ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE: DIVISION 1A: Saturday, February 23<\/p>\n
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated \u2013 YOUNG MUNSTER WANT the \u2018Greenfields factor\u2019 in full effect tonight for the visit of local rivals Garryowen. It is now nine rounds since the Cookies last tasted victory in the league, that run including narrow recent losses to Clontarf and UCD.<\/p>\n They did come away from Belfield with two bonus points last Saturday, both hard-earned given their defensive and disciplinary issues. Garryowen won a similarly tight game against Terenure College, while their teenage out-half Ben Healy \u2013 a possible Ireland Under-20 debutant this evening \u2013 kicked 22 points in their 32-26 home win over Munsters in November.<\/p>\n Diarmuid Barron has dotted down on seven occasions for Garryowen this term. Source: Laszlo Geczo\/INPHO<\/p>\n The Light Blues will be wary of a wounded Cookies side who are scrapping for every point. However, if seven-try youngster Diarmuid Barron continues to excel up front and Munster flyer Alex Wootton features again, the visitors should take the spoils.<\/p>\n All-Ireland League Season\u2019s Form: Young Munster: WLWLLLDLLLLL; Garryowen: WWLLLWWWWLWW Recent League Meetings: Friday, 5 January, 2018: Young Munster 25 Garryowen 0, Tom Clifford Park; Friday, 23 November, 2018: Garryowen 32 Young Munster 26, Dooradoyle<\/p>\n CLONTARF (3rd) v UCC (8th), Castle Avenue<\/p>\n Clontarf\u2019s hopes of a home semi-final have been hit by back-to-back defeats to Dublin University and Cork Constitution. They return to Castle Avenue determined to make up for a below-par first half against Con which left them playing catch-up.<\/p>\n Their five personnel changes tomorrow see the back-line bolstered by the ex-Trinity trio of Michael Courtney, Ariel Robles and Angus Lloyd, while there are also starts for Royce Burke-Flynn and Cormac Daly in the tight five.<\/p>\n Brian Walsh’s UCC have won three of their last six. Source: Oisin Keniry\/INPHO<\/p>\n Since losing 37-22 to \u2018Tarf at the Mardyke, UCC have won three of their last six games to move out of the bottom two. They welcome back Lee McSherry and Ryan Murphy into the back row, with the latter aiming to add to his impressive six tries so far.<\/p>\n All-Ireland League Season\u2019s Form: Clontarf: WWWWWWLLWWLL; UCC: LLLLLLWLLWWL Recent League Meeting: Saturday, 24 November, 2018: UCC 22 Clontarf 37, the Mardyke<\/p>\n CORK CONSTITUTION (1st) v UCD (6th), Temple Hill<\/p>\n JJ O’Neill is bang on form for the hosts and league leaders. Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan\/INPHO<\/p>\n Cork Constitution\u2019s bonus-point dismissal of Clontarf was further evidence of their dynamic form, with a match average of 31 points scored since the turn of the year. Over the first two-thirds of the season, they have conceded just under 12 points per round.<\/p>\n UCD were on the end of a 28-point beating by Brian Hickey\u2019s men in November, but have shown signs of their potential with victories over Terenure College and Young Munster since then. Fullback Conall Doherty starred with 18 points against Munsters last week.<\/p>\n Centre Stephen Murphy, prop Sam Griffin and lock Brian Cawley have been added to the students\u2019 starting XV for their trip to Leeside. It looks a very tough ask, especially with Con winger JJ O\u2019Neill chasing his fourth try in three outings.<\/p>\n All-Ireland League Season\u2019s Form: Cork Constitution: WWWLWWWWWWWW; UCD: WDLWLLDWLLLW Recent League Meetings: Saturday, 24 March, 2018: UCD 27 Cork Constitution 39, Belfield Bowl; Saturday, 24 November, 2018: UCD 3 Cork Constitution 31, Belfield Bowl<\/p>\n SHANNON (7th) v DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (5th), Thomond Park back pitch<\/p>\n Shannon host Dublin University for the first time in three years, seeking a full 80-minute performance after lapsing at crucial stages in their back-to-back losses to Garryowen and Lansdowne which have moved them down to seventh.