AIB LEAGUE Weekend Previews

THIS IS the season of seasons with the top eight clubs forming a new section A for the 2009-10 season and the bottom six clubs entering a new Section B along with two promoted clubs.

There are two newcomers to the top division, with Buccaneers and Young Munster making a return, the latter arriving after six years in the relative wilderness of lower division rugby and Buccaneers back after a year in Division Two.

For the first time in 10 years there are six Munster clubs in the top flight along with six from Leinster and two from Connacht and Ulster.

Ballymena v Young Munster

Eaton Park

Young Munster's long trip to Eaton Park in their first match in Division One in six seasons against a team in second place in the Ulster Senior League is, to put it mildly, testing. Coached by former Ireland A centre Mick Lynch, the Limerick side will do well to take anything from this one.

Constitution v Terenure College

Temple Hill

The champions have won their last seven AIL meetings with the Dublin side and Terenure will travel to the lion's den in the knowledge that they are likely to be chasing scraps. Cork Con have an all-time ranking in the league of one compared to Terenure's 11th. A losing bonus point at best for the visitors in this difficult opener.

Blackrock College v Shannon

Stradbrook

An attractive match but Shannon arrive on a run that the home coaches Barry Gibney and Emmet Farrell, not to mention skipper and former Ireland hooker Shane Byrne will hope to break. The visitors have won their last six against Blackrock, who finished fifth last year to Shannon's second. Momentum remains with the Limerick side.

Buccaneers v Dolphin

Dubarry Park

Two teams that would be happy with a top-eight finish. Buccaneers arrive as Division Two champions , while Dolphin finished sixth in Division One. Buccaneers are on a hat-trick of wins but adjustment time to the higher level and the fact Dolphin held their own last season points to Buccaneers having to dog it out at home if they hope to start off with a win.

Clontarf v Garryowen

Castle Avenue

Clontarf are looking for their third successive win over Garryowen and the Castle Avenue venue will give captain Daragh O'Shea and his side an edge, although Paul Neville arrives confident after their third place finish last season. Clontarf have won three and lost four of their seven home games to Garryowen, making this meeting of play-off regulars one of the tightest of round one.

Dungannon v St Mary's

Stevenson Park

Good omens. St Mary's opened their 1999 season with a 13-8 win over Dungannon at Stevenson Park and went on to be crowned champions in Lansdowne Road, the only Dublin club to have done so. Former Ireland A hooker and St Mary's coach Peter Smyth has recruited well but Dungannon are six points clear at the top of the Ulster Senior League. Home advantage to count here.

Old Belvedere v UCD

Anglesea Road

What to make of UCD? Always full of vigour and talent, the students are looking for a hat-trick of wins over their neighbours, who finished eighth in the league last season. But students being what they are, this is up for grabs. Experience against youth, as always. A watchable derby match with the home side thinking that getting UCD early in the campaign may be to their advantage.

UL Bohemians v Galwegians

Annacotty

In their previous six meetings in the league UL Bohemians have won four and Galwegians two. Their finish last season of seventh compared to the visitors' 14th indicates momentum is with the home team.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times