The weekend's matches previewed
SATURDAY
Division 1a
Cork Constitution v Garryowen,
Temple Hill
Bottom of the table Garryowen will have to pull off something special to win against second-placed Cork Con. The teams drew earlier in the season. Not today.
Old Belvedere v Dolphin
Anglesea Road
Old Belvedere seem to be coming back to form after a wobble. Still, the leading side on the table need to treat Dolphin and the boot of Barry Keeshan with extreme caution.
St Mary’s College v Blackrock College
Templeville Road
Two Dublin Holy Ghost academies face each other in a popular fixture. St Mary’s, in third place, need to win to keep the chasing pack away from a play-off spot.
Young Munster v Shannon
Tom Clifford Park
The home side beat Blackrock last week to put themselves within range of the play-offs. They need to continue in that vein against an inconsistent Shannon side.
Division 1b
Dungannon v Bruff
Stevenson Park
Seventh-placed Dungannon face fifth-placed Bruff without their favoured outhalf, Ireland under-20, Paddy Jackson. Against Bruff they need all they can for anything to come out of it.
Galwegians v Buccaneers
Crowley Park
Buccaneers have gone off the boil completely and have lost twice recently. They need to change tack fast and that should be today against struggling Galwegians.
Lansdowne v Clontarf
Aviva back pitch
Match of the day. The league leaders Clontarf travel across town with a view to secure a spot in the play-offs. Talented Lansdowne are a significant threat to that idea, especially at home.
UL Bohemians v UCC
Thomond Park
The students can be tricky and unpredictable but Bohemians are in form at the moment and, in fourth place, still believe a play-off place is a possibility.
- JOHNNY WATTERSON