All-Ireland League Previews

First Division

Young Munster v Shannon (Clifford Park)

Three weeks of cold turkey, a big turn-out, all the internationals on show, the keenest of local derbies, a top-four place on offer; why even the Lord Mayor will be in attendance for what should be a thunderous ball game.

Liable to go down to the wire, for there is usually never more than a score in it either way, as has also been the case in all of Young Munster's seven games this season. With Munsters' missing the accurate throwing of the injured Bevan Cantrell and doubts about reserve scrum-half Diarmuid Reddan and full-back Mark Connolly, Shannon's superior line-out, coupled with the emergence of young David Delaney at outhalf and the potent LaceyO'Neill-Lawlor outside three which is beginning to gel, could give them the superior weaponry.

Last three seasons: Shannon 17 Young Munster 20; Young Munster 9 Shannon 10; Shannon 13 Young Munster 7

Form-guide: Young Munster - W L L W W W L; Shannon - W W W W L D.

Leading try scorers: Young Munster - Mark Connolly 2; Shannon - John Lacey, John O'Neill, Marcus Horan, Mossie Lawlor 3 each.

Leading points scorers: Young Munster - Tom Cregan 46; Shannon - Andrew Thompson 57.

Referee: Dave McHugh (IRFU)

Bookies odds (all supplied by Paddy Powers): Handicap betting (YM + 6pts) 10/11 Young Munster, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Shannon.

Forecast: Shannon to win.

Clontarf v St Mary's College (Castle Avenue)

With their title already on the line, 'Mary's take to the Clontarf fortress, where Grizz Wyllie's team have won all three games to date. Eddie Hekenui has been ruled out, so Mark McHugh moves to outhalf and with a large doubt over Peter McKenna (who may be on the bench), Brent Pope will juggle between Alan Conboy and Brendan Bartley, with Denis Hickie possibly moving to full-back. Injuries to Kevin Nowlan and Donovan Rossi mean Wyllie gives full AIL debuts to young full-back Daragh O'Shea and young centre James Downey. 'Mary's have the division's second-lowest try tally and may have to grind it out, but given big games from the big guns up front, Malcolm O'Kelly and Victor Costello, they should get there.

Last three seasons: St Mary's 23 Clontarf 16; Clontarf 17 St Mary's 46; St Mary's 12 Clontarf 23.

Form-guide: Clontarf - W L W L L W L; St Mary's - L L W W L D.

Leading try scorers: Bobby Baggott 3; St Mary's - Peter McKenna 2.

Leading points scorers: Clontarf - Richie Murphy 64; St Mary's - Mark McHugh 32.

Referee: Dave Tyndall (IRFU).

Odds: Handicap betting (Clontarf + 3pts) 10/11 Clontarf, 16/1 draw, 10/11 St Mary's.

Forecast: St Mary's to win.

Buccaneers v Ballymena(Ericcson Park)

Sometimes a change is as good as a rest and with Buccs having now had both there'll be a palpable optimism amongst one of the day's strongest home followings. Recalling Paul Whittaker for leading scorer Eamonn Molloy is Simon Allnutt's only change. Ballymena are without Scott Young so Jeff Park returns, while Derek Topping replaces the injured Andy Graham. They still look the better team, and have shed their away day blues (as evidenced by a handy win here last year) but if the Buccs' pack (the most settled in the country) gets up a head of steam there could be a surprise.

Last three seasons: Buccaneers 25 Ballymena 41; Ballymena 16 Buccaneers 34; didn't meet.

Form-guide: Buccaneers - L L L L L L W; Ballymena - W W W D L W.

Leading try scorers: Buccaneers - Mattie Walker 3; Ballymena - Russell Nelson 4, Shane Stewart, Mark Blair 3 each.

Leading points scorers: Buccaneers - Eamonn Molloy 50; Ballymena - Neil Doak 31.

Referee: John Sheahan (Munster).

Odds: Handicap betting (Buccs + 6pts) 10/11 Buccs, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Ballymena.

Forecast: Buccaneers to win.

Garryowen v DLSP(Dooradoyle)

Jeremy Staunton returns to the centre for Garryowen's first home game since before Christmas and Kevin Hartigan switches to the wing in an otherwise unchanged and settling side, who are unbeaten in four games without doing anything too flashy. They gave DLSP their most serious going over of the season last year. The latter's form on the road has been dreadful and the absence of Kent Ashmore, Mark Kavanagh and Rowen Frost has weakened their tight five, while for all their ability, Simon Broughton and Shane Stephens have yet to catch fire.

