SENIOR
It is a busy weekend with action across all Divisions of the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues.
In Division 1A of the Men’s AIL, both Munster sides host Dublin opposition.
Cork Constitution, who have slipped into the relegation places, will have their work cut out, as they entertain leaders Old Belvedere at Temple Hill. The Lilywhites were defeated 18-13 by UCD in Dublin in their last game, but returned with a losing bonus point. Old Belvedere are ahead of Terenure College in pole position on scoring differences. They narrowly defeated Clontarf 11-7 at Ollie Campbell Park in a Dublin derby last time out.
Young Munster welcome Lansdowne to Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick side are two points clear of the drop zone in seventh place, following their 26-7 defeat by Old Welsey in Dublin. Lansdowne are one point above the relegation places, following their 21-17 defeat by bottom side Ballynahinch in County Down, from which they returned with a losing bonus point.
It is derby day on Leeside as new leaders Highfield lock horns with bottom side UCC at Woodleigh Park in Division 1B. Highfield have claimed pole position, following their narrow 17-15 victory over MU Barnhall at the County Kildare venue. The Students are still without a win, but have three bonus points to their credit. UCC claimed a bonus losing point from their 25-23 home defeat by Garryowen.
Garryowen, who are second from bottom behind MU Barnhall on scoring differences, welcome Blackrock College to Dooradoyle. Garryowen go into the tie on the back of a narrow 25-23 away win over UCC. Blackrock College are in third place, behind Dublin University on scoring differences. They recorded a narrow 19-17 home win over City of Armagh in their last game.
Nenagh Ormond, who made a promising start to the campaign, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count, as they entertain MU Barnhall in North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond won their first two games, but lost their last two. They were defeated 29-7 away by Dublin University last time out. This result has seen them slip to sixth place. MU Barnhall are in eighth place, ahead of Garryowen, on scoring differences. They were narrowly defeated 17-15 at home by Highfield.
The game of the day in Division 2A is the meeting of third-placed Cashel and second-placed Dungannon in the Premier County. The Tipperary side surrendered their unbeaten start to the campaign as they were defeated 29-10 by Wanderers in Dublin. Dungannon go into the tie on the back of a 14-9 home win over Shannon.
Shannon, who are hovering above the drop zone are away to fourth-placed Galway Corinthians. Shannon were defeated 14-9 by Dungannon in County Tyrone, but returned with a losing bonus point. Galway Corinthians put up 18 points without replay against UL Bohemian in Limerick in their last game.
UL Bohemian lock horns with Galwegians at 4GUL, with both sides occupying the relegation places. UL Bohemian are ninth and they were defeated 18-0 at home by Galway Corinthians last time out. Galwegians are seeking their first win of the campaign and are propping up the table on two losing bonus points. The Galway side claimed one of these bonus points from their last game, which they lost 17-12 at home to leaders Ballymena.
There are two Munster derbies in Division 2 South.
The game of the day is the top of the table clash between Clonmel and Old Crescent in South Tipperary. Both sides have maximum points from their games to date, with Clonmel leading on scoring differences. Clonmel scored four tries in their 24-10 home win over Thomond, while Old Crescent put up 26 points without reply against Enniscorthy in Limerick.
Dolphin, who are eighth go head to head with fourth-placed Midleton at Virgin Media Park. Dolphin were defeated 19-15 by Bruff in County Limerick last time out, but returned with a losing bonus point. The East Cork side go into the tie on the back of a 46-7 maximum-point home win over Monkstown.
Fifth-placed Bruff travel to the Model County to take on bottom side Enniscorthy, who are on zero points. Bruff recorded a narrow 19-15 home win over Dolphin. The County Wexford side were defeated 26-0 by Old Crescent in Limerick.
Thomond, who are in seventh place, ahead of Dolphin on scoring differences, welcome third-placed Bective Rangers to Liam Fitzgerald Park. Thomond were defeated 24-10 by Clonmel in South Tipperary. Bective Rangers returned with maximum points from their 59-7 victory over Buccaneers in Athlone.
In Division 1A of the Women’s AIL, UL Bohemian, who have climbed up to second place, travel to the Garden County, to take on bottom side Wicklow. UL Bohemian recorded their first win of the campaign last time out, as they claimed all points on offer from their 22-14 home win over Blackrock College. Wicklow are propping up the table on zero points and they fell to a 64-0 heavy defeat at home to leaders Old Belvedere.
It is Munster derby day in Division 1B, as Ballincollig and Ennis go head to head at Tanner Park. Ballincollig go into the tie on the back of a 31-31 draw with Enniskillen in a ten-try thriller, which also took place at Tanner Park. The Clare side, who are unbeaten in pole position, claimed all points on offer from their 33-17 home win over MU Barnhall.
JUNIOR
There is also a full programme of games down for decision in the Munster Junior League.
In Division 1, Old Christians go head to head with Sunday’s Well at Rathcooney on Saturday evening. This game also doubles up as a Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup tie. Old Christians were defeated 29-22 by St Mary’s in Limerick in their last game, where thy claimed a losing bonus point. Sunday’s Well scored five tries as they defeated Richmond 36-17 at Virgin Media Park. The winners of this game will be away to Clanwilliam in the next round of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup.
On Sunday, unbeaten leaders and defending champions Kilfeacle travel to West Limerick to take on Newcastle West. Kilfeacle have maximum points from their games to date and they go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 45-5 home win over Mallow. Newcastle West recorded a narrow 8-6 away win over Bandon in their last game.
Second-placed Crosshaven, who are also unbeaten, host Bandon at Myrtleville Cross. Crosshaven recorded a narrow 38-36 bonus point away win over Kinsale in a ten-try thriller in their last game. Bandon go into the tie on the back of a narrow 8-6 home defeat to Newcastle West, where they claimed a losing bonus point.
Third-placed St Mary’s travel to Duhallow, to take on Kanturk. The Limerick side claimed all points on offer from their 29-22 home win over Old Christians. Kanturk were defeated 24-7 by Skibbereen in West Cork in their last game.
Clonakilty lock horns with Kinsale at the Vale. Clonakilty go into the tie on the back of a 23-15 away win over Clanwilliam. Kinsale narrowly lost their last game 38-36 at home to Crosshaven in a South Cork derby. Kinsale claimed two bonus points, as they scored five tries.
Mallow go head to head with Skibbereen in North Cork. Mallow were defeated 45-5 by Kilfeacle in West Tipperary. Skibbereen claimed all points on offer last time out, as they defeated Kanturk 24-7 at the West Cork venue.
Bottom side Richmond go in search of their first points, as they take on Clanwilliam, who are hovering above the drop zone, at Canal Bank. Richmond go into tie on the back of a 36-17 away defeat by Sunday’s Well. Clanwilliam lost their last game 23-15 at home to Clonakilty.
In Division 2, Charleville who are hovering above the drop zone on a single losing bonus point, entertain unbeaten Youghal, who are joint-second with Cobh Pirates, at Smith’s Road. Charleville were defeated 55-14 by leaders Ennis in the Banner County in their last game. Youghal go into the tie on the back of a 41-10 maximum-point home win over Fermoy.
On Sunday, unbeaten leaders Ennis, who have maximum points from their games to date, lock horns with St Senan’s in a Clare derby at Jimmy Slattery Park. Ennis ran out comprehensive 55-14 maximum-point home winners over Charleville last time out. St Senan’s, who share fourth place with Killarney, were defeated 24-11 by Cobh Pirates in East Cork.
Cobh Pirates, who share second place with Youghal, travel to the Kingdom, to take on Castleisland. The Kerry side are propping up the table with Waterpark on zero points each. Cobh Pirates claimed maximum points from their 24-11 home win over St Senan’s. Castleisland go into the tie on the back of a 36-10 away defeat by Muskerry.
Muskerry are tied with Mid Cork neighbours Ballincollig on 12 points each and they travel to Tybroughney, to take on Carrick-on-Suir. Muskerry recorded a bonus point 36-10 home victory over Castleisland in their last game. Carrick-on-Suir go into the tie on the back of a 31-10 away defeat by Ballincollig.
Ballincollig are away to Tralee. Ballincollig claimed all points on offer from their 31-10 home win over Carrick-on-Suir. Tralee ran out 24-19 away winners over Killarney in a Kerry derby.
Fermoy face a tricky task, as they welcome Thurles to the Showgrounds. Fermoy have a single losing bonus point to their credit and they were defeated 41-10 by Youghal at the East Cork venue. Thurles recorded their first win of the campaign last time out, as they defeated Waterpark 36-7 on Suirside, to claim maximum points.
Waterpark, who are on zero points, welcome Killarney to Suirside. Waterpark were defeated 36-7 by Thurles in the Premier County. Killarney surrendered their unbeaten run, as they were defeated 24-19 at home by Tralee in a local derby, but they finished with a losing bonus point.
In Division 3, leaders Abbeyfeale, who are unbeaten on maximum points, travel to Suirside, to take on Waterford City. The West Limerick side ran out 46-24 home winners over Dungarvan in a 12-try thriller in their last game. Waterford City were defeated 10-0 by Killorglin in the Kingdom.
Second-placed Killorglin, who are also unbeaten, are away to Bantry Bay. The Kerry side go into the tie on the back of a 10-0 home win over Waterford City. Bantry Bay recorded a narrow 16-13 home win over Douglas.
Galbally-Mitchelstown make the relatively short trip to South Tipperary to take on Fethard. Galbally-Mitchelstown, who have a game in hand, claimed all points on offer from their only game to date, where they ran out 39-14 home winners over Scariff. Fethard returned from the West Kerry Gaeltacht with a losing bonus point from their narrow 20-19 defeat by Corca Dhuibhne.
Corca Dhuibhne, who recorded a narrow 20-19 home win over Fethard last time out, travel to West Waterford to take on Dungarvan. Dungarvan returned from their 46-24 away defeat by Abbeyfeale with a bonus point, as they scored four tries, in a game that produced 12 tries.
Douglas welcome Scariff to Castletreasure, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Doulgas, who have a game in hand, were narrowly defeated 16-13 by Bantry Bay in West Cork, which saw them claim a losing bonus point. Scariff were defeated 39-14 in County Limerick by Galbally-Mitchelstown.
There is a semi-final of the Munster Women’s Division 1 Cup is down for decision, together with a full programme of games in Divisions 2A, and 2B of the Women’s Munster League.
Clonakilty and Shannon go head to head in the Munster Women’s Cup semi-final at the Vale. The winners will meet Dolphin in the decider.
The game of the day in Division 2A of the Munster Women’s League ins the meeting of Tralee and Thurles in the Kingdom. Thurles are in pole position on scoring differences as they put up 79 points without reply against Garryowen-Newport in the Premier County. The Kerry side recorded a comprehensive 60-15 away win over Ennis.
Mallow, are also on five points, as they ran out 50-19 home winners over Old Crescent. They entertain Ennis, who were defeated 60-15 by Tralee in the Banner County.
Old Crescent and Garryowen-Newport go in search of their first points at Takumi Park, following heavy defeats in their respective openers. Old Crescent were defeated 50-19 by Mallow in North Cork. Garryowen-Newport lost their opener 79-0 against Thurles at the Mid Tipperary venue.
UL Bohemian go head to head with Ballincollig in Division 2B at Annacotty. The Limerick side put up 84 points without reply against Roaring Water Bay in their opener. Ballincollig also claimed maximum points from their narrow 29-28 home win over Waterpark.
Waterpark entertain Sunday’s Well at Ballinakill. Sunday’s Well claimed maximum points from their opener, which they won 22-15 against Dungarvan at Virgin Media Park. Waterpark returned from their 29-28 defeat against Ballincollig with a losing bonus point.
Roaring Water Bay go in search of their first points of the campaign, as they take on Dungarvan in Skibbereen. The West Cork side go into the tie on the back of a heavy 84-0 defeat by UL Bohemian in Limerick. Dungarvan returned with a losing bonus point from their 22-15 defeat by Sunday’s Well on Leeside.