winners will be away to 1968 winners St Mary’s in the quarter finals.

The first semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate sees Clonmel going head to head with Youghal, whose only triumph was in 2002, at the South Tipperary venue next Tuesday evening. Ennis or Tralee await the winners in the decider.

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl Final goes ahead on Saturday in Bruff, when the home side take on Scariff in a game that has a 5pm kick off.

The second semi-final of the Martin O’Sullivan Cup between Killorglin and Tralee takes place in Castleisland on Good Friday evening. Kerry neighbours Killarney await the winners in the decider.

On Easter Sunday, Roaring Water Bay conclude their campaign in Division 2 of the Munster Women’s League against UL Bohemian in Bantry. UL Bohemian go into the tie on the back of a 48-10 maximum-point victory over Mallow in Limerick. The West Cork side lost their last game 48-0 to UL Bohemian at Annacotty.