Last three seasons: Garryowen 35 DLSP 5; didn't meet; didn't meet.

Form-guide: Garryowen - L L W D W D; DLSP - L L L L W L W.

Leading try scorers: Garryowen - Jeremy Staunton 2; DLSP - Mihai Vioreanu 3.

Leading points scorers: Garryowen - Staunton 68; DLSP - Damien McCabe 25.

Referee: David Keane (IRFU).

Odds: Handicap betting (DLSP +14pts) 10/11 Garryowen, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 DLSP.

Forecast: Garryowen to win.

Dungannon v Cork Constitution (Stevenson Park)

CoulD well be the best rugby match of the day, the Humphreys-O'Gara outhalf showdown epitomising a high-quality cast, the bulk of them representative players (and nine of them internationals). Con have been the best club side in the country this season and look to have the edge up front, whereas Dungannon have been disappointing, but if their setpieces hold and they get their quick tempo game going they certainly have as many match-winners - all of whom (Humphreys, Bell, Constable, Howe) are primed for today.

Last three seasons: Dungannon 33 Cork Con 14; Didn't meet; Dungannon 18 Cork Con 9.

Form-guide: Dungannon - L W L W L D; Cork Con - W W W W W W W.

Leading try scorers: Dungannon - Bryn Cunningham, Richard Mackey 2 each; Cork Con - Craig Taylor 4, Brian O'Meara, Anthony Horgan 3 each.

Leading points scorers: Dungannon - David Humphreys 76; Cork Con - Brian O'Meara 69.

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU).

Odds: Handicap betting (Dungannon + 5pts) 10/11 Dungannon, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Dungannon.

Forecast: Dungannon to win.

Lansdowne v Galwegians (Lansdowne Road)

Lansdowne's first home game since before Christmas, after four successive away matches, again finds them shorn of key men such as Shane Horgan, David O'Mahony and Angus McKeen and although David Quigley has manfully assumed the kicking duties at outhalf they still aren't making the most of the in-form Gordon D'Arcy. 'Wegians have the stronger hand, Junior Charlie's return compensating for the loss of Johnny O'Connor. Two teams who pride themselves on defence, this may not flow like honey but 'Wegians may have a bit more attacking edge and impact off the bench.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet; Lansdowne 26 Galwegians 22; didn't meet.

Form-guide: Lansdowne - D W W L L L D; Galwegians - W W W W W W W.

Leading try scorers: Lansdowne - Lorcan O'Brien, Aidan McCullan 2 each; Galwegians - Gavin Duffy, Tim Allnutt, Willie Ruane 4 each.

Leading points scorers: Lansdowne - David Quigley 34; Galwegians - Eric Elwood 79.

Referee: Gareth Doyle (IRFU).

Odds: Handicap betting (Lansdowne + 3pts) 10/11 Lansdowne, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Galwegians.

Forecast: Galwegians to win.

Terenure College v Old Crescent (Lakelands Park)

If Terenure, disappointing up to now, are to make a push from the pack of seven teams separated by just two points, the time is surely now. Doubts about Mark O'Kelly and Derek Hegarty are offset by Girvan Dempsey's first appearance of the season and Eric Miller's third. 'Crescent are wildly inconsistent, though their best form has been on the road, where they've picked up nine of their ten points.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet; didn't meet; Terenure 41 Old Crescent 23.

Form-guide: Terenure - D W L L W L; Old Crescent - L W L L W L L.

Leading try scorers: Terenure - David Coleman 4; Old Crescent - Wayne Munn 3.

Leading points scorers: Terenure - Shane Cullen 55; Old Crescent - Billy Treacy 47.

Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU).

Odds: Handicap betting (Old Crescent + 8pts) 10/11 Terenure, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Old Crescent.

Forecast: Terenure to win.

Belfast/Harlequins v Blackrock College(Ormeau Road)

Harlequins' initial difficulties can be explained in part by their first three away games being against the top three and there are signs they're finding their feet. Their home form has stood up well and their decent front-row could profit against 'Rock's, given the absence of Shane Byrne and Gary Halpin, though Niall Treston is a good young prospect. The more proven goalkicking of Alan McGowan may just give them the nod.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet; didn't meet; didn't meet.

Form-guide: B/H - L L W L L L; Blackrock - W L L L W D.

Leading try scorers: B/H - Robin Morrow 3; Blackrock - Gary Browne 2.

