ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup

20th September 2006 By Munster Rugby

This year s ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup, sponsored by ODM Accountants kicks off this weekend, with seventeen teams in all set to compete in this prestigious competition.

This year s ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup, sponsored by ODM Accountants kicks off this weekend, with seventeen teams in all set to compete in the competition. This year s competition includes all of the Senior Clubs in the province along with Junior Clubs Challenge Cup champions Youghal. This weekend seven first round matches will take place, with three teams given a bye. The following weekend, ten teams compete in five Round Two matches. From the five winners, two will play in a quarter final, leaving four teams to contest for the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup semi finals.

The results of the Second Round of the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup will also determine the five teams going forward to the All Ireland Cup.

Title holders, Shannon RFC, will be aiming for their 19^th title, having claimed seven in a row last season when they defeated Dolphin in the final. Garryowen have a tremendous record in the competition, having won it 35 times and reaching the semi final stage last year and the final the previous year. Cork Constitution have taken the title 22 times. There were early exits for Sunday s Well, Highfield, Bruff, UCC, Thomond, Nenagh Ormond and Old Crescent in last year s competition, with Clonakilty, Midleton, Waterpark, Young Munster and UL Bohemians bowing out in the second round. All will be aiming to stake their claim on this prestigious title.

SPONSORS

Sponsors of the 2006/7 Senior Challenge Cup, ODM Accountants, North Main Street, Bandon, Co. Cork, are long standing supporters of Munster Rugby. They have close links with local club Bandon RFC. All three partners, Niall O Driscoll, Immediate Past President of the Munster Branch, his brother Gear id O Driscoll and Dan Murphy are all members of the West Cork club, one of the oldest in the province at 124 years this season. The Munster Senior Challenge Cup has a particular place in the hearts of all those involved in Bandon RFC, as the club won the very first Munster Senior Challenge Cup in 1886, defeating Garryowen one try to nil after a replay. This is ODM Accountants second year sponsoring the competition.

ROUND ONE

Fri 22^nd September 2006

Dolphin v Highfield, Musgrave Park, 7.30pm

Sat 23^rd September 2006

All games kick off at 2.30pm

Garryowen v Youghal, Dooradoyle

Midleton v Clonakilty, Towns Park

Old Crescent v U.C.C., Rosbrien

Thomond v Sunday’s Well, Fitzgerald Park

U.L. Bohemian v Cork Constitution, Annacotty

Waterpark v Shannon, Ballinakill

Byes – Nenagh Ormond, Young Munster, Bruff.