Domestic Rugby Preview 26th September

It is the opening round of the ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup that dominates the rugby scene this weekend as well as the semi finals in the various Munster Junior Club Cup competitions.

There are some interesting ties in the ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup with the winners of the competition qualifying for the semi finals of the All Ireland Cup in January.

Holders Young Munster face a difficult opening away to U.L. Bohemian. The Cookies will be pleased with their form to date having retained their Limerick Charity Cup title. A win would be a big boost ahead of their opening All Ireland League encounter next week. U.L. disappointed in their opening games this season and will be looking for an improvement but may have to wait another week before getting back on the winning trail.

Last years beaten finalists U.C.C. are down to play Garryowen but at this time it is unclear as to what will happen with this tie as U.C.C. are also scheduled to play in the Dudley Cup in Dublin on Saturday.

Bruff play cup experts Shannon and these sides played out a thrilling game in the Limerick Charity Cup at the start of the month with Shannon winning 23-21. It should be a close fought tie with little expected to be between them at the finish.

Third Division Nenagh Ormond are at home to Cork Constitution and the Tipperary side will be looking to cause another major upset in this competition. The Temple Hill side disappointed in the manner of their exit from last year’s competition will be anxious to prove a point and should win.

Clonmel who represent the Junior clubs will be making their debut in the competition and face a trip to Clonakilty. The Tipperary side were far from impressive in beating Waterpark last week in the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup and unless they can show a big improvement the West Cork side should advance.

There is a local derby at Musgrave Park when Dolphin play Sunday’s Well. These sides met in the Charity Cup earlier in the season with Dolphin being pushed all the way before emerging 25-15 winners. Dolphin will be favourites but can expect a difficult examination from their neighbours.

There is an all Second Division clash at Rosbrien where Old Crescent take on Midleton and the visitors will be eager to put one over their hosts.

The other tie sees Highfield at home to Thomond in what is a repeat of last season’s opening game in Limerick which Thomond won 23-11.

Because of Clonmel’s involvement in the ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup, their semi final tie against Cashel in the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup has been put back a week.

The other semi final between Crosshaven and Tralee goes ahead at the Cork seaside village. Crosshaven have upset the form book with away wins over Skibbereen and holders Kilfeacle to book their semi final place. Tralee delighted to have booked their place in the All Ireland Junior Cup will be no push over and will start as favourites to reach the final.

Holders Galbally are at home to Castleisland in the semi final of the Junior Clubs Challenge Shield. The County Limerick side have been very impressive so far this season and should advance.

The other semi final has Kinsale at home to Newcastle West. Both sides have been impressive in the earlier rounds of this competition but home advantage may give Kinsale the edge.

The Martin O’Sullivan Cup semi finals sees Waterford City making the long journey to the Kerry Gaeltacht to play Corca Dhuibhne and after two fine performances the Suirsiders should make their trip a winning one.

The other semi final has Presentation at home to Scariff. The Clare side caused a major upset with that 12-0 away win over Abbeyfeale last week and will have to produce a similar performance if they are to make it to the final.

Elsewhere Abbeyfeale are at home to Richmond in the Transfield Cup and the First Division side will be expected to reach the semi finals,

Cashel play Thurles in the semi final of the Mansergh Cup and the hosts should continue their good start to the season with another victory.

Kanturk host Bandon in the Second Round of the Cork County Cup and home advantage should see the Duhallow side advance.

Cobh Pirates play Cork Constitution in the semi final of the Dennehy Cup with the holders expected to advance despite having to travel to the East Cork venue and set up a final meeting with Ballincollig.

Bruff play Shannon at Kilballyowen Park in the semi final of the McInerney Cup and the hosts should advance to a final meeting with Richmond.

The O’Sullivan Cup (Muskerry Cup) will be played at Ballyanly between Highfield and Old Christians and after the Woodleigh Park side’s big win over Dolphin last week, they will start as favourites to advance.

FIXTURES:
FRIDAY 24th SEPTEMBER
Magners League:Glasgow Warriors v Munster,Firhill Stadium,7.30;

Under 19 Interprovincial:Munster v Connacht,Dooradoyle,7.00;

Junior 2 Friendly:Waterford City v Thomastown,Waterford,7.15;

Under 21 Friendly:Cork Constitution v Highfield,Temple Hill,7.30;

Schools Senior Friendly:Midleton College v New Ross,Midleton,3.30;

Under 19 Friendly:Clonakilty v Bandon,The Vale,6.15;

SATURDAY 25th SEPTEMBER
Under 18 Club Interprovincial:Munster v Connacht,Dooradoyle,1.00;

ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup First Round:Bruff v Shannon,Bruff,3.30;
Clonakilty v Clonmel,The Vale,2.30;
Dolphin v Sunday's Well,Musgrave Park,2.30;
Highfield v Thomond,Woodleigh Park,2.30;
Nenagh Ormond v Cork Constitution,Nenagh,2.30;
Old Crescent v Midleton,Rosbrien,2.30;
U.L. Bohemian v Young Munster,Annacotty,2.30;

Senior Friendly:Buccaneers v Garryowen,Dubarry Park,2.30;

Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Shield Semi Final:Galbally v Castleisland,Galbally,7.00;

Mansergh Cup:Cashel v Thurles,Cashel,7.30;

McInerney Cup Semi Final:Bruff v Shannon,Bruff,2.30;

North Munster Under 21 League Section A:Bruff v Garryowen,Bruff,TBA;
Young Munster v Thomond,Clifford Park,2.30;

Section B:Shannon v U.L. Bohemian,Coonagh,1.00;

Junior Friendly:Fermoy v Douglas,Fermoy,2.30;

Junior 2 Friendly:Fethard v Carrick-on-Suir,Fethard,7.00;
Old Crescent v U.L. Bohemian,Rosbrien,12.00;
St Mary's v Garryowen,Corbally,2.30;