Leading points scorers: B/H - Niall Malone, Morrow 15 each; Blackrock - Alan McGowan - 61.

Referee: Bertie Smith (IRFU).

Odds: (scratch) 10/11 B/Harlequins, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Blackrock.

Forecast: Blackrock to win.

Division TwoUCC v Ballynahinch (Mardyke Grounds)

The students' form has been very patchy, even losing their last two home games against Wanderers and Dolphin. Ballynahinch too have lost their unbeaten home record, though there was no shame in narrow defeat away to Belvo last time out.

Last two seasons: Didn't meet; UCC 30 Ballynahinch 15.

Form-guide: UCC - W L W L L; Ballynahinch - L D L L L.

Referee: Des Woods (Leinster)

Forecast: UCC to win.

Sunday's Well v Bective Rangers (Musgrave Park)

The 'Well have run a bit dry of late, surrendering their unbeaten home record to UCD and then going down to Midleton, whereas Rangers have been consistently beating those below them (save for an early defeat at UL/Bohs) and have already proven themselves in Co Cork with wins over Dolphin and Midleton.

Last two seasons: Bective 23 Sunday's Well 17; Sunday's Well 6 Bective 9.

Form-guide: Sunday's Well - W L W L L; Bective Rangers - L L W W W.

Referee: Terry McCartney (Ulster).

Forecast: Bective to win.

City Of Derry v Midleton - off.

UL/Bohemians v Carlow (Thomond Park)

Unbeaten in Thomond Park this season, UL/Bohs will give the divisional leaders a stern enough test but Carlow have taken all challenges in their stride since losing narrowly back-to-back at Midleton and Bective, wining their last six games on the spin.

Last two seasons: UL/Bohs 29 Carlow 20; Bohs 12 Carlow 10.

Form-guide: UL Bohemians - L W W W L; Carlow - W W W W W.

Referee: Ken Spence (Ulster).

Forecast: Carlow to win.

Greystones v Malone(Dr Hickey Park)

Greystones are another of those to lose their unbeaten home record (to Carlow), which was followed by their eight-try demolition at Dolphin. Malone too have hit a wall and both will be wary of City of Derry gaining some momentum with games in hand.

Last two seasons: Malone 24 Greystones 20; Greystones 29 Malone 22.

Form-guide: Greystones - L W L L L; Malone - L W L L L.

Referee: Paul Eakin (IRFU).

Forecast: Greystones to win.

Portadown v Old Belvedere(Chambers Park)

Portadown have rediscovered their Chambers Park spirit, winning five of their six home games, and this will be a decidedly tricky obstacle for promotion aspirants Belvo. But they've shown their mettle when winning tight games before.

Last two seasons: Old Belvedere 49 Portadown 13; Portadown 6 Old Belvedere 10.

Form-guide: Portadown - W L W W L; Old Belvedere - W W L W W.

Referee: Olan Trevor (IRFU).

Forecast: Old Belvedere to win.

Wanderers v UCD(Lansdowne Road, back pitch)

After a couple of tough years, Owen Cobbe has helped Wanderers turn a corner since the turn of the year, with five wins out of six making them the division's most improved team. After stuttering at the start, though, UCD themselves have been more consistent of late.

Last two seasons: Wanderers 10 UCD 11; Didn't meet.

Form-guide: Wanderers - W W L W W; UCD - D W W W W.

Referee: Sean Buggy (Leinster).

Forecast: UCD to win.

Old Wesley v Dolphin(Donnybrook) GRIM times for Wesley, whose form has dipped alarmingly after a brief flurry of two wins in three. Since then they've lost five in a row and look set for a second relegation from Division Two in three years. In contrast, Dolphin have hit their best form of the season, having gone unbeaten in four, and should continue their climb towards the top half.

Last two seasons: Didn't meet; Dolphin 6 Old Wesley 5.

Form-guide: Old Wesley - L L L L L; Dolphin - L D W W W.

Referee: Padraig Gilmore.

Forecast: Dolphin to win.

Division ThreeGame of the day is undoubtedly the meeting of the top two at second-placed Barnhall, who are expecting their biggest crowd ever for the visit of leaders Thomond. Naas (away to Richmond), Skerries (at home to Bangor) and Trinity (at home to Suttonians) should thus stay in touch. As with the City of Derry-Midleton game in Division Two, Highfield have informed the IRFU they are unwilling to fulfill their fixture away to Ards and so that game has also been called off. Both clubs are likely to be disciplined by the union.