<\/p>\n Trinity have gone in the opposite direction, last week\u2019s bonus point success against UCC keeping them in touch with the top four. They are getting scores from all quarters, as evidenced their top try scorers, fullback and captain Colm Hogan and prop Giuseppe Coyne with four each.<\/p>\n Colm Hogan runs in a try against Lansdowne. Source: Laszlo Geczo\/INPHO<\/p>\n Hooker Joe Horan is the only change to the students\u2019 starting line-up for tomorrow. It should be quite a battle between the second rows with Shannon\u2019s likely pairing of Ronan Coffey and skipper Jade Kriel facing Arthur Greene and Ryan Baird.<\/p>\n All-Ireland League Season\u2019s Form: Shannon: LWWLWLLLWWLL; Dublin University: LDLWWWLWLLWW Recent League Meetings: Saturday, 2 January, 2016: Shannon 22 Dublin University 25, Thomond Park back pitch; Saturday, 24 November, 2018: Dublin University 31 Shannon 19, College Park<\/p>\n TERENURE COLLEGE (10th) v LANSDOWNE (2nd), Lakelands Park<\/p>\n Peter O’Sullivan of Lansdowne takes one to the house in the corresponding fixture. Source: Oisin Keniry\/INPHO<\/p>\n Terenure were a missed drop goal away from claiming a priceless five points at Garryowen last Saturday. It was another positive performance, nonetheless, and they have scored 11 tries in their last two games \u2013 including three from winger Sam Dardis.<\/p>\n For their trip to the division\u2019s bottom side, Lansdowne are set to field an unchanged team from last week\u2019s 43-15 triumph over Shannon. Peter Sullivan is another young winger in terrific form with five tries in the last three rounds.<\/p>\n \u2018Nure have certainly raised their game since losing 41-12 to Lansdowne in November. However, it is difficult to see them containing their Dublin rivals\u2019 firepower in the rematch. Shannon managed to do so for 40 minutes but were blown way in the second half.<\/p>\n All-Ireland League Season\u2019s Form: Terenure College: LLLWLLLLLLWL; Lansdowne: LLWWWWWWWWLW Recent League Meetings: Saturday, 27 January, 2018: Terenure College 8 Lansdowne 12, Lakelands Park; Friday, 23 November, 2018: Lansdowne 41 Terenure College 12, Aviva Stadium back pitch<\/p>\n ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE: DIVISION 1B: Saturday, February 23<\/p>\n Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated \u2013<\/em><\/p>\n BALLYMENA (10th) v OLD WESLEY (2nd), Eaton Park<\/p>\n Roger McBurney is out injured for Ballymena this weekend. Source: Presseye\/John McIlwaine\/INPHO<\/p>\n Ballymena\u2019s tiring defence was ruthlessly punished last week as Old Belvedere put 52 points and eight tries on them. They should have a stronger line-up tomorrow with props Nacho Cladera Crespo and Chris Cundell returning along with lock David Whann.<\/p>\n Rodger McBurney (calf) and Mark Foster (head injury) are sidelined, but the Braidmen\u2019s top try scorer Connor Smyth could get clearance to play following a bout of glandular fever. He was their lone try scorer in November\u2019s 27-16 loss at Old Wesley.<\/p>\n Second-placed Wesley could achieve a fantastic full set of five wins in Ulster, their latest success up north coming just last Saturday in Armagh (19-17). Their full-back Rory Stynes\u2019 reliable right boot has seen him top the division\u2019s scoring charts with 109 points.<\/p>\n All-Ireland League Season\u2019s Form: Ballymena: LLWLLLWWWLLL; Old Wesley: WDLWLWLWWWLW Recent League Meetings: Saturday, 14 April, 2018: Ballymena 22 Old Wesley 21, Eaton Park; Saturday, 24 November, 2018: Old Wesley 27 Ballymena 16, Energia Park, Donnybrook<\/p>\n BANBRIDGE (4th) v BALLYNAHINCH (6th), Rifle Park<\/p>\n Familiar foes Banbridge and Ballynahinch, who were both beaten in the last round, lock horns at Rifle Park. Bann are set to make four changes from their 22-15 defeat to leaders Malone, including scrum half Ian Porter\u2019s first start since returning from injury.