Under 21 Friendly:Old Crescent v Nenagh Ormond, Rosbrien,11.30;

Schools Senior Friendly:St. Munchin's v Crescent Comp.,Corbally,12.00;

Schools Junior Friendly:St. Munchin's v Crescent Comp.,Corbally,12.00;

West Under 17 League:Abbeyfeale v Listowel,Abbeyfeale,12.00;
Castleisland v Killorglin,Castleisland,12.00;
Killarney v Tralee,Killarney,12.00;

West Under 15 League:Abbeyfeale v Listowel,Abbeyfeale,1.00;
Corca Dhuibhne v Kenmare,Ballydavid,12.00;

West Under 13 League:Abbeyfeale v Listowel,Abbeyfeale,12.00;
Castleisland v Killorglin,Castleisland,12.00;
Corca Dhuibhne v Kenmare,Ballydavid,12.00;
Killarney v Tralee,Killarney,12.00;

Under 19 Friendly:Midleton v Sunday's Well,Midleton,2.30;

Under 17 Blitz,Bandon,12.00; (4 refs)

Under 17 Friendly:Fermoy v Old Christians,Fermoy,12.00;
Sunday's Well v Bruff,Musgrave Park,12.00;

SUNDAY 26th SEPTEMBER
Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup Semi Final:Crosshaven v Tralee,Crosshaven,2.30;

Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Shield Semi Final:Kinsale v Newcastle West,Kinsale,2.30;

Martin O'Sullivan Cup Semi Finals:Corca Dhuibhne v Waterford City,Ballydavid,2.30;
Presentation v Scariff,Rathuard,2.30;

Munster Seconds League South:Clonakilty v Highfield,The Vale,2.30;

Cork County Cup:Kanturk v Bandon,Kanturk,2.30;

Transfield Cup: Abbeyfeale v Richmond,Abbeyfeale,3.00;

Dennehy Cup Semi Final:Cobh Pirates v Cork Constitution,Cobh,12.00;

O'Sullivan Cup Final:Highfield v Old Christians,Ballyanly,12.00;

Junior Friendly:Ballincollig v Sunday's Well,Tanner Park,2.30;
Cobh Pirates v Cork Constitution,Cobh,2.30;
Dolphin v Muskerry,Musgrave Park,12.00;
Garryowen v Ennis,Dooradoyle,4.00;
Kilfeacle v St. Mary's,Kilfeacle,2.00;
Old Crescent v Clanwilliam,Rosbrien,3.00;
Thomond v Young Munster,Fitzgerald Park,1.00;

Junior 2 Friendly:Bandon v Mallow,Bandon,12.00;
Dungarvan v Mitchelstown,Dungarvan,2.30;
Sunday's Well v Cashel,Musgrave Park,12.30;

Junior 3 Friendly:Cork Transport v Shandon,Corn Field,2.30;

North Under 14 League:Bruff v U.L. Bohemian Eagles,Bruff,11.30;
Ennis v U.L. Bohemian Hawkes,Ennis,12.00;
Estuary v Richmond,Estuary,11.30;
Kilrush v Thomond,Kilrush,11.00;
Newport v Young Munster,Newport,11.00;
Old Crescent v Newcastle West,Rosbrien,11.30;
Scariff v Shannon,Scariff,11.30;
St . Mary's v Garryowen,Corbally,11.30;

Under 19 Friendly:Young Munster v U.L. Bohemian,Derryknockane,12.00;

Under 14 Friendly:Presentation v Galbally,Presentation,11.30;

Under 13 Friendly:Young Munster v Ballina-Killaloe,Derryknockane,11.00;

Womens AIL Division 2:Clanwilliam v Thurles,College Lands,1.00;
Nenagh Ormond v Young Munster,Nenagh,1.00;
Shannon v Portlaoise,Coonagh,2.30;
Tuam v Tralee,Tuam,1.00;
Youghal v Galbally,Youghal,12.30;

TUESDAY 28th SEPTEMBER
Schools Senior Friendly:Ard Scoil Ris v Cardinal Newman College,Annacotty,2.30;
Ard Scoil Ris B v Cardinal Newman College B,Annacotty,2.30;

WEDNESDAY 29th SEPTEMBER
Under 18 Schools Interprovincial:Munster A v Leinster A,Midleton,3.00;

Bowen Shield:Bandon Grammar v P.B.C.,Bandon,2.30;
Castletroy College v Glenstal Abbey,Castletroy College,2.30;
Crescent Comp. v Villiers,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Rockwell v C.B.C.,Rockwell,2.30;

McCarthy Cup:Bandon Grammar v P.B.C.,Bandon,2.30;
Castletroy College v Glenstal Abbey,Castletroy College,2.30;
Crescent Comp. v Villiers,Dooradoyle,2.30;
Rockwell v C.B.C.,Rockwell,2.30;

Schools Under 15 League:Rockwell v Glenstal Abbey,Rockwell,2.30;
St. Munchin's v St. Clement's,Corbally,2.30;

Schools Senior Friendly:Rockwell v Glenstal Abbey,Rockwell,2.30;
High School v Newtown School,Clonmel,2.00;

Schools Junior Friendly:Ard Scoil Ris v Castletroy College,Ard Scoil Ris,2.30;
Rockwell v Glenstal Abbey,Rockwell,2.30;
High School v Newtown School,Clonmel,2.00;

Under 15 Friendly:Castletroy College v Glenstal Abbey,Castletroy College,2.30;

THURSDAY 30th SEPTEMBER
Schools Senior Friendly:Midleton College v Waterpark College,Midleton,2.00;

Schools Junior Friendly:Midleton College v Waterpark College,Midleton,2.00;