Senior
It is another busy weekend with full series of games across the Men’s and Women’s All-Ireland Leagues.
In Division 1A of the Men’s AIL, Cork Constitution, who have slipped into the relegation places, travel to County Down, to take on bottom side Ballynahinch. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats. Cork Constitution lost 26-7 to leaders Old Belvedere on Leeside. The Ulster side lost their last game 39-21 against Clontarf in Dublin.
Young Munster travel to the Capital to take on St Mary’s College. Young Munster have slipped to eighth place and are three points clear of the drop zone. They were defeated 36-26 by Lansdowne in Limerick, but claimed a bonus point, as they scored for tries. St Mary’s College, who are fourth, recorded a 26-17 maximum-point away win over Old Wesley in a Dublin derby.
Highfield, who are fourth with a game in hand in Division 1B, face a tough assignment, as they travel to Dublin to take on leaders Blackrock College. Highfield are tied on 14 points with Dublin University and Nenagh Ormond in fourth place, but are ahead on scoring differences. Highfield go into the tie on the back of a narrow 17-15 victory over MU Barnhall in County Kildare. Blackrock returned with maximum points from their 43-16 victory over Garryowen in Limerick.
Nenagh Ormond welcome bottom side UCC to North Tipperary. Nenagh Ormond are behind Highfield and Dublin University on scoring differences. The North Tipperary side recorded a narrow 18-16 home win over MU Barnhall last time out. The Leeside Students are still without a win, but have three bonus points to their credit. They also have a game in hand. UCC claimed a losing bonus point from their last game, which they lost 25-23 against Garryowen on Leeside.
Garryowen are second from bottom and they travel to the Palace Grounds, to take on City of Armagh. The Ulster side are hovering above the drop zone, one point clear of the Sky Blues. Garryowen go into the tie on the back of a 43-16 home defeat by Blackrock College. City of Armagh also lost their last game, 43-17 to Naas in County Kildare.
It is Munster derby day in Division 2A as leaders Cashel make the relatively short trip to Limerick, to take on Shannon at Thomond Park. Shannon are tied on seven points with UL Bohemian, but are hovering above the relegation places on scoring differences. Cashel got back to winning ways last time out, as they narrowly defeated Dungannon 21-20 in the Premier County. Shannon go into the tie on the back of a 24-3 away defeat by Galway Corinthians.
UL Bohemian lock horns with Galwegians at Crowley Park, with both sides occupying the relegation places. The Limerick side are tied on seven points with Shannon, but are in the drop zone on scoring differences. UL Bohemian were defeated 40-24 by Queen’s University, in a game which produced nine tries in Limerick. Galwegians are propping up the table and they ran out 22-15 winners over Greystones at the County Wicklow venue, to record their first victory of the campaign.
There are two Munster derbies in Division 2B South.
Unbeaten leaders Clonmel are away to fifth-placed Bruff at Kilballyowen Park. Clonmel ran out 16-5 winners over Old Crescent, in a top of the table clash last time out at the South Tipperary venue. Bruff returned from their 31-25 away win over Enniscorthy with maximum points.
Old Crescent lock horns with Thomond in a Limerick City derby at Takumi Park, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Old Crescent have slipped to third, following their 16-5 defeat by Clonmel in a top of the table clash in the Premier County. Thomond are hovering above the drop zone, tied on six points with Dolphin, but are ahead on scoring differences. Thomond lost their last game 29-12 at home to Bective Rangers.
Fourth-placed Midleton host bottom side Enniscorthy at Towns Park. The East Cork side claimed maximum points last time out as they defeated Dolphin 62-0 at Virgin Media Park. Enniscorthy, who are propping up the table, claimed their only point to date from their last game, which they lost 31-25 at home to Bruff.
Dolphin travel to Athlone to take on Buccaneers. Dolphin are tied on six points above the relegation play-off place with Thomond, but are behind on scoring differences. Dolphin fell to a 62-0 defeat by Midleton at Virgin Media Park. The Athlone side go into the tie on the back of a 31-25 maximum-point victory over Monkstown in Dublin.
