THERE WILL be important activity both on and off the field this weekend central to the Insurance Corporation All Ireland League. The programme today has been curtailed because of Ireland's involvement in the Hong Kong Sevens, and does not include the First Division leaders Garryowen or the team in second place, St Mary's College. Their top division matches, against Young Munster and Cork Constitution respectively, are postponed.

Off the field, there should be some lively, informative and perhaps contentious debate on the league at Lansdowne Road tomorrow when all the clubs meet the officers of the IRFU to discuss next season's amended for in at for the league. They will also discuss the fact that there is no relegation from the top two divisions this season in order to enlarge them next season. Each club is entitled to send one representative to the meeting.

European participation next season is also likely to be on the agenda, but the First Division clubs decided not to go ahead with their proposed meeting with union officials which had been due to follow the initial gathering. Europe would certainly have been an issue at that.

The First Division clubs deferred the meeting to hear the debate that ensues when all the league clubs gather and to assess the feelings expressed at that meeting. They will then discuss the relevant issues as they pertain to the First Division. They felt they would not have had enough time to do that properly. They will now seek a meeting with the IRFU in the near future, probably next week.

The main focus in division one today will be on Donnybrook, where defending league champions Shannon take on Old Wesley. A 12 point win for Shannon would put them on top of the league on points difference from Garryowen, who have 12 points. But Shannon will have played a match more than Garryowen, and two more than St Mary's, who have 10 points.

The other two First Division matches involve Ballymena at home to Blackrock and Old Belvedere at home to Instonians. Neither encounter has any bearing on the outcome of the title.

Old Crescent, who did not play last week when the league was resumed, can consolidate their position at the top of the Second Division table when they meet Greystones at Dr Hickey Park. But Greystones are one of the teams very much involved in the quest for promotion now that three teams will be elevated.

Dungannon, who led the Second Division table earlier in the competition, lost heavily on their own ground to Terenure last week and cannot afford another slip when they travel to meet Sunday's Well, whose defeat last week by Clontarf effectively killed their promotion chances.

Terenure, in third place but with one match more played than Greystones, must win their encounter against NIFC today to keep in the promotion race. But following their win over Dungannon, they will be strongly favoured to take the two points from a side yet to register a win in the league. Dolphin also seek their first league win and may find that beyond their capacity against Clontarf at Castle Avenue.

Third Division leaders Monkstown will have home advantage against UCD and may make that pay a dividend in a division from which six clubs will be promoted next season UCD still entertain hopes of being among the six. Highfield, also on 12 points with Monkstown, play UCC at the Mardyke. UCC have the incentive of promotion to spur them on against their near neighbours.

City of Derry, in third place, face a very tough assignment in the visit to Bohemians, who stand two points further back on eight and need the points in the push towards promotion. Bangor, one of four clubs on six points, have borne advantage against DLSP.

The matches today should help sort out the middle of the table, with Skerries and Waterpark, both on six points, meeting at Holmpatrick. UCD are the fourth club on six points. Buccaneers and Galwegians, both out of contention, meet in Ballinasloe in a match that gives Galwegians the chance to win their first match in the league.

Trinity, who continue to lead the way in the Fourth Division, visit Queen's University, who are in third place behind Portadown. Portadown are away to sixth placed Ards, and Collegians, in fourth place, are away to CIYMS. Corinthians, who share the eight point mark with Collegians, will not be engaged as their scheduled opponents, UCG, withdrew from the league.