PREVIEW | Limerick derby in 2A as Men and Women’s AIL reach the halfway stage of the season

Both the Men’s and Women’s All Ireland Leagues reach the halfway stages this weekend.

Division 1A

In Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League, the four Munster sides are in action against Dublin opposition.

Fourth-placed Young Munster are in Dublin as they take on UCD, who are hovering above the drop zone, at Belfield. The Limerick side ran out 20-16 home winners over neighbours Garryowen, following two successive defeats, while UCD go into the tie on the back of a 48-15 defeat by Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium.

Garryowen, who are sixth, face a tricky task as they welcome leaders Clontarf to Dooradoyle. After a promising start to the campaign, which yielded four successive wins and was followed by four successive defeats, the Sky Blues lost their last game 20-16, to claim their second losing bonus point. Clontarf ran out 27-7 home winners over Dublin University last time out.

Cork Constitution, who are third following their fifth successive victory in which they put up 45 points without reply against UCC at the Mardyke to claim maximum points, welcome fifth-placed Terenure College to Leeside. The visitors go into to the tie on the back of a 39-0 home win over bottom side Ballynahinch.

UCC, who are second from bottom following their heavy 45-0 home defeat by Cork Constitution, travel to the capital to take on Dublin University. The Dublin students were defeated 27-7 by leaders Clontarf at Castle Avenue last time out.

There is a Munster derby in Division 1B as unbeaten leaders Highfield travel to Limerick to lock horns with sixth-placed Shannon at Thomond Park. The Leesiders made it eight wins from eight as they defeated City of Armagh 21-10 at Woodleigh Park last time out, while Shannon go into the tie on the back of a narrow 15-12 away win over Malone.

Division 2A

On Friday evening, seventh-placed Old Crescent go head to head with eighth-placed UL Bohemian at Takumi Park in Division 2A. Both sides claimed maximum points from their last games as Old Crescent defeated bottom side Nenagh Ormond 30-15 in North Tipperary, while UL Bohemian ran out 29-26 home winners over Ballymena.

Sixth-placed Dolphin entertain Nenagh Ormond, who are propping up the table, at Musgrave Park. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats by Cashel and Old Crescent in their respective games last time out.

Fourth-placed Cashel travel to County Kildare to take on fifth-placed MU Barnhall. The Premier County side go into the tie on the back of a 24-7 home win over Dolphin, while MU Barnhall narrowly defeated Buccaneers 15-13 in Athlone.

Division 2C

Sunday’s Well, who are still without a win and rooted to the foot of the table, travel to County Limerick to take on seventh-placed Bruff at Kilballyowen Park. The Leesiders claimed their third losing bonus point from their narrow 16-14 defeat by Bangor at Musgrave Park, while Bruff were defeated 35-22 by Enniscorthy in County Wexford.

Midleton, who are fifth in Division 2C, face a tricky task as they welcome fourth-placed Tullamore to East Cork. Midleton were defeated 18-8 by Omagh Academicals in County Tyrone last time out, while the Faithful County side recorded a narrow 16-13 away win over Bruff in their last game.

Clonmel will have their work cut out as they welcome second-placed Enniscorthy to South Tipperary. Clonmel claimed a losing bonus point from their 9-6 defeat by City of Derry on Foyleside in their last game, while the Model County side claimed all points on offer from their 35-22 home win over Bruff.

Women’s AIL

In the final series of games in Phase One of the Women’s All Ireland League, second-placed UL Bohemian, who will be playing in the top section in the New Year, are away to fifth-placed Suttonians. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a comprehensive 64-5 home win over Ballincollig, from which they claimed maximum points. Suttonians, who will be playing in the lower section, go into the tie on the back of a narrow 13-12 home win over Malone.

Ballincollig, who will be playing in the lower section, following their heavy 64-5 defeat by UL Bohemian, welcome third-placed Blackrock College to Tanner Park, with the Dublin side going into the tie on the back of a 17-7 home win over Old Belvedere.