A number of local side’s will be looking to put things right this weekend after some poor results in round 9

Cork Constitution V Garryowen, Temple Hill (Kick Off 2:30)

Garryowen make the trip to Cork this Saturday in their return fixture with Champions Cork Constitution in the second of three fixtures in a row between the two AIL heavyweights, with the third coming in two weeks in the semi-final of the Munster Senior Cup. Con will be hurting following their defeat at the hands of the light blues, and it will make a trip that is already always a difficult one on the fixture list for most side’s, that bit harder.

Fixtures Fec 8-10@CorkConRugby v @GarryowenFC Sat Dec 9 ko 2:30 #UBL

@GarryowenFC3rds v @StSenansRugby Sat Dec 9 ko 2:30 #GL

— Garryowen FC (@GarryowenFC) December 7, 2017

With a British and Irish Cup game on this Friday night, both club’s will be missing a few key players, with the likes of Kevin O’Byrne and Alex Mchenry for the home side and Dave Johnston, Liam Coombes and Bill Johnston for the away side almost definitely involved in Munster A’s plans. Either way, both packs are sure to put up a fierce battle again this Saturday, but with the home side likely to lose less personnel to Munster it looks as if revenge is on the cards.

Young Munster V Terenure, Tom Clifford Park (Kick Off 2:30)

Young Munster welcome Terenure to Tom Clifford park on Saturday as they look to finish their 2017 on a high. It has been a lacklustre season so far for the Greenfields men with only three wins from their opening nine fixtures in the league, as well as being knocked out of the Munster Senior Cup by local rivals Garryowen.

Don’t forget there is a Supporters’ Bus leaving the club this Saturday at 10am
Please contact Niall Sweeney 0872070064 to book your seat pic.twitter.com/RMlSb9QAKL

— Terenure College RFC (@terenurerugby) December 6, 2017

After staying in touching distance with Nure’ for an hour last Saturday, the Cookies would have been very disappointed to leave Lakelands Park with nothing and will hope to put a number of things right this weekend in front of a home crowd. Munster A’ are in action Friday night which could mean one or two absentee’s for Munster’s, but if Gearoid Prendergast’s side stay in the game for the full 80 minutes they have a great chance to avenge last Saturday’s loss.

Shannon V Ballynahinch, Thomond Park (Kick Off 1:00)

Shannon will be looking to bounce back from their heaviest defeat this season on Saturday as they welcome Ballynahinch for the return fixture. Not only was it their heaviest defeat thus far, but Hinch’s win saw them leapfrog Shannon for the first time this year and claim top spot, for this week at least.

https://www.facebook.com/shannonrfc/photos/a.10151850822394633.1073741841.161779209632/10155413714724633/?type=3&theater

Tom Hayes’ side were missing their impressive half back pairing of Conor Fitzgerald and Jack Stafford last weekend amongst others but will be hoping the pair will be available for the return fixture, however it’s likely that both side’s will be missing a few of their Starting XV with Ulster A’ and their Munster counterparts in action on Friday and Saturday. Shannon haven’t faltered at home yet this year so it will be a big ask for the County Down side to come away with all four points.

UCC V UL Bohemians, The Mardyke (Kick Off 2:30)

UL Bohemians miserable start to the season continued on Saturday as they were handed another defeat by fellow College side UCC in the colours match. Bohs lie in second last place in Division 1B with only two wins to their name, and now with the first half of the season’s game’s now completed things aren’t looking good for Christy Neilan’s men.

A trip to the Mardyke doesn’t make things any easier for the Robin’s, and with their opponents now up to fourth in the table after an impressive run of four wins in their last five, it looks as if it could be another tough day at the office for the away side. With this being their last game before the Christmas break however, Bohs will be looking to finish 2017 off on a high and build towards a better 2018 if they want to stay in 1B

Navan RFC V Old Crescent, Balreask Old (Kick Off 2:30)

Old Crescent are the visitors to Balreask Old in County Meath this weekend as they look to cap a memorable 2017 campaign off in style against Navan RFC. In both of their last two fixtures, whilst they have kept their 100% record in tact, Crescent have been run very close, with the boot of in form Out Half Ronan McKenna getting them out of jail on both occasions via penalties.

@OldCrescentRFC1 and @LansdowneFC are only two teams in @UlsterBankRugby to complete clean sweep in first half of season. Long may it continue! @IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/hc2qK0Cgcv

— Old Crescent RFC (@OldCrescentRFC1) December 5, 2017

The Rosbrien side, along with 1A’s Lansdowne, who are coached by Grand Slam winning coach Mike Ruddock, are the only two club’s across Ireland’s top five league’s to go the full first half of the season undefeated, which puts what Brendan Guilfoyle’s side have achieved into perspective. With confidence high, despite two close results recently, a Crescent win should be on the cards on Saturday to end 2017 on a high.

Thomond V Bective Rangers, Liam Fitzgerald Park (Kick Off 2:30)

Thomond play host to Bective Rangers on Saturday in their final fixture in the league before the new year. The Soda Cakes would have been kicking themselves last weekend after failing to capitalise on a numerical advantage they had after a Bective player was sent off in the sixth minute for an off the ball incident.

Despite the loss, James Hickey’s side remained in second position in the table, and will take a lot of confidence from the fact they have been notching up decent scores at home this season. Their Dublin opponents have won their last three on the bounce, with one win in their first six, which suggests this upturn in form could cause problems for the Royal Blues this time out. Home advantage will count for a lot in this tie and with first place in their sights a Thomond win is on the cards.

Midleton V Bruff, Towns Park (Kick Off 2:30)

Bruff visit provincial rivals Midleton on Saturday as they look to finish off  a solid 2017 league campaign with a win. After last weekend’s win over their upcoming opponents, the County Limerick side moved up to fifth in the table, just five points off second place Thomond.

REMINDER!! Big game tomorrow in Towns Park as our Seniors take on Bruff at 2:30!! Promises to be a great game of rugby! Club house is open for teas, coffees and hot whiskies to keep you all warm! @UlsterBankRugby @bruffrfc

— Midleton RFC (@Midleton_RFC) December 8, 2017

The Cork outfit’s seventh loss of the campaign saw them slip to ninth place just three points adrift of bottom side Tullamore and will be hoping for a better result when they get a second bite at the cherry on in Round 10. If Eoin Cahill and his charges are serious about promotion, its games like these against lesser opposition that they have to be winning, and following on from their first win in four last time out, they will be confident of coming away fro  Towns Park with all four points.