There is a unique feel to this year's Ulster Bank All-Ireland Junior Cup final. Not only are Bangor and Dundalk first-time finalists, this will also be the first time that the decider has been held at an Ulster venue.

As we enter the final six rounds of action in Division 1A, Lansdowne are in the box seat, lying seven points clear, but only nine points currently separate the second to sixth-placed clubs.

A large crowd is expected at Crowley Park for tonight's eagerly-awaited Connacht derby between leaders Galwegians and Buccaneers, which kicks another exciting weekend of Division 1B fare.

Not unlike Division 2A, Highfield have a solid lead in Division 2B - nine points clear of Tullamore. The action kicks off on Friday night with Bruff at home to Old Crescent.

The big question is can anyone catch Old Wesley? Unbeaten in nine games, they host Nenagh Ormond on Saturday. Before that there are Friday Night Lights games in Queens, Seapoint and Skerries.

Highfield and Tullamore are setting the pace in Division 2B but the chasing pack is fairly tight with only seven points between Armagh in third and Bruff in eighth place.

Division 2A resumes after a month long break and the key tie is the meeting of the top two clubs as Old Wesley travel to Dublin rivals Blackrock College.

The Ulster Bank Club International coaching team of Paul Cunningham and Killian Keane have named an extended training squad of 32 players from 15 different clubs in advance of the two Club international fixtures.

Garryowen made it nine victories in 12 league outings with a comprehensive 39-10 triumph over Corinthians, claiming what had seemed an unlikely bonus point in very wet, windy and cold conditions in Galway.

Dublin University came through a big test of their promotion credentials when they battled past Ballymena 18-16 to leapfrog the Braidmen into third place in the Division 1B table.

Galwegians won a tense encounter away to UL Bohemians on the Thomond Park back pitch. They did it the hard way, showing great character and no little discipline to overturn a first half deficit against a dogged and determined home side.

A late trio of tries by Buccaneers earned them a 25-7 bonus point victory over Shannon in their Ulster Bank League Division 1B encounter at Dubarry Park.

Munster's Rory Scannell was in fine form for Dolphin as Division 1A's bottom side surprised play-off hopefuls UCD with a 34-15 defeat down in Cork on Saturday.

Cork Constitution head coach Tom Tierney conceded that his team were 'second best' as they fell to a four-try 34-13 defeat to Division 1A rivals Ballynahinch on Saturday afternoon.

Ballynahinch head coach Derek Suffern is hoping his side can take some of their excellent home form on the road in the coming weeks as they look to break into the top four of Ulster Bank League Division 1A.

Ballynahinch are now just one point outside of Division 1A's top four after full-back Adam Craig helped himself to a hat-trick of tries in their 34-13 bonus point success against Cork Constitution.

Having struggled past Old Belvedere last week, Division 1A leaders Lansdowne were back at full tilt on Saturday as they ran in five tries without reply to beat defending champions Clontarf 35-0 at Castle Avenue.

Having struggled past Old Belvedere last week, Division 1A leaders Lansdowne were back at full tilt today as they ran in five tries without reply to beat defending champions Clontarf 35-0 at Castle Avenue.

Dublin University came through a big test of their promotion credentials when they battled past Ballymena 18-16 to leapfrog the Braidmen into third place in the Division 1B table.