In Division 1A of the Women’s AIL, second-placed UL Bohemian travel to Crowley Park to take on Galwegians, who are fifth. UL Bohemian claimed all points on offer last time out, as they defeated bottom side Wicklow 43-19 in the Garden County. Galwegians go into the tie on the back of a heavy 46-7 defeat by Blackrock College in Dublin.
Ennis, who are third in Division 1B, travel to County Carlow, to take on Tullow, who are second from bottom. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats. Ennis were defeated 23-14 by Ballincollig at Tanner Park. Tullow lost their last game 36-7 against MU Barnhall in County Kildare.
Ballincollig are away to bottom side Cooke. Ballincollig recorded their first victory of the campaign last time out as they defeated Ennis 23-14 at Tanner Park, to claim maximum points. The Belfast side, who are propping up the table, are still without a win, but claimed losing bonus points from each of their games to date. Cooke lost their last game 12-5 at home to leaders Enniskillen.
Junior
It is also a busy weekend in the Munster Junior League, with a full list of games across all Three Divisions.
Sunday’s Well go head to head with Kanturk at Virgin Media Park on Saturday night. This game also doubles up as a County Cup final. Sunday’s Well were defeated 24-20 by Old Christians in their last game at Rathcooney, but they finished with a losing bonus point. Kanturk claimed maximum points from their last game, where they defeated St Mary’s 36-22 at the Duhallow venue. Sunday’s Well are also seeking to win the County Cup for the second time, with their only triumph in this competition to date coming three years go. Kanturk are seeking their seventh County Cup success and their first since the 2017/18 season.
Skibbereen welcome Newcastle West to the Carbery Showgrounds, with both sides going into the tie on the back of defeats. Skibbereen are four points clear of the relegation places and they were defeated 24-15 by Mallow in North Cork. The West Limerick side, who are two points clear of the drop zone, fell to a heavy 43-0 home defeat to leaders Kilfeacle.
On Sunday, unbeaten leaders and defending champions Kilfeacle, who have maximum points from their games to date, entertain Crosshaven in West Tipperary. Kilfeacle claimed all points on offer last time out, as they ran out 43-0 away winners over Newcastle West. Crosshaven surrendered their unbeaten start to the campaign as they were defeated 41-27 at home by Bandon, but claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.
Bandon lock horns with near neighbours Clonakilty in a West Cork derby at Old Chapel. Bandon are tied with Kinsale on 15 points apiece in second place, but are ahead on the number of wins. Bandon ran out 41-27 winners over Crosshaven at the South Cork venue in a ten-try thriller, to claim maximum points. Clonakilty who are joint-fourth with St Mary’s, but behind on four-try bonus points, were defeated 31-27 at home by Kinsale. Clonakilty claimed two bonus points as they scored four tries, in a game which produced nine tries.
Kinsale, who share second place with Bandon, welcome Clanwilliam, who are the only side without a win, to South Cork. Kinsale ran out 31-27 away winners over Clonakilty in their last game, to claim maximum points. Clanwilliam returned with two bonus points, as they scored four tries in their narrow 29-27 defeat by Richmond in Limerick.
Old Christians, who are on 11 points, go head to head with bottom side Richmond at Rathcooney. Both sides go into the tie on the back of bonus point victories. Old Christians recorded a 24-20 home win over Sunday’s Well. Richmond recorded their first victory of the campaign last time out, as they defeated Clanwilliam 29-27 at Canal Bank.
St Mary’s entertain Mallow at MultiFlow Park. St Mary’s share fourth place with Clonakilty on 12 points apiece, but are ahead on four-try bonus points. St Mary’s were defeated 36-25 by Kanturk in a game which produced nine tries at the Duhallow venue. The Limerick side claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries. Mallow claimed all points on offer from their 24-15 home win over Skibbereen.
The game of the day in Division 2 is the meeting of Ennis and Cobh Pirates, who are both unbeaten, in the Banner County. Ennis are in pole position, with maximum points from their games to date, while Cobh Pirates have two four-try bonus points to their credit. Cobh Pirates are joint-second with East Cork neighbours Youghal. Ennis ran out 50-12 away winners last time out over St Senan’s in a Clare derby. The Pirates defeated Castleisland 21-12 in the Kingdom.
