All-Ireland league previews

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