Charity Cups again dominate the weekend’s Fixtures as Transfield Cup commences.

After last week s upsets in the Limerick Charity Cup the semi-finals are sure to attract huge interest this weekend. The Cork Charity Cup quarter-finals are also down for decision.

After last weeks upsets in the opening round of the Limerick Charity Cup, all four sides remaining will now fancy their chances of lifting the trophy.

Young Munster s after that dramatic last minute penalty win over Shannon can receive another boost if they can see off the challenge of Thomond at Clifford Park. Thomond booked their semi-final place with a 17-3 victory over new boys Nenagh Ormond last week.

The other semi-final sees favourites U.L. Bohemian travelling to Bruff. The Third Division side had a surprising easy 35-16 victory over

Old Crescentlast week and will fancy their chances of causing another upset. U.L. must be fancied to book their final place after an impressive performance against Garryowen at Dooradoyle.

In Cork the four quarter-finals of the Charity Cup are down for decision with seven of the sides playing their first competitive game of the new season.

Dolphin and Highfield will open proceedings at Musgrave Park on Friday evening with a 6.00 kick off. While both these sides will be keeping an eye on their AIL encounter this tie should give both coaches a fair indication what they have to do before the league commences.

Dolphin have held the upper hand in recent meetings and they will be expected to book their place in next week s semi-final.

Jason Holland who has taken over the coaching duties at Midleton faces a tough start to the season with a trip to Temple Hill. Cork Constitution who have been boosted by the arrival of several new players will be hoping that they will gel as a team and should take the first step towards retaining their trophy.

At the Mardyke, U.C.C. take on Waterpark and the students may have difficulty in fielding a team. They have lost several of last year s squad and with at least twelve players being involved in Inter Provincials with Munster over the weekend; it will be a depleted side that takes the field. Waterpark will fancy their chances of a rare victory at this venue.

The remaining tie is an all Third Division affair with Clonakilty entertaining Sunday s Well at Shannon Vale. The Well were very lucky to come out of Cobh last Sunday with a 15-9 victory and they will have to show a big improvement if they are to put one over on the Clonakilty coached Declan Coppinger side.

On the Junior Front there are six games in the opening round of the Transfield Cup to be decided with holder s Shannon beginning their defence against Old Crescent.

Thurles and Clonmel meet in the semi-final of the Mansergh Cup.

FIXTURES

THURSDAY 8th SEPTEMBER
Junior 2 Friendly:Dunmanway v Bandon,Dunmanway,8.00; (K.Llewwellyn)

FRIDAY 9th SEPTEMBER
Interprovincials:
Under 21:Connacht v Munster,Sportsground,6.00;

Under 19:Connacht v Munster,Sportsground,4.00;

Cork Charity Cup Quarter-Final:Dolphin v Highfield,Musgrave Park,6.00;(O. Trevor)

Under 20 Friendly:Fermoy v Ballincollig,Fermoy,8.00;(G. Long)

SATURDAY 10th SEPTEMBER
Celtic League:Munster v Ospreys,Musgrave Park,6.00;(D. Changleng)

Junior Interprovincial:

Munster v Connacht,Kinsale,3.00;(D. Phillips)

Cork Charity Cup Quarter-Finals:

Clonakilty v Sunday’s Well,Shannon Vale,2.30;(D. O’Flynn)
Cork Constitution v Midleton,Temple Hill,2.30;(G. English)
U.C.C. v Waterpark,Curaheen Road,2.30;(D. Browne)

Limerick Charity Cup Semi-Finals:

Bruff v U.L. Bohemain,Bruff,2.30;
Young Munster v Thomond,Clifford Park,2.30;

Senior Friendly:

Old Crescent v Nenagh Ormond,Rosbrien,3.00;
Shannon v Garryowen,Coonagh,11.30;

Junior Friendly:

Highfield v Youghal,Woodleigh Park,3.00;(R. Couglin)

Junior 2 Friendly:

Shannon v Thomond,Coonagh,1.30;

Under 20 Friendly:

Sunday’s Well v Old Crescent,Musgrave Park,12.00;(J. Sheehan)

Schools Trial:

Blues v Whites,UL Grounds,2.15;

Schools Senior Friendly:

Ard Scoil Ris v Cistercian,Ard Scoil Ris,2.30;
Bandon Grammar v P.B.C.,Bandon,11.00;(T. Casey)
Midleton College v P.B.C.,Midleton,11.00;(M. Greene)

SUNDAY 11th SEPTEMBER
Transfield Cup:

Ennis v Thomond,Ennis,1.00;
Garryowen v Newcastle West,Dooradoyle,’5.00;
Richmond v Presentation,Richmond Park,12.30;
Shannon v Old Crescent,Coonagh,5.00;
U.L. Bohemian v St. Mary’s,Annacotty,’12.30;
Young Munster v Bruff,Clifford Park,12.00;

Mansergh Cup:

Clanwilliam v Cashel,Clanwilliam Park,1.30;
Newport v Kilfeacle,Newport,3.00;
Thurles v Clonmel,Thurles,12.00;

McElligott Cup:

Abbeyfeale v Castleisland,Abbeyfeale,3.00;
Killarney v Tralee,Killarney,3.00;(W. O’Connor)

Galwey Foley Cup Semi-Finals:

Tralee v Corca Dhuibhne,Tralee,3.00; (S. Buckley)
Killorglin v Castleisland,Killorglin,2.30;(M. Boyce)

Junior Friendly:

Carrick-on-Suir v Dungarvan,Carrick-on-Suir,3.00;(A. Cavialere)
Cobh Pirates v Ballincollig,Cobh,1.00;(B. Fitzgerald)
Muskerry v Douglas,Muskerry,12.00;(D. Murphy)
Old Christians v Skibbereen,Rathcooney,1.30;(T. O’Brien)
Waterford City v Waterpark,Waterford,1.00;(G. English)
Roscrea v Nenagh Ormond,Roscrea,1.00;

Junior 2 Friendly:

Clanwilliam v Cashel,Tipperary,12.00;

Cobh Pirates v Crosshaven,Cobh,12.00;(O. McCarthy)
Thurles v Roscrea,Thurles,12.30;

Schools Junior Friendly:

Ard Scoil Ris v Cistercian,Ard Scoil Ris,2.30;
Crescent College v St. Munchin’s,Crescent Comp,12.00;

Under 15 League:

Bruff v Newport,Bruff,12.00;
Ennis v Old Crescent,Ennis,11.30;
Garryowen v Newcastle West,Dooradoyle,11.30;
Richmond v Thomond,11.30;
Shannon v U.L. Bohemian,Coonagh,12.00;
St. Mary’s v Young Munster,Corbally,11.30;

Women’s Friendly:

Clanwilliam v Nenagh Ormond,Tipperary,12.00;

WEDNESDAY 14th SEPTEMBER
Schools Senior Friendly:

P.B.C. v Ard Scoil Ris,Wilton,2.30;(M. Mahon)
St. Munchin’s v PBC Bray,St. Munchin’s,2.30;

Schools Junior Friendly:

P.B.C. v Ard Scoil Ris,Wilton,2.30;(N. Horgan)
St. Munchin’s v PBC Bray,St. Munchin’s,2.30;

Under 15 League:

Newcastle West v Shannon,Newcastle West,7.00;
Newport v Richmond,Newport,6.30;
Old Crescent v Bruff,Rosbrien,6.30;
Thomond v Ennis,Fitzgerald Park,6.30;
U.L. Bohemian v St. Mary’s,Annacotty,6.30;
Young Munster v Garryowen,Derryknockane,6.30;