Youghal, who are also unbeaten, are tied with Cobh Pirates in second place. They host fifth-placed St Senan’s at the East Cork venue. Youghal go into the tie on the back of a narrow 18-17 away win over Charleville. St Senan’s were defeated 50-12 at home by Ennis in a Clare derby.
Muskerry, who are joint-third with Mid Cork neighbours Ballincollig, but ahead on try-scoring difference, host Tralee, who are seven points clear of the relegation places. Muskerry returned from their comprehensive 45-3 away win over Carrick-on-Suir with maximum points. Tralee were defeated 31-22 at home by Ballincollig, but claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries.
Ballincollig entertain Waterpark at Tanner Park. Ballincollig claimed all points on offer as they defeated Tralee 31-22 at the Kerry venue. Waterpark recorded their first win of the campaign last time out, as they narrowly defeated Killarney 27-25 on Suirside.
Thurles, who share fourth place with Killarney, but are ahead of the Kerry side on four-try bonus points, welcome Charleville to the Premier County. The Tipperary side recoded a 38-25 away win in a ten-try thriller against Fermoy, which saw them claim maximum points. Charleville are second from bottom on two losing bonus points and are seeking their first win of the campaign. They claimed one of these bonus points from their last game, which they lost 18-17 at home to Youghal.
Killarney will be looking to make the most of home advantage count, as they welcome struggling Fermoy to the Kingdom. The Kerry side won their first two games of the campaign, but fell to two successive defeats to Tralee and Waterpark. On both occasions, they claimed losing bonus points. Killarney were narrowly defeated 27-25 by Waterpark on Suirside last time out. Fermoy are still seeking their first win. They were defeated 38-25 at home by Thurles, in a game which produced ten tries. Fermoy claimed a losing bonus point, as they scored four tries.
Carrick-on-Suir are two points clear of the relegation places and they host bottom side Castleisland at Tybroughney. Carrick-on-Suir fell to a heavy 45-3 defeat to Muskerry in their last game. The Kerry side are still on zero points and they were defeated 21-12 at home by Cobh Pirates.
In Division 3, Killorglin, who are unbeaten in second place, welcome Douglas to the Kingdom. The Kerry side recorded a 17-11 victory over Bantry Bay in West Cork. Doulgas, who have a game in hand, were defeated 33-17 at home by Scariff.
Third-placed Scariff host fifth-placed Fethard in East Clare, with both sides coming off the back of bonus point victories. Scariff ran out 33-17 away winners over Doulgas. Fethard recorded their first win of the campaign, as they recorded a 34-11 home victory over Galbally-Mitchelstown.
Corca Dhuibhne, who are fourth, welcome Waterford City to the West Kerry Gaeltacht. The West Kerry Gaeltacht side returned with maximum points from their 40-24 victory over Dungarvan in a ten-try thriller at the West Waterford venue. Waterford City were defeated 24-17 at home by leaders Abbeyfeale, but they finished with a losing bonus point.
Galbally-Mitchelstown, who have a game in hand, entertain Dungarvan in County Limerick. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats. Galbally-Mitchelstown were defeated 34-11 by Fethard in South Tipperary. Dungarvan are still without a win, but have two four-try bonus points to their credit. One of these bonus points was claimed in their last game, where they were defeated 40-24 by Corca Dhuibhne in game which produced ten tries in West Waterford.
In Division 1 of the Women’s Munster League, Shannon go head to head with Galbally at Coonagh, with both sides seeking their first win of the campaign. Shannon played out a 36-36 draw with Clonakilty in their opener at Coonagh. Shannon also claimed a bonus point, as they scored six tries in a 12-try thriller. Galbally were defeated 48-26 away by Dolphin. Galbally also claimed a bonus point, as they scored four tries, in a game which produced 12 tries.
Ballincollig welcome Ennis to Tanner Park for the second semi-final of the Munster Women’s Division 2 Cup. Tralee await the winners in the decider.