All-Ireland League Previews

SATURDAY

DIVISION ONE (2.30)

ST MARY'S COLLEGE v BALLYMENA, Templeville Road

Huge game for both sides. Victory would give Ballymena a huge fillip for what constitutes a very difficult run-in. St Mary's have won four matches on the bounce but this will be the first real test in the absence of captain Victor Costello: Malcolm O'Kelly returns. Ballymena's away form has been a little patchy and they have come unstuck late on in matches. Despite St Mary's recent form, Ballymena appear a little stronger up front, and in midfield.

Five game formguide: St Mary's - D W W W W; Ballymena - W L W W W.

Leading try scorers: St Mary's - Peter McKenna, Denis Hickie 4 each; Ballymena - Russell Nelson 6.

Leading point scorers: St Mary's - Mark McHugh 67; Ballymena - Neil Doak 95.

Forecast: Ballymena to win.

LANSDOWNE v BELFAST HARLEQUINS, Lansdowne Road

The visitors are making a fair fist of trying to extricate themselves from the relegation mire. They will rue coughing up a 15-0 interval lead at home to St Mary's during the week. Lansdowne ground out two wins in their last three games, exclusively reliant on their pack and the boot of outhalf David Quigley. Harlequins will try to play the rugby but it is how they fare up front that will decide their fate. Lansdowne should be a little too strong in that area.

Five game formguide: Lansdowne - L D W L W; Belfast Harlequins - L L L W L.

Leading try scorers: Lansdowne - Lorcan O'Brien, Aidan McCullen 2 each; Belfast Harlequins - Robin Morrow 4.

Leading points scorers: Lansdowne - David Quigley 63; Belfast Harlequins - Paul Hancock 54.

Forecast: Lansdowne to win.

DUNGANNON v TERENURE COLLEGE, Stevenson Park

Make or break time for today's combatants, after both suffered surprise defeats during the week. Dungannon tripped up against a resurgent Buccaneers while Terenure could not cope with a spirited last 20 minutes by conquerors Blackrock College. David Humphreys is expected to return for the home side while Terenure may be without Eric Miller again. Both teams are on 26 points and the losers will disappear to the periphery of the play-off race. Close but Dungannon to sneak home.

Five game formguide: Dungannon - D W W W L; Terenure - L W W W L.

Leading try scorers: Dungannon - Jan Cunningham 6; Terenure - David Coleman 5.

Leading points scorers: Dungannon - David Humphreys 122; Terenure - Shane Cullen 66.

Forecast: Dungannon to win.

SUNDAY

GALWEGIANS V OLD CRESCENT, Crowley Park

This is the ideal fixture - no disrespect to Old Crescent - for Galwegians as they attempt to arrest the recent slide that has seen them lose three of their last four matches. Old Crescent should have beaten Lansdowne last time out, losing out to an injury-time try. The Limerick side desperately need a victory to kick-start their fight against relegation. The Connacht side to prevail but in a competitive encounter.

Five game formguide: Galwegians - W L W L L; Old Crescent - L L L L L.

Leading try scorers: Galwegians - Gavin Duffy 5; Old Crescent - Wayne Munn 3.

Leading points scorers: Galwegians - Eric Elwood 116; Old Crescent - Billy Treacy 73.

Forecast: Galwegians to win.

DIVISION TWO (2.30)

CARLOW v SUNDAY'S WELL, Oak Park

If Carlow win they are assured of promotion to Division One, irrespective of what UCD (leaders) and Old Belvedere accomplish in their final matches. Sunday's Well will be competitive but not competitive enough.

Five game formguide: Carlow - W W L W W; Sunday's Well - W L L W L.

BECTIVE RANGERS v CITY OF DERRY, Donnybrook

A couple of slip-ups have cost Bective dearly this season while Derry are on the threshold of one of the great escapes. They have two games in hand on second bottom Greystones but are unlikely to secure their status for next season today.

Five game formguide: Bective - W W L W W; City of Derry - W L W W W.

MALONE v WANDERERS, Gibson Park

With little at stake, Wanderers look the better equipped to win this one.

Five game formguide: Malone - L L W W L; Wanderers - W W L L D.