<\/p>\n Forwards Jonny Murphy, Chris Allen and Ethan Harbinson also come in, although lock Allen is doubtful with his wife expecting a child. Boosted by the returning James Simpson and Rory Butler, Ballynahinch are expected to field a similar side after losing narrowly to Wesley.<\/p>\n Bann head coach Simon McKinstry said: \u201cIt was a disappointing result against Malone, we\u2019d a lot of knock-ons and unforced errors. Ballynahinch is another tough one. But we\u2019re still in the hunt and as long as that\u2019s the case we\u2019ll be battling for every point.\u201d<\/p>\n All-Ireland League Season\u2019s Form: Banbridge: LWWWLLWLLWWL; Ballynahinch: LDWWLWWLWLWL Recent League Meetings: Saturday, 21 April, 2018: Banbridge 28 Ballynahinch 24, Rifle Park; Saturday, 24 November, 2018: Ballynahinch 13 Banbridge 12, Ballymacarn Park<\/p>\n BUCCANEERS (9th) v ST. MARY\u2019S COLLEGE (7th), Dubarry Park<\/p>\n Buccaneers\u2019 tally of five losing bonus points tells its own tale, with the Pirates\u2019 latest reversal seeing them foiled by Armagh number 8 Neil Faloon\u2019s last-gasp try last Saturday. This weekend\u2019s visitors, St. Mary\u2019s, also pipped them (34-32) in November.<\/p>\n They have lost lock Joe Maksymiw, one of their best players in round 12, to the Connacht bench, while Simon Meagher, who has bagged four tries from flanker, is their main injury concern. Props Conan O\u2019Donnell and Conor Kenny should hopefully return tomorrow.<\/p>\n Mary\u2019s halted a three-match losing run with a craftily-carved out 18-11 victory over Naas. Man-of-the-match Nick McCarthy produced a big performance at the breakdown, which will be a key area again as the Dubliners look to repeat their December 2017 win at the midlands venue (22-6).<\/p>\n All-Ireland League Season\u2019s Form: Buccaneers: LLWLLLWLLWWL; St. Mary\u2019s College: WLLWLWWWLLLW Recent League Meetings: Saturday, 9 December, 2017: Buccaneers 6 St. Mary\u2019s College 22, Dubarry Park; Saturday, 24 November, 2018: St. Mary\u2019s College 34 Buccaneers 32, Templeville Road<\/p>\n NAAS (5th) v MALONE (1st), Forenaughts<\/p>\n
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YOUNG MUNSTER (9th) v GARRYOWEN (4th), Tom Clifford Park, tonight, 8pm<\/p>\n
All-Ireland League Top Scorers \u2013 Young Munster: Points: Clayton Stewart 49; Tries: Darragh O\u2019Neill 5; Garryowen: Points: Ben Healy 54; Tries: Diarmuid Barron 7<\/p>\n
All-Ireland League Top Scorers \u2013 Clontarf: Points: David Joyce 70; Tries: Matt D\u2019Arcy 5; UCC: Points: James Taylor 97; Tries: Ryan Murphy 6<\/p>\n
All-Ireland League Top Scorers \u2013 Cork Constitution: Points: Aidan Moynihan 96; Tries: JJ O\u2019Neill 7; UCD: Points: Conall Doherty 35; Tries: Andy Marks 5<\/p>\n
All-Ireland League Top Scorers \u2013 Shannon: Points: Jake Flannery 69; Tries: Jake Flannery 4; Dublin University: Points: James Fennelly 94; Tries: Colm Hogan, Giuseppe Coyne 4 each<\/p>\n
All-Ireland League Top Scorers \u2013 Terenure College: Points: James Thornton 49; Tries: Matthew Byrne 6; Lansdowne: Points: Scott Deasy 64; Tries: Daniel McEvoy, Peter Sullivan 7 each<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
All-Ireland League Top Scorers \u2013 Ballymena: Points: Tim Small 96; Tries: Connor Smyth 4; Old Wesley: Points: Rory Stynes 109; Tries: Tom Kiersey 4<\/p>\n
All-Ireland League Top Scorers \u2013 Banbridge: Points: Adam Doherty 78; Tries: Peter Cromie 7; Ballynahinch: Points: Rhys O\u2019Donnell 30; Tries: Rhys O\u2019Donnell 6<\/p>\n
All-Ireland League Top Scorers \u2013 Buccaneers: Points: Luke Carty 96; Tries: Darragh Corbett, Shane Layden, Simon Meagher 4 each; St. Mary\u2019s College: Points: Conor Dean 59; Tries: Hugo Conway 4<